Supporting Veterans Year-Round With Resources for Success

By Olivia De Young

Returning home from military service can be challenging, whether soldiers served overseas or remained stateside. Life at home has a different cadence. Entering the workforce again can feel strange. Friends and family, no matter how loving and supportive, often don’t understand veterans’ experiences.

Purdue Extension, in partnership with the National AgrAbility Project and Indiana AgrAbility, offers resources to help veterans pursue their goals, from homesteading to healthy habits and everything in between.

Combining Extension and AgrAbility Resources 

The 1990 Farm Bill established the AgrAbility program to help farmers with disabilities through USDA funds. Veterans — many of whom were coming back from overseas conflicts — were among the first clients. AgrAbility has expanded its scope, but veterans are still one of the largest groups the organization serves.

“We're not seeing as many veterans coming back with disabilities, but there's still a transition to civilian life,” said Ed Sheldon, AgrAbility farm and veteran engagement coordinator.