PLEASE NOTE: APPLICATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED THROUGH THE HERO AGRICULTURE WEBSITE. INSTRUCTIONS ARE IN THE "HOW TO APPLY" SECTION BELOW.
Hero Agriculture is growing and looking to add a part-time staff member to work directly with the veterans we serve. We prefer to hire a veteran but will consider other candidates whose experience has prepared them to connect with veterans. Are you a farmer who wants to help veterans build purposeful lives after service? Are you a social worker or case manager who wants to learn to farm? This could be the chance you’ve been looking for to use your expertise while learning something new and exciting.
We offer veterans hands-on farming training, connect them to a broad network of farming and support resources, and help them address challenges that get in the way of building purposeful lives. It’s meaningful work with life-changing results. Even when it’s dirty and messy, we know how to have good clean fun.
Hero Ag doesn’t just make a difference—we are different. You’ll go through an extended onboarding process to learn how we work with veterans. Meeting veterans where they are, building personal connections, finding creative ways to solve unique problems, and following up on every referral we make are cornerstones of our approach.
Hero Agriculture’s Mission and Work
Mike Reynolds founded Hero Agriculture in early 2020, after a long recovery from a traumatic brain injury he sustained while deployed to Iraq as an Army Flight Medic. His recovery included a series of disappointments that led him to realize he could never again be a medic, the job he’d wanted to do since age 4. At his very lowest, Mike volunteered at a farm, just to keep himself busy. He was surprised to find comfort in the rhythms of farming, interaction with animals, and purposefulness of the work. It gave him hope and, eventually, new purpose as a farmer. He created Hero Ag to help other veterans do the same and now serves as our Chief Farming Officer (CFO).
Hero Ag is all about better living through farming. Farming offers therapeutic benefits, creates a sense of purpose, and helps us connect with veterans. While teaching veterans to farm, we also teach them to think like farmers—to make mistakes and not panic, solve complex problems one piece at a time, pace themselves, adapt, and know when to ask for help. Our formula for farming success has four parts:
1. Choose the right farming path
2. Learn the basics
3. Develop a network of farming resources
4. Clear away potential obstacles to success
Farming together gives us an opportunity to help veterans identify all kinds of issues they want to work on and connect them to the right resources. This means that in addition to farming and teaching, our work with veterans includes being a connector, advocate, sounding board, and accountability partner.
Farming Mentor Duties and Responsibilities
Teach, train, and coach veterans (30%)
You will work with veterans one-on-one and in small groups to help them learn to farm. This includes:
- Teaching basic farming skills
- Taking veterans to visit other farming resources
- Working with veterans at their own farms and backyard gardens
- Helping them problem-solve by asking questions
- Helping them find constructive ways to use their time and manage their time well
- Helping them plan and track farming projects
