Farmers Assisting Returning Military

What Farmers Assisting Returning Military does

Farmers Assisting Returning Military (F.A.R.M.) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2015 in Dallas, Texas by combat veterans James Jeffers and Steve Smith to deliver therapeutic agricultural training to U.S. military veterans reintegrating into civilian life. The organization's core offering, branded as "Dirt Therapy," uses hands-on organic farming in a peer-to-peer environment to provide structure, physical and mental challenge, mission, purpose, and camaraderie. Program delivery is organized around three pillars: Agricultural services (the Dirt Therapy farming program and the North Texas FARM Success beginning farmer workshop delivered with Grow North Texas), Living services (farm-to-table dining plus adapted recreational activities including horseback riding, hiking, camping, paddling, biking, hunting, fishing, climbing, and off-roading), and Alternative services (acupuncture, Bowen therapy, massage, trauma resolution, mindfulness meditation, yoga nidra, and holistic health coaching). A structured "Internship" training program is scheduled to launch in 2024.

F.A.R.M.'s service architecture relies on a regional farm footprint in Dallas and DeSoto (North Texas), predecessor operating company Eat the Yard (established 2012), and an ecosystem of partners including the Farmers Veteran Coalition, Carry the Load, 22 Kill, Cohen Veterans Network, Veterans Community Project, United Way Dallas, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, AgriAbility, Equest, and Dallas Farmers Market. The underlying "technology" is the therapeutic methodology itself, not a software platform; the only disclosed technology integration is MailChimp for newsletter and donor communications.

The business model is donation-funded rather than transaction-based. Services are provided at no cost to veterans, and revenue is generated through tax-deductible donations from individuals and a diversified set of corporate and foundation sponsors including Kubota USA, Northrop Grumman, Mercury One, American Valor Foundation, Santander Consumer USA, GlobeRanger, and the Dew Foundation. The organization is governed by a Founding Board of Trustees (Orlando Garcia, Jeff Morris, Charlie Erwin) and led day-to-day by Executive Director Hyiat El-Jundi, with co-founder James Jeffers continuing in operational and educational roles. Headcount is reported at 1–10 employees, and revenue is not publicly disclosed.

Name

Farmers Assisting Returning Military

Legal name

Farmers Assisting Returning Military

Website

https://farmvet.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Farmers Assisting Returning Military (F.A.R.M.) is a Dallas-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides free therapeutic agricultural training, peer-to-peer farming, and holistic wellness programming to U.S. military veterans reintegrating into civilian life, funded by donations and corporate sponsorships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Veteran Rehabilitation Services

NAICS

Farm Management Services (115116), Support Activities for Crop Production (1151), Support Activities for Crop Production (11511)

SIC

Agricultural Services (700), Agricultural Production-Crops (100)

akta.pro primary industry

Sustainable/Regenerative Agriculture & Conservation Practices (EDAOAOAO)

akta.pro secondary industry

Carbon, Sustainability & Farm Certification Support (Agro-Environmental Advisory) (AFACABAL)

Keywords

• Veteran agricultural therapy
• Therapeutic farming programs
• Veteran reintegration support
• Nonprofit veteran services
• Agricultural rehabilitation

Headquarters

HQ city

Dallas

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Donations: Tax-deductible donations from individuals and organizations supporting the nonprofit mission. Donations can be made online or by check payable to Farmers Assisting Returning Military.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Farmers Assisting Returning Military is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that provides therapeutic agricultural training and farming programs to military veterans at no cost. The organization helps veterans reintegrating into civilian life through a peer-to-peer "dirt therapy" approach, combining organic agricultural training, healthy-living activities, and alternative medicine coaching. Programs are delivered on farms in Dallas and DeSoto, Texas, and are funded entirely by tax-deductible donations and corporate sponsorships.

Product overview

Farmers Assisting Returning Military (F.A.R.M.) is a 501(c)3 non-profit veteran's organization offering therapeutic agricultural training programs. The organization provides a multi-faceted service portfolio centered on veteran rehabilitation through farming. Key offerings include: Eat the Yard (urban farming business established 2012), The Internship (training program launching 2024), North Texas FARM Success (workshop series with Grow North Texas), Agricultural Training (Dirt Therapy), Living Services (recreational activities), and Alternative Services (holistic health). The programs are designed to help veterans reintegrate into civilian life by providing purpose, regimen, and camaraderie through agricultural work and healthy lifestyles.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Agricultural Training (Dirt Therapy) Therapeutic farming program where veterans work with the earth in a peer-to-peer farming environment, providing structure, physical and mental challenges, camaraderie, and renewed mission and purpose. It is designed to help military veterans reintegrating into civilian life.
• Living Services Healthy healing and lifestyle programs for veterans including physical activities (horseback riding, hiking, camping, paddling, biking, hunting, fishing, climbing, repelling, diving, off-roading) and farm-to-table dining experiences. Activities can be adapted to any injury.
• Alternative Services Holistic health and alternative medicine services for veterans including acupuncture, Bowen therapy, massage, trauma resolution, mindfulness meditation, yoga nidra meditation, and holistic health coaching designed to reset their bodies from physical and mental traumas.
• The Internship A training program for veterans providing agricultural therapeutic rehabilitation and farming skills development.
• North Texas FARM Success A beginning farmer workshop and cohort series conducted in collaboration with Grow North Texas, providing structured agricultural training and education for veteran farmers in North Texas.
• Eat the Yard A closed-loop vegetable production, composting and edible landscape farming business in Dallas, TX that grows food for local restaurants, grocers, and community members.

Quantifiable outcome

• Founders report improved physical health and reduced prescription medication needs through organic farming

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature2 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Farmers Veteran CoalitioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding partnership that helped James and Steve establish their initial Eat The Yard program in 2012. The coalition provides resources, training, and networking opportunities for veteran farmers nationwide.
• Grow North TexascoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on the North Texas FARM Success beginning farmer workshop and cohort series. Supports agricultural education and local food system development.
• Carry the LoadcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVeteran-focused nonprofit dedicated to honoring and remembering fallen heroes and their sacrifice. Partnership supports F.A.R.M.'s mission of veteran healing and purpose.
• United Way DallasmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor nonprofit partnership providing community support and resources for veteran programs in the Dallas area.
• Texas A&M AgriLife ExtensionmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAgricultural education and extension services partnership providing expertise in farming techniques and agricultural development.
• AgriAbilityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProgram providing resources and accommodations for farmers with disabilities, supporting veterans with injuries.
• Homegrown By HeroesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFarmer veteran certification program that helps distinguish veteran-produced agricultural products in the marketplace.
• Veterans Community ProjectminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVeteran-focused community organization providing support services for returning military members.
• Operation Tiny HomeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization providing tiny homes for veterans, potentially supporting housing needs for program participants.
• EquestminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEquine therapy organization that offers horseback riding as part of F.A.R.M.'s living/therapeutic activities.
• Cohen Veterans NetworkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork providing mental health resources and support for veterans and military families.
• 22 KillcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization addressing the '22 a day' veteran suicide statistic that motivated F.A.R.M.'s founding. Partnership focused on suicide prevention and veteran mental health awareness.
• Dallas Farmers MarketminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal market partnership providing distribution channel for veteran-grown produce and community engagement.
• Urban Chicken Inc.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership supporting urban farming initiatives including poultry keeping for veteran farmers.
• Living EarthminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerComposting and organic waste recycling organization supporting sustainable farming practices.
• Junior League DallasminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWomen's volunteer organization supporting community initiatives and nonprofit programs.
• Founders Garden ClubminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGarden club supporting horticultural education and community gardening efforts.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Emerging players

• 22Kill: A national veteran service organization addressing the '22 a day' veteran suicide crisis through awareness, community, and direct programs. Direct partner of F.A.R.M. and comparable in mission, suicide-prevention framing, and veteran-focused outreach — though broader in scope than agricultural therapy.
• Combat Boots to Cowboy Boots: A Nebraska-based program connecting military veterans with careers in ranching and farming. Comparable veteran agricultural career pathway but more focused on ranching/land transfer than therapeutic rehabilitation.

Direct peers

• Veterans Healing Farm: A North Carolina-based nonprofit offering therapeutic farming programs for veterans with PTSD, TBI, and military sexual trauma. Operates a similar peer-to-peer agricultural therapy model serving post-9/11 veterans in a regional footprint.
• Heroic Food: A New York-based nonprofit that teaches returning veterans to farm through a residential immersion program. Directly comparable as a veteran-focused therapeutic agriculture training program targeting reintegration and sustainable farming careers.
• S.A.V.E. Farm (Servicemember Agricultural Vocation Education): A Tennessee-based nonprofit offering a residential agricultural therapy program specifically for veterans with combat-related trauma. Closely comparable as a specialized residential therapeutic agriculture program for veterans.
• Growing Warriors: A Kentucky-based veteran farming nonprofit that equips, trains, and assists veterans in growing food for their families and communities. Shares F.A.R.M.'s veteran-to-agriculture pipeline model with hands-on therapeutic and food-security framing.
• Veterans Farm (Florida): A Florida-based nonprofit providing hands-on agricultural training for combat veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. Comparable in target population (post-9/11 combat veterans), therapeutic framing, and small-scale farm operations.
• Farmer Veteran Coalition: The leading national nonprofit supporting military veterans in agriculture. FVC provides training, resources, and the Homegrown By Heroes certification — a direct partner of F.A.R.M. and the most comparable peer in mission, target population, and veteran farming focus.
• Heroes to Hives: A Michigan State University Extension program training veterans in beekeeping as a form of therapeutic and vocational rehabilitation. Comparable as a structured agricultural career-training program specifically designed for veteran trauma recovery.

Broad incumbents

• Cohen Veterans Network: A national network of mental health clinics providing high-quality, confidential mental health care for post-9/11 veterans and their families. A direct partner of F.A.R.M. and comparable in veteran mental health focus, though operates at substantially larger scale as a clinical care provider.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses3 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/watch?v=Yj_EiBpyWlg
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/farmers-assisting-returning-military

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Farmers Assisting Returning Military