Indiana AgVets Curriculum

The Indiana AgVets training curriculum is designed to meet the needs of any military veteran who has an interest in agriculture and related industries. Such opportunities might include agricultural or food businesses, natural resources, turf or landscape enterprises, agrotourism, specialty animal or crop production, and much more. Each AgVet will have a be introduced to agricultural careers with a set of core trainings, then will be encouraged to seek additional educational opportunities in topics that meet their interests. All AgVets will be eligible to complete an 8 week (+/-) internship at a partnering farm or agribusiness to learn hands-on skills and further increase their knowledge. Every effort will be made to assign AgVets to internships that meet their personal interests within reasonable commuting distance of their home.

Core Trainings for all AgVets

Supplemental Training Options

Introduction to program; Indiana agriculture; veteran services
Tours of Indiana farms and agribusinesses
Employment and career guidance
Ag. Safety & Health Training
Commercial Pesticide Applicator Core Training
OSHA Forklift certification
No instructional fees

Supplemental Training Options

Commercial Driver’s License
Pork/Beef/Transport Quality Assurance
Accredited Horticulturalist
Master Naturalist / Master Gardener
Commercial Pesticide Category Training (ag, turf, ornamentals, etc.)
OSHA 10 or 30 hour course
Many other options!
Partial or full stipends for instructional fees may be available for supplemental training options

AgVets Interships

Stipends paid to interns (no cost to hosts)
Agribusinesses such as crop services, grain handling, machinery dealers, etc.
Nurseries, turf & landscape operations, forest products
Other locations depending on AgVet’s interests
Purdue Agricultural Centers will serve as intern host sites
Support from Indiana agribusinesses, commodity organizations for intern placement
Sites throughout Indiana

Mentoring and Job Coaching

Internship host mentor
- Coordinates with project staff and intern
- Serves as on-site mentor
Disability services
- AgrAbility to assist AgVets and host sites to ensure accessibility
- Counselors & mentors for service-related challenges (PTSD)

Tentative Project Schedule

The Indiana AgVets project is funded by the USDA-NIFA Grant # 2024-77028-43790. The three-year project began in September 2024, and is scheduled to conclude August 31, 2027. This current project is a renewal the original 2019-2024 Indiana AgVets grant that had over 100 veterans participate and learn about agriculture.

The application process is ongoing. If you are interested in the program, but are unsure of your schedule, please submit your application. AgVets staff will work with prospective participants in developing a plan to accommodate various situations. AgVets who were involved with the 2019-2024 project do not need to re-enroll - you are still considered active in the program.