The Farmer Veteran Coalition held its Stakeholders Conference in November, including a panel with the director of the Whatcom-based Growing Veterans group, Chris Brown. Brent Elrod (far left), National Program Leader – Community & Rural Development, USDA, led the panel with directors of four leading regional programs. From left to right: Colin Archipley (USMC), Archi’s Acres VSAT in California; James McCormick (Army), Veterans and Warriors to Agriculture in West Virginia; Chris Brown (USMC), Growing Veterans, here in Washington; and Mike Lewis (Army), Growing Warriors in Kentucky. The FVC is a nonprofit that connects military veterans with careers, training, and places to heal on America’s farms. The conference was held in Des Moines, Iowa Nov. 14-15. COURTESY PHOTO