Vets on the Farm

12/23/2025

Head on over to the The Scale House Market for all of your last minute, LOCAL gifts needs (and some wants.

12/23/2025

Last season, they went above and beyond to grow pumpkins; traveling long distances, juggling full-time work, and doing everything by hand to meet growing demand. They are hoping to find irrigated ground closer to home this year to make the season more sustainable.

If you know of irrigated land within about an hour of Medical Lake and it is available to lease, please reach out. Community connections make agriculture possible.

Rusty Truck Ranch

Last year we leased a field in Quincy, WA (about 2 hrs from our home in Medical Lake) to grow pumpkins. We spent about half the Summer in that area tending to the field, and I took a nursing contract in near-by Moses Lake as I still work full time.

We started, planted and weeded the field ourselves (and hauled hives out to the land) which was a big commitment and a lot of travel time.

Why would we do this? Our Ranch is dry land and pumpkins require water that we just don’t have. Our attendance to the Ranch has grown and this is what we need to keep up with demand.

We are excited to grow again this year, but we are looking to find a field closer to home to ease the burden so that we can focus on other things.

How close? With 60ish minutes. We grew 10 acres last year but we could probably make do on 5-7 acres. Know someone who might be interested in leasing? Message us!

12/20/2025

BIG HONEY ENERGY! 🐝🍯

From packages of 🐝 to🍯 on the shelf

Our beekeeping has been a journey; learning, tending hives, trusting the process, and working and watching it all come together. This afternoon we stocked the shelves at Scale House Market and in less than 15 minutes, 5 jars sold.

We will be at the Scale House tomorrow, Saturday, 12/20, 8am-4pm (or until we sell out), handing out samples and sharing the story behind the honey. Come say hi, taste the harvest, and see what all the BUZZ is about.

Veteran led, locally harvested honey. Every jar supports training, stewardship, and the future of Vets on the Farm.

Buying a jar does more than sweeten your day, it helps keep Vets on the Farm in the hands of the people who steward it. Thank you for supporting veteran-led agriculture.

Please consider a donation. Your donations will help us purchase the land the farm calls home to enable us to continue our mission to grow Veterans, Community & Connections. https://tinyurl.com/mt655d2n

The Scale House Market
Spokane Conservation District

12/18/2025

Empowering Farmers and Ranchers with Disabilities Through Assistive Technology

Thursday, January 8, 2026, 10-11am, Virtual

Join this session to learn how assistive technology is transforming agriculture for farmers and ranchers with disabilities and how we can build more inclusive rural communities together.

During the session you will explore the physical, cognitive, economic, and social challenges faced in daily farm operations, and highlight practical tools and adaptive solutions that help producers thrive.

You should attend if you are working in agriculture, especially farmers, ranchers, and those supporting people with disabilities.

Learn More & Register: https://tinyurl.com/yc8h4rjd

12/17/2025

Climate Action for Agriculturists: Building Resilience in the West
This online, self-paced and award-winning course by Farmer Campus in collaboration with agroecology expert Dr. Clara Nicholls is specially designed for farmers and ranchers across the West. Whether you’re exploring climate resilience for the first time or looking to deepen your existing practices, this course offers invaluable insights and practical tools to start building resilience today.

By taking this course, you will:
• Create a Climate Resilience Action Plan for your farm or ranch
• Increase your farm or ranch’s ability to adapt to the impacts of climate change and reduce risks from climate variability
• Connect with experts and peers to share best practices and strategies
• Explore cost-benefit and decision-making tools available to support you
• Understand how your farm or ranch connects with climate change, agroecology, and global agriculture
• Access exclusive resources: The Climate Chronicles Podcast, Case Study Compendium, Wildfire Workbook, and Financial Preparedness.

When: Tuesdays, Feb 3 - Mar 10, 2026
Where: Virtual: self-paced course with six live 1.5-hour workshops
Cost: FREE - IF YOU REGISTER BY JAN 1
Learn More & Register: https://tinyurl.com/mr22dhej
Questions, issues with enrollment, or just to get in touch: contact@farmercampus.com.

12/17/2025

PRODUCE SAFETY ALLIANCE GROWER TRAINING

Who Should Attend:
Fruit and vegetable growers and anyone interested in produce safety, FSMA requirements, Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs), and balancing food safety with natural resource stewardship.

Why Attend:
The PSA Grower Training Course meets the FSMA Produce Safety Rule requirement for at least one farm supervisor or responsible party to complete FDA-recognized food safety training.

What You Will Learn:
• Produce safety fundamentals
• Worker health, hygiene, and training
• Soil amendments and land use
• Wildlife and domesticated animals
• Agricultural water (production and postharvest)
• Postharvest handling and sanitation
• How to develop a farm food safety plan

Class Dates & Registration Links:
Cost $125
Prosser: 2/10/26, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. (https://tinyurl.com/bdfzwnsd)
Yakima: 3/24/26, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. (https://tinyurl.com/369xubp6)
Wenatchee: 3/27/26, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. (https://tinyurl.com/ypztfjya)
Virtual: 1/7 & 1/8 2026, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. (https://tinyurl.com/4ra9b26c)
Virtual: 3/18 & 3/19 2026, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. (https://tinyurl.com/4tnnhzj5)

U.S. Department of Agriculture

12/16/2025

We were featured on KREM 2 News!

Thank you to KREM 2 News, the Scale House Market, and Halme Cascade for spotlighting Vets on the Farm and the incredible work our veterans are doing in agriculture, healing, and community.

For over a decade, Vets on the Farm has helped local Veterans plant new roots, cultivate brighter futures, and build meaningful connections through farming.

We could not do this without YOU.
Thank you to every supporter, volunteer, customer, and donor who believes in our mission. Your support means more opportunities, more growth, and more healing on the land.

Now, we need your help in a big way.
We are raising funds to purchase the farm from the Emtman Brothers and permanently secure the land our veterans farm, heal, and build futures on.

Every donation, large or small, gets us closer to securing the land our veterans call home and the place where futures are cultivated.
DONATE: https://tinyurl.com/mt655d2n

Spokane Conservation District The Scale House Market KREM 2 News Inland Life

12/15/2025

Grow Your Own Groceries
2026 Annual Cohort begins February 18th

This 12-part course will cover all aspects of home gardening for food production as well as seed saving, perennial food forests and fruit production, eco-cooking/waste reduction, and four classes devoted to preserving the food after harvest. The first 6 weeks will focus on various topics related to annual crops, providing a comprehensive backyard gardening course for households on a budget.

This program is followed by two independent classes: Perennials (fruits, food forests etc.) and Seed Saving. The final four weeks are dedicated to preserving the harvest. Class is designed as a cohort in which a student group completes the program together. The program focuses on low cost, organic, minimal outside inputs, labor and resource saving, high yield, and regenerative practices.

Need based scholarships available, visit the registration page for more info.
Register: https://tinyurl.com/4wep3wwd

12/15/2025

2026 Northwest Food Hub Network Summit

Next year’s two-day Summit will take place on Thursday and Friday, March 12-13, 2026 at Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington. Registration for the Summit is open now and will close on Friday, February 27 or when the event sells out.

Program Preview: www.nwfoodhubnetwork.com/summit
Register: https://givebutter.com/ezNAWx
Gonzaga University

12/12/2025

GI Jobs Military Friendly Job Fair
Thursday, December 18, 2025, 9am–1pm PST

Talk with dozens of recruiters from companies of all sizes at this online event! These recruiters know the value of hiring veterans and military spouses, and they're looking for you to join their ranks.

Recruiters are looking at profiles ahead of the event. Sign up and complete your profile today! https://tinyurl.com/bzwyu82m
.nm California Institute of Applied Technology

12/12/2025

Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation (MCSF): Scholarships available for children of Marines

100% of eligible applicants receive support.
Scan the QR codes on the flyer or visit https://mcsf.org for more information on how to apply and to donate.