Founder of Warriors Hoof Haven outlines farm-based and outdoors supports for veterans

Dalton Schmidt, founder and president of Warriors Hoof Haven, told the committee the group runs four core program areas — horses for mental-health work, farming for physical activity, outdoors recreation (fishing, kayaking, boats) and community outreach. He said all services are free to members and described in-kind assistance the group provides, including weekly egg donations to the Truman VA food pantry and food bundles for veterans.

"Everything we do is free for our members," Schmidt said, detailing farm operations that currently include about 170 meat chickens and a plan to expand produce as the farm scales up. He said the organization leverages donations and grants (citing Walmart, Veterans United Foundation and a Vortex Optics donation) and reported roughly 118 sponsors and donors who have contributed since outreach began.

Schmidt described efforts to remove financial barriers to outdoor recreation (donated deer permits, kayak and boat access) and to rent or loan farm tools and processing equipment to veterans. He said volunteers and sponsors provide transport and support for on-farm activities and that the group hopes to expand farm produce into the food bundles they distribute.

Committee members expressed appreciation and interest in coordinating site visits. Schmidt said his organization operates on roughly 13 acres near Thomas Hill Lake and is scaling operations to increase member services. No formal committee action followed the presentation.