Bennington veterans farm incubator pushed forward despite grant loss; district seeks local partners and staffing support

Mike Hernandez, identified as district manager for Bennington County Conservation District, updated the Senate Institutions Committee on a veterans farm incubator project that aims to train veterans for agricultural careers and improve local farm succession.

Hernandez said the project had relied on a Working Minds Climate Corps workforce grant that supported five workers; when the grant ended the district had to lay off those workers, setting the project back. He said local businesses provided volunteer support and the district is pursuing AmeriCorps placements to replace capacity.

Hernandez said the incubator was seeded in part by congressionally directed spending secured by Rep. Peter Welch that allocated about $3.2 million across the regional food initiative, with roughly $115,000 used for the veterans component. The district has leased part of the veterans' home property to create a cooperative enterprise and is lining up nonresident farms to host cohort members.

The program’s goal is to provide veterans with three years of agricultural activity and receipts to qualify for Farm Service Agency business and equipment loans and to connect new farmers with conserved land opportunities through groups such as the Vermont Land Trust.

Committee members commended the program and asked follow‑up questions; Hernandez said he expects another round of interviews for cohort participants and is hopeful about hiring to expand capacity.