Frontline to Farm

04/14/2026

This is a reminder about Frontline to Farm’s annual beginning farmer training for military veterans from June 8-12, 2026 at Appalachian State University in Boone, NC. Please share with your contacts. The deadline has been extended to April 30, 2026 to get the word out. See last year’s program at Events for a sample; the 2026 program will be similar. The training is an opportunity for farmer veterans to hear expert ag speakers, visit working farms, network at farm dinners, share experiences, and build community in local food systems. Alumni of the program are eligible for advanced training each following summer. For questions, contact [email protected] or call Anne Fanatico at 828-262-6813.

03/28/2026

Please share upcoming beginning farmer training.

03/27/2026

Frontline to Farm (F2F) will hold its annual beginning farmer training for military veterans June 8-12, 2026 in Boone, NC. Frontline to Farm is a grant-funded program of Appalachian State University. We train veterans in sustainable farming and help them connect to resources. We hold classroom sessions in the mornings and tour local farms in the afternoons. We hold a farm meal together for networking. See past trainings (2025) on the website for a sample schedule. This training is free at our campus in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains. Lodging is in a dormitory, meals are in the cafeteria, and we use a campus bus for transportation.

We also hold alumni training for previous participants. Alumni are invited to return for advanced trainings, meet with consultants, and connect with cohorts and new participants. The F2F Alumni training is June 10-12, 2026.

See the https://frontlinetofarm.appstate.edu website (Events tab) to apply. The deadline is April 15, 2026, and space is limited.

Please share with your networks. For questions, contact [email protected] or call Anne Fanatico at 828-262-6813.

03/10/2026

Great farming conferences in Asheville this winter. Each February, Appalachia Sustainable Agriculture Project holds the Business of Farming, and each March, Organic Growers School holds their Spring Conference. Both are very valuable learning and networking opportunities. Frontline to Farm exhibited and covered registration for alumni of our program. Jodi Hoover attended OGS with her son Kai and also farm manager. Winter is a great time for planning.

02/02/2026

Hi Frontline to Farm friends. Winter is a good time for making farm production plans and connecting. Frontline to Farm staff and partners will be in Asheville for some upcoming winter conferences and we would love to see you. Join educator Anne Fanatico at ASAP’s The Business of Farming (Feb 28, 2026) or farmer veteran Cory Byrk at Organic Growers School (March 7 and 8, 2026). We will cover registration costs for five farmer veterans at each conference and would love to meet with you there. We will also have an exhibit table. These conferences are great learning opportunities or networking methods for sustainable agriculture. Email Anne ([email protected]) by Feb 11, 2026 if you are interested. First-come, first serve; preference given to alumni of Appalachian State University’s Frontline to Farm training.

12/19/2025

Sharing from Carolina Farm Stewardship:
IMPORTANT NOTICE FOR FARMERS:

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has established a national January 15th, 2026, batching deadline for the first funding round of key conservation programs.

Available programs:
Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP)
The Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) helps landowners, land trusts, and other entities protect, restore, and enhance wetlands or protect working farms and ranches through conservation easements.

Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)
The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) is NRCS’ flagship conservation program that helps farmers, ranchers and forest landowners integrate conservation into working lands.
Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP)

The Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) helps you build on your existing conservation efforts while strengthening your operation.

Regenerative Pilot Program (EQIP & CSP)
Regenerative Agriculture is a conservation management approach that emphasizes natural resources through improved soil health, water management, and natural vitality for the productivity and prosperity of American agriculture and communities.

Have questions about these programs? Looking for resources to support the application process? Want one-on-one guidance navigating EQIP?
CFSA can help!
Conservation Planning Technical Assistance: https://carolinafarmstewards.org/conservation-planning/
CFSA Resources on NRCS and EQIP: https://carolinafarmstewards.org/resources/?_resource_tags=nrcseqip
Email CFSA Soil Health Technician Amelia Bruss: [email protected]

Explore our articles, guides, commentaries, and how-tos for farmers & growers in the Carolinas.

11/10/2025

Thinking of farmer veterans for Veteran's Day. Frontline to Farm is a program at Appalachian State University that helps veterans explore farming. We thank you for your service and want to share two new videos on Frontline to Farm and also on Issues that farmer veterans face. Highlights from the 2025 summer training as well.

08/25/2025

As we head into the end of the summer and the start of the school year, we're wishing we were back on Shipley Farms Beef! This year's farm dinner was one for the books!!🌱🍔

08/04/2025

As summer continues to heat up, we’re still thinking about that delicious ice cream from our visit to Cheek Farmstead Creamery!🍦☀️

Here at F2F, we hope everyone has been taking advantage of the summer sun and enjoying the outdoors as much as possible!!

07/10/2025

From Lynn...

It has been an incredible 5 years working with Anne and serving both my fellow Veterans as they transition to farming and our community. I'm sad to say that I am moving on to other projects and will no longer be co-Director of Frontline to Farm.

I am so thankful to everyone who made my work possible and for the connections that I've made with training participants, supporters, community and farm partners, and social media friends.

I have no doubt that the good work will go on and look forward to seeing how Frontline to Farm continues its mission in the future!


College of Fine and Applied Arts at Appalachian State University
Appalachian State University Department of Communication
Appalachian State University's Department of Sustainable Development