CEDAR BLUFF, Va. (RFD-TV) — When Marine veteran Joseph Bates retired to the mountains of Virginia, he never imagined a small herd of dairy goats would become a thriving business.
The Virginia Farm Bureau shares how Bates and his wife turned excess goat milk into lotions and soaps, growing Bates Family Farm into a business with products sold across the country.
Bates said farming also helped him overcome PTSD after leaving the Marine Corps and gave him a renewed sense of purpose.
Related Stories
Veteran farmer Diego Loredo shares how organizations like the Farmer Veteran Fellowship Fund are helping American Heroes overcome the initial challenges of entering agriculture and invest in their operations.
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins says the department has hired more than 240 veterans and military spouses, more than doubling its original goal of 100 hires in 100 days.
Army Majors Eric and Angela Czaja use regenerative grazing to improve military training lands and help veterans build agricultural careers through Boots to Roots.
Hunting With Heroes Wyoming connects disabled veterans through hunting and outdoor experiences, supported by landowners, businesses, volunteers, and donors.
The Farmer Veteran Coalition is honoring those who served while reflecting on the unity that followed the attacks.
The “100 Hires in 100 Days” initiative has already drawn more than 1,000 applicants.
