More vets in farming is college’s goal

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The Associated Press

A combine harvester is seen as it works a grain field while harvesting barley on June 17, 2014 in Milford, Delaware. The equipment uses sensors and computers to help drive the combine along the same route as the crops were planted, judge the composition of a crop, GPS driven generate crop yield reports and other sophisticated functions. AFP PHOTO/Brendan SMIALOWSKI (Photo credit should read BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images)

PARKERSBURG, W.Va. — West Virginia University at Parkersburg is joining a statewide effort to bring more veterans into farming or a related agribusiness.

The West Virginia Department of Agriculture says Parkersburg is the first college to participate in the Veterans and Warriors to Agriculture project.

Started in 2009, the program is aimed at helping veterans feed themselves and their neighbors. Since then, the program has grown to more than 100 West Virginia veterans, who are now farmers or involved in agribusiness.

Veterans and Warriors is already partnering with beekeepers and educational farms.

The idea behind the program is to ease the emotional stress of veterans through farming.

WVU Parkersburg has an agricultural program leading to a one-year certificate or two-year associate degree.

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