Boots to Agriculture AgVets Internship Host Profiles

If you like working with your hands, if you prefer the outdoors to the office, and if you take the initiative to get things done, a career in agriculture may be for you! The Boots to Agriculture AgVets internship program connects transitioning service members through the Career Skills Program (CSP) Office at Fort Campbell with opportunities to gain skills and experience in the field of agriculture through a hands-on 8-week internship. Eligible service members can choose to intern at one of the farms or agribusinesses listed below.

Please click on a category that interests you or scroll down to learn more about each internship host!

If you are interested in applying to the AgVets internship program, please contact the AgVets coordinator, Spencer Guinn, at sguinn@kcard.info. For information regarding the Career Skill Program at Fort Campbell, please call 270-798-5000. The CSP office is located at 5663 Screaming Eagle Blvd, Fort Campbell, KY 42223.

 

Cattle

 

Jed White

Jed White manages a cow/calf and custom hay operation in Southside, TN. On average, the business manages 50 cow/calf pairs, and they finish 2-4 beef per year for freezer beef. In addition to managing the cattle operation, the owner puts up round and square bales for his own cattle feed and offers custom cutting and baling services for other farms in the area.  The farm strives to grow and maintain high quality hay for both cattle and horses. Jed grew up on a dairy farm and always knew he wanted to start a farming operation once he left the Army. 

Check out Jed’s interview on the Career Skill Program and his discussion on trade skills vs. college HERE.

Fox Creek Cattle Company

Fox Creek Cattle Company is located in Hopkinsville, KY and has been in operation for over 40 years. The full-time facility managers, Bryan and Kirstin Roberts, are in charge of the day-to-day operations along with 4-5 part-time and full-time employees. The facility focuses on backgrounding cattle and works with several Kentucky producers to source cattle. Once cattle reach target weight, they are shipped to other stockyards in the mid-west to finish. The facility can manage 1,500 head under roof and has several pastures available to help rotate cattle as needed. 

  • Contact: Bryan Roberts 

  • Phone: 270-886-8113 / 270-498-0117 

  • Email: foxcreekcattleco@gmail.com

  • Address: 3515 Princeton Rd, Hopkinsville, KY 42240 

Tennessee Grass Fed

Phil Baggett and his family raise and sell grass fed pork, beef and poultry. The farm employees 8 full-time employees and began marketing grass fed beef in 2011. Since then, the business has grown to include a farm-to-kitchen delivery service as well as an on-farm retail store. Phil and his wife Kathy manage the 422-acre farm outside of Clarksville, TN that has been in the Baggett family since 1837.  

Veterinarian

 

Todd County Animal Clinic

Todd County Animal Clinic in Elkton, Kentucky. The clinic is owned by Dr. John Laster and his wife Kayla. Dr. Laster is a 2012 graduate of Auburn Veterinary School and a native of Clifty, KY. Todd County Animal Clinic offers veterinary services to both large and small animals and has been under the current management since 2013. Dr. Laster and his staff host students on a regular basis and welcome the opportunity to serve as a resource. Participants will work with staff one-on-one to learn the basics of animal care for both large and small animals. 

  • Contact: Jessica 

  • Phone: (270) 265-5556 

  • Email: toddcountyanimal@gmail.com  

  • Address: 103 Joiner Ave, Elkton, KY 42220

  • Availability to host: Year-round

Vegetable Production

 

Yarbrough Organics

Yarbrough Organics has plenty to offer an intern looking to learn and work on a diversified operation. They specialize in organic row crop production, vegetables, eggs, cut flowers, and hanging baskets. You can read more about Yarbrough Organics here. 

By Faith Farm

By Faith Farm started with a mission to provide access to fresh, nutrient dense vegetables for all. Since 2011, the farm has donated thousands of pounds of food to local foodbanks and organizations. On top of that, their produce is non-GMO, pesticide-free, and grown using regenerative methods that improve the soil. The farm grows organic vegetables and has expanded operations into grass-fed beef, you-pick flowers, and event space rentals.  The farm has also recently added a greenhouse and two high tunnels in order to increase their growing potential and extend their growing season.      

This past year Lori was awarded the “Davidson County Soil Conservation Farmer of the Year” award. By Faith Farm is one of only two Cumberland River Compact Friendly Farms in Tennessee. Lori is happy to help new and aspiring farmers get their start and will also introduce them to the many resources that the USDA, NRCS and local cooperative extension services have to offer. 

Fruit, Cut Flowers, and Other Horticulture

 

Coal Creek Orchard

In the fall, Coal Creek Orchard pick and sell apples, make cider, and open the bakery in their store. Throughout the year, they take custom orders on baked goods, flower bouquets and produce from the greenhouse. They have owned the orchard for six years and raise beef, chickens, pigs, and peacocks on a smaller scale.  The bakery/kitchen is a big portion of the business because apples are later in the year and only for a few weeks.  They love using the produce grown on the farm in many different ways, from different breads to cakes to pasta and danishes. They have a longer growing season because of the greenhouse. They are always busy due to farming, but the store part of the business isn't open to the public until the fall. 

  • Contact: Kristie & Cory Houston 

  • Phone: Cory 270-348-4720; Kristie 270-348-3742 

  • Email: coal.creek16@gmail.com  

  • Address: 22850 Coal Creek Rd, Hopkinsville, KY 43340  

  • Social Media: Coal Creek Orchard | Facebook; @coal.creek.orchard on IG 

  • Availability to Host: Spring through Fall is the best and busiest time. There is not much to be done in the winter months, but available to host year-round. 

Check out a former intern’s Q&A here! 

Erin’s Farm

Gary and Linda are both Vietnam era Veterans who love living in the country and preserving its beauty for generations to come.  They have Christmas trees, blueberries, monarch and pollinator fields and native prairie grass fields. They practice organic methods to keep our land, water and all who live off of them healthy.  They are the first generation, since 1991, but hope to pass the tradition on to their children and grandchildren.  Their final goal is to leave the farm as a green space for many generations to come. 
Operating days are during Christmas season for choose and cut and during blueberry season (mid-June thru mid-July) for U-Pick. 

Jordan Farms

Jordan Farms, established in 2001, is a 5-acre floriculture operation located in Woodlawn, TN. Jordan Farms is owned and operated by Charley Jordan. Charley is a retired U.S. Army disabled veteran with over 28 years of service and retired as a Chief Warrant Officer Four from the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment.  

Jordan Farms cultivates cut flowers, various fruits and vegetables, and also forest grown all natural shiitake mushrooms. Flowers are the farm’s main staple, and they market and sell them via the Clarksville Downtown Market and at other events and venues. Tasks and activities on the farm include cut flower field bed, wildflower bed, and sunflower field preparations. The farm utilizes several different types of equipment and implements and growing occurs in outdoor beds and within a 30’x100’ hoophouse. The regular season for the farm is from March to October with early planting taking place in January.  

Jordan Farms also enjoys hosting on-farm events such as campouts and photo sessions and they also host U Pick flower experiences and honeybee learning experiences. Charley is very active in the veteran mental health community and hosts and conducts horticulture therapy activities on the farm and in the community. 

Southeastern Grasslands Institute

Our internship will give people the opportunity to learn how to manage and restore wildlife habitat while also learning how to farm native plants. candidates will spend time learning both restoration and sustainable farming practices.

 

Agrotechnology

Veterans Drone Service

Veterans Drone Services helps farmers that are interested in drone technology to improve their agricultural operations. We customize aerial applications of fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides and fungicides to fields throughout the crop and field management process. Veteran Drone Services also serves as a DJI AG drone dealer offering sales, warranty coverage, services, and training.  

Veterans Drone Services also educates transitioning soldier on using their military skills in the world of agriculture.  Interns will have the opportunity to conduct the full range of complex flight operations: from digital mapping, pre-flight planning, and chemical preparations to the conduct of the flight application and recovery operations.     

Owner, Rhyan Syester is a retired Special Forces Noncommission Officer with over twenty years of training and operational experience.  He has taken these experiences to enable the introduction of new technologies to the agriculture community and train and support individuals on how to best employ drones. 

About KCARD

The Kentucky Center for Agriculture and Rural Development is a non-profit organization established to facilitate agricultural and rural businesses in Kentucky. We are supported primarily through grants provided by the USDA Rural Cooperative Development Program and the Kentucky Agricultural Development Board. Additional support is provided through our work with partners around the state and through fees charged for select client services.

Contact Us

411 Ring Road
Elizabethtown, KY 42701

p: (859) 550-3972
f: (888) 319-4962

kcard@kcard.info