Utilizing peer to peer learning and a regional approach to connect Idaho’s farmer veterans with risk management education and each other
Agricultural Issues
Ariel Agenbroad
Area Extension Educator, Community Food Systems and Small Farms
University of Idaho Extension
Boise
Abstract
Our program was implemented between April 2024 and September 2025 and covered agricultural risk management education related to production, marketing, financial, legal and human risk among military veterans pursuing agricultural enterprises. Our primary target audience was veteran farmers and ranchers. Our prior experience connecting with these audiences revealed that most of these individuals and their families are new to agriculture. Our project planned, coordinated, delivered and evaluated risk management education statewide through intensive, two-day workshops with tours across Idaho. These workshops utilized Extension faculty, the Farmer Veteran Coalition Idaho Chapter, USDA and other agency professionals, and experienced veteran farmers and ranchers. Our project also developed, presented, and evaluated 10 one-hour live webinars and 10 podcast interviews, with two webinars and two podcasts dedicated to each risk topic area. This project combined University of Idaho Extension expertise, agricultural agency personnel and the Farmer Veteran Coalition Idaho Chapter to foster peer-to-peer learning in each component. Overwhelmingly, our program evaluations rated the peer-to-peer networking as one of the most valuable components of the project. We reached 421 total people through all the live and recorded webinars, podcasts and in person workshops. We engaged 41 individuals through regional workshops. Our post-program evaluations indicate that participants increased their understanding of risk, whole farm planning, market analysis, climate and enterprise analysis, and the regulatory landscape. They learned more about the financial risk associated with current or planned enterprises, and how to make decisions to guide future profitability. They met with providers one on one to learn how to protect their valuable assets and future production with insurance programs. And they engaged in training to better guard their bodies, their mental health and their future in agriculture by learning how to prevent injury, farm more safely, and by establishing a supportive network of veteran peers. We believe our lessons learned are not unique to Idaho veterans, and that the tools and techniques our participants found valuable could be implemented by other Extension professionals seeking to engage more meaningfully with veteran audiences.
Authors: Ariel Agenbroad, Connie May
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Ariel Agenbroad Area Extension Educator, Community Food Systems and Small Farms, University of Idaho Extension, Idaho, 83714
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Connie May Program Coordinator, Veteran Outreach, University of Idaho Extension, Farmer Veteran Coalition - Idaho Chapter, Idaho, 83714