WASHINGTON—The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced in February a joint agreement with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation to increase employment opportunities in the agricultural sector for military veterans and their spouses.

The agreement establishes a new partnership between USDA and Hiring Our Heroes, a program that helps military veterans, transitioning active-duty personnel and their spouses and partners find meaningful employment when entering the civilian workforce. It was authorized by the 2014 Farm Bill.

“Today’s agreement opens the door for thousands of service members who participate in Hiring Our Heroes events around the world to benefit from USDA’s vast array of tools and resources,” said Lanon Baccam, USDA farm and foreign agricultural services deputy under secretary. “This new partnership strengthens USDA’s ongoing efforts to help veterans pursue rewarding careers in farming, ranching or in the fast-growing agriculture and food sectors.”

Since 2009, the USDA has provided $466.8 million in farm loans to help more than 6,868 veterans purchase farmland, buy equipment and make repairs and upgrades. In 2013 the department launched a microloan program that has provided more than $25.8 million to help veterans grow farming businesses.

For more information on how USDA can help military veterans transition into agriculture as a career, visit usda.gov/veterans ornal.usda.gov/sites/default/files/vetsagbrochure.pdf.

Media: Contact Kent Politsch, FSA, at 202-720-7163.