The Gator XUV835M Honor Edition is available in an open-station configuration, as well as an HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) cab configuration. In addition to the new desert sand exterior color panels, the Honor Edition models come standard with the following:

Military-inspired model numbers, brand, and graphics:

• Black alloy wheels with Maxxis Bighorn 2.0 Extreme Terrain radial tires
• Black vinyl 40/60 split-bench seat
• Sport steering wheel
• Half-doors (open station models)
• Black roof
• Stone headliner (HVAC cab models)
• Brush guard
• Deluxe cargo box with spray-in liner, brake lights, and taillights
• Cargo box power lift

All model-year 2022 full-size Gator Utility Vehicles, including the Honor Edition models, can be ordered with Predator Heavy Duty all-terrain radial tires. These are an excellent option for use on hard surfaces or intermediate off-road applications. Predator tires provide additional shock absorption and increased tread life while reducing ground pressure and terrain impact.

In conjunction with the launch of the Gator XUV835M Honor Edition, John Deere is supporting The SAVE Farm, which provides farming, ranching, and agribusiness training and healing programs for service members, veterans, and their families.

“John Deere has a long history of supporting the military and our veterans who have sacrificed so much to protect this country. We are proud to honor these brave individuals through our new special edition Gator Utility Vehicle while supporting organizations like The Save Farm,”

said Maureen McCormack, Go-to-Market Manager, Gator Utility Vehicles.

Additionally, John Deere offers the Career Skills Program in partnership with the U.S. Department of Defense SkillBridge program, allowing transitioning service members the opportunity to match their leadership and technical skills with jobs at John Deere. The SkillBridge program helps servicemen and women begin their post-military careers by interning at a John Deere production facility or dealership during the last five months of their military commitment.

The post John Deere Launches Gator XUV Honor Edition Utility Vehicle as a Tribute to Veterans appeared first on North America FarmQuip Magazine.

Many veterans return home feeling lost, without purpose.

They seek that “new mission” they grew so accustomed to during their time in the military. An agricultural non-profit is helping with just that.

When Michael O’Gorman founded Farmer Veteran Coalition (FVC) in the back of his pick-up truck in 2008, he thought he could help our soldiers have meaningful careers and find healing on our nation’s farms.

At that time no one was connecting veterans with the farming community. Today there are more than 250 organizations supporting this military-to-agriculture movement.

Simply put, FVC helps veterans pursue careers in agriculture. For these men and women, farming has become their new mission. FVC recognizes that agriculture additionally offers purpose, opportunity, and physical and psychological benefits.

This is the difference-maker for many veterans in their civilian re-integration.

With Veterans Day upon us, the team of Farmer Veteran Coalition is reflecting on the thousands of farmer veterans they have supported in pursuit of new agricultural endeavors, including those highlighted here.

This year, after a decade of leading the charge, O’Gorman passed the pitchfork to newly appointed executive director Jeanette Lombardo. Raised by an Air Force veteran father, Lombardo grew up in Erie, Pennsylvania, on a family dairy farm. She spent decades in agricultural banking and now is eager to carry forward the single best way that FVC assists veterans – through their Fellowship Fund.

A small grant program, the Fellowship Fund purchases farm equipment the member has identified as crucial to their operation. The program has funded $3 million in equipment to over 600 veterans.

Veterans like Alex Jauregui. A double-amputee, Alex lost both legs when he stepped on an IED in Afghanistan during his fourth deployment. Now he finds new purpose in his Fury Bees operation in Northern California. “Farming makes me feel enabled,” shares the former Staff Sergeant. “I never would have imagined beekeeping but it’s been very therapeutic.” FVC teamed up with Work Vessels for Veterans and Semper Fi Fund to purchase a Hummerbee forklift, which significantly reduces the physical impact on Alex’s body.

Veterans like Ladonna Avakian & Heather Paterson. Twin sisters, both women served in the Air Force. Both returned home to Oregon with service-related disabilities. They were awarded a grant to fund an air sprayer for their Hollyaire orchard where they primarily farm sour cherries, hazelnuts, and holly under the Homegrown By Heroes label. Heather reflects:

“It’s small grants like this one that makes us feel valued and supported. Farming is all about community, and FVC really is its own community. To be physically active, outside, working with my twin, and having our family out there – it’s really an American dream.”

Ben Misko, a Marine who suffered a brain injury during combat, has found healing in his Restless Roots farm. He grows vegetables and cut flowers in Central Pennsylvania.

“Having a brain injury can be very frustrating at times, but animals provide a reprieve for me. Farming keeps me sound in my mind, and the animal and plant care keeps me on schedule,”

shares the former Motor Vehicle Operator.

“I asked for this equipment so I can provide for more animals without additional financial burden.”

Michael Trost, who served a decades-long Army career, suffered gunshot wounds that resulted in the amputation of his right leg and the reconstruction of his hand using his toes. After 30 surgeries and two years of hospitalization, he turned to hop growing in Tennessee.

“Starting this farm has given me a new mission, purpose, and direction in my life. I feel more alive than I have been,”

expressed Michael, explaining that the farm is a major part of his post-service recovery.

“FVC believed in me and awarded me funds to install fencing around my hopyard. Now we are using the farm to help other wounded veterans. We were made to become farmers. We love to be a part of something bigger than ourselves.”

Lovay Wallace-Singleton, the president of FVC’s North Carolina chapter, served 20 years in the Navy before founding Veterans Employment Base Camp and Organic Garden. VEBCOG provides temporary employment for post-war veterans transitioning back to civilian life, teaching urban farming skills. A Fellowship Fund grant helped Lovay repair her farm’s hoop house after hurricane Florence struck and flooded her property.

And James Webb, whose career as an Army Ranger ended when he was hit by a drunk driver while riding his motorcycle near Fort Benning.

“After my accident and getting medically retired, I lost the career I wanted and worked hard for, and lost the brotherhood unlike anything I had ever known,”

lamented the veteran who comes from a long line of military service.

“Once I realized I could use horses to work cattle – my whole world changed.”

He now operates Conway Cattle Company in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, and last year spoke at FVC’s national conference in Austin on the panel ‘Rangers on the Range’, featuring five former Army rangers all now ranching cattle.

When FVC was first established, the plan was simple: find a way to help these veterans, and then tell their story. For Michael O’Gorman, getting to work with the men and women of FVC on their own individual journeys to becoming farmers has made it the most rewarding thing he has done.

“I’m really proud of the organization that I started and watched grow,”

shared the founder.

“But we’re still a fairly young organization and are dedicated to helping the farmer veterans out there.”

For as many veterans as FVC has helped, there are still more in need of support.

And the stakes are high, as Marvin Frink – who started Briarwood Cattle Farm in North Carolina to cope with post-service PTSD – shows us.

“I am just so thankful for [Michael O’Gorman] and the hard work he’s done for us. I can openly say it – [Michael] saved my life and I’m very thankful for him. He came to me when I was in a very bad, very dark place, and he pulled me out of it.”

Source: Farmer Veteran Coalition

The post Honoring Veterans Every Day at Farmer Veteran Coalition appeared first on North America FarmQuip Magazine.

Since 1976, Neil Smith has represented JCB, the world’s largest privately-owned manufacturer of construction, agriculture, and defense equipment, in a number of roles, most recently as the head of the company’s North American demonstration team.  But you can also find him in the Guinness Book of World Records as the holder of the record for the longest trip made in an excavator, or as the driver of the world-famous 100 mph drag-racing backhoe, the JCB GT. Today the company celebrated the achievements of Smith, whose career with JCB took him to over 50 countries and whose skills and ‘can-do’ attitude, have left a lasting impact on countless team members’ lives.

Speaking at today’s ceremony at the company’s headquarters in Pooler, Georgia JCB North America President and CEO, Richard Fox-Marrs commented on Smith’s career:

Neil’s initial mission in North America was to set up the demo facility and he set it up well, putting the same exacting standards in place in Savannah that he’d seen in the UK. He really did create an excellent facility and team that has stood the test of time. All of us here at JCB wish Neil the very best in his retirement, we are extremely grateful for all of his contributions to the success of the company in his 44-year career, and he will be held in the highest regard.

Beginning a 44-year career

Born in Rocester, United Kingdom, the home of JCB’s World Headquarters, working for JCB was a natural fit for Smith as both his father and older brother both worked for JCB.

“I walked past JCB every day to get to secondary school, says Smith. In fact, at 12 or 13 years old, my friends and I were walking home and decided to stop into the Marketing Department to pick up brochures for a school project.  It was this experience that made me realize just how great of a company JCB is, and I knew then that this was where I wanted to be one day.”

Flash forward a few years and Smith would find himself joining the ranks of JCB in the machine shop, Bay 1 to be exact, working with numerically controlled machines.  Smith served in several other roles at JCB until joining the UK Demonstration Team in 1980 where he spent his first six months learning the ins and outs of the JCB backhoe in order to perform with the world-famous JCB Dancing Diggers.  After his initial six months of training, Smith’s first Dancing Diggers performance was at a global construction equipment show called Bauma held in Munich, Germany in 1980.

“What’s Your Next Move”

For years Smith supported global JCB events from based in the UK, including trade shows, dealer events, and even customer installations.  But why leave the UK? When asked “What brought you to the United States?” Smith laughs with a knowing laugh and says, “That’s a funny story.”

And as the story unfolds, it sounds more like a movie plot than an equipment company job offer. Smith says in 2000 he came across from the UK to support JCB Marketing efforts with the Superbowl in Atlanta, GA. After the event, John Patterson, JCB Group CEO at the time, said to Smith “What’s your next move?” and it was then that Smith made a statement that would change his life, “I’ve always wanted to move to the States.”

Six months later, Smith and his wife and their two daughters would move to the United States so that Smith could help open JCB’s North American headquarters in Savannah, GA, and lead the North American Demonstration Team.

Smith’s career in the States has provided him a number of unique opportunities, from driving the “Backhoe Across America,” to creating Santa’s sleigh for The Lady Bamford Center for Early Childhood Development, to designing and building one of the region’s most enjoyable mud run courses, and becoming the driver of the JCB GT.

When the subject of the JCB GT comes up, Smith says, with a glint in his eye, that he was in the “wrong place at the wrong time.”  The JCB GT is the drag racing backhoe that can reach speeds over 100 mph thanks to its supercharged 572 big block Chevrolet V8 engine.  After a chance walk past a manager’s window, Smith is one of only 2 people in the global company who is certified to drive the GT.  But it’s through the GT that Smith had several experiences of a lifetime, including drag racing down a professional test track and spending time with the television show “Top Gear.”

During his final days in the office at JCB, Smith recounts the number of once-in-a-lifetime opportunities that his career at JCB has afforded him.  And when asked what his secret to working at the same place for 44 years is, he smiles and says “It’s been a privilege to do what I do. I’ve been fortunate to never have woken up and said ‘I have to go to work’ it’s more like ‘I get to go to work’.”

Source: JCB

The post JCB celebrates retirement of career veteran appeared first on North America FarmQuip Magazine.

These four new state organizations join a growing network of state chapters now numbering 13 that boast ties to a national organization dedicated to cultivating a new generation of farmers and food leaders while helping our veterans with their new post-service mission.

The Farmer Veteran Coalition (FVC) is a non-profit that helps veterans pursue careers in agriculture. Headquartered in Davis, California, they service a network of over 20,000 veteran members nationwide. FVC works with the agricultural community, partners and sponsors to support those who served our country once by defending it, and now serve a second time as farmers feeding it.

Many operate their own independent farms.

Michael O’Gorman, the project’s Founder and Chief Agricultural Officer, says:

“Ever increasing numbers of our military veterans come from rural areas. We find ways to offer them opportunities in agriculture. We assist veterans obtaining everything from equipment, business plans, financial advice and training.”

Rooted in its strong belief that veterans possess the unique skills and character needed to strengthen rural communities and create sustainable food systems, the organization recognizes that agriculture additionally offers veterans purpose, opportunity, and physical and psychological benefits.

Already with chapter presence in Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, New York, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, and Washington, FVC has a major impact at the local level.

Chapters are effective at integrating farmer veterans into local agricultural communities. They bridge the gap between a nationally driven movement and resources at the state/county level to help them achieve success in agriculture. They are essential for ensuring members are aware of regional opportunities.

FVC relies heavily on its state leaders to connect with members; they offer an additional way to personalize the farmer veteran experience to individual needs.

“Because national travel remains uncertain, our chapters may be the first to organize local gatherings and on-farm training opportunities that are so important to our members,

shared O’Gorman, whose greatest pride is helping these veterans with their new mission.

“Even as we are unable to engage in person on a larger scale, chapter organizers are networking with local farmer veterans through teleconference capabilities; the growth is occurring despite COVID-19.”

This, in part, fueled FVC’s goal for significant chapter development in 2020.

To facilitate this growth, FVC standardized the governance of chapters last year.  In Austin last November for their national Stakeholders Conference, more than 200 veterans dedicated an extra day to learn about building presence in their states showing their commitment to serving others and explanding Farmer Veteran Coalition impact across the U.S.

Arkansas, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee are the first to emerge as official new chapters since that gathering.

“Having these four new state chapters moves us one step closer toward our long-term vision of regional expansion in sync with the USDA’s ten farm production regions,”

beamed Jeanette Lombardo, who recently took over as FVC’s Executive Director in July.

“We have committed considerable time and resources towards developing more active chapters as we move into 2021.”

The new chapters at a glance…

Arkansas

“We are humbled to serve the veteran farmers of Arkansas and come alongside the national organization as we become a voice and source of support for an incredible community of Americans.”

– Michael Sparks, President
•   Serving 500 Arkansas members
•   Primary crop is rice, but ag in the state is diverse
•   Formation started in the Fall of 2019 with the Vets4Ag Summit – a trifecta of Arkansas Farm Bureau Federation, Arkansas Dept of Veteran Affairs, and the Arkansas Dept of Agriculture.
•   Jason Smedley of Arkansas Farm Bureau led the charge.  He is a Marine Corps veteran and a small farmer himself, and now holds a seat on the chapter board.

North Carolina

“‘To be rather than to seem,’ is the state motto of North Carolina. That is what we are seeking to do with the launch of FVC of North Carolina. To be supportive of the military members who have served this country. To be part of the backbone of the agricultural industry which is No. 1 in the state of North Carolina. To be what we are: veterans who are farmers and ranchers, in service once again to our country.”

– Lovay Wallace Singleton, President
•   Serving 1,000 North Carolina members
•   Top crops are cotton, soybean and corn
•   Wallace-Singleton is the Founder of Veterans Employment Base Camp and Organic Garden.  She was essential in getting the team across the line. Her dedication and commitment are a testament to how she treats every challenge in life – one step at a time, and you will get it done!
•   Farm Bureau NC was critical in ensuring the chapter’s formation. Debbie Hamrick has been on the organizing committee since its inception and motivated them to the win every step of the way.

South Carolina

“We are so excited that South Carolina is the newest addition to the Farmer Veteran Coalition family. We know that our chapter will provide the support needed across the Palmetto state to help mobilize South Carolinians to feed America.”

– Matthew Rutter, President
•   Serving 500 South Carolina members
•   Veterans farming 800,000 acres of the state
•   One in ten South Carolina adults are veterans, with South Carolina ranking ninth in the United States in military retiree population.
•   Members grow a tremendous variety of products from truffles to apples to commodity crops to livestock.
•   Chapter President, Matthew Rutter of Project Victory Gardens, is an eighth generation South Carolinian.  He strongly advocated for a state chapter, drawing support from the South Carolina Secretary of Veteran’s Affairs, the Commissioner of Agriculture, and numerous stakeholders.

Tennessee

“The creation of the Tennessee Chapter of the Farmer Veteran Coalition is the culmination of months (and in some cases, years) of hard work by a great team of people with a shared interest in supporting veterans in agriculture.  We look forward to creating a stronger community of farmer veterans across the state and finding new ways to network and share resources.”

– Ron Bridges, President
 

•   Serving 1,000 Tennessee members
•   Initially started their work in 2017 and have patiently waiting to launch while National revamped the chapter ordinance.  They quickly became one of the first to do so under the new process.
•   Ron Bridges is an Army veteran and professor of biology at Pellissippi State Community College.
•   Tim Prather, now retired from University of Tennessee Extension, was essential in making this chapter happen.

The post Farmer Veteran Coalition announces new state chapters appeared first on North America FarmQuip Magazine.