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<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><b><span style="font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#283694">Apply Now for May Armed to Farm Veteran Training in New Mexico</span></b><b><span style="font-size:24.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
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</v:shape><![endif]--><![if !vml]><img width="265" height="177" src="cid:image002.jpg@01D5F6E6.50F7B660" align="left" hspace="12" v:shapes="Picture_x0020_1"><![endif]><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">The
National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) is partnering with Holistic Management International (HMI) to bring its
<b>Armed to Farm (ATF)</b> training to the southwest. Veterans who want <span class="zmsearchresult">
to</span> attend the week-long<strong> t</strong>raining in Albuquerque, New Mexico can apply online now.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">ATF allows veterans and their spouses
<span class="zmsearchresult">to</span> experience <em>sustainable,</em><i> <em>profitable</em></i> small-scale
<span class="zmsearchresult">farm</span>ing enterprises and explore career opportunities in
<span class="zmsearchresult">agriculture</span>. At ATF, participants learn about business planning, budgeting, recordkeeping, marketing, USDA programs, lives<span class="zmsearchresult">to</span>ck production, fruit and vegetable production, and more. Participants
gain a strong foundation in the basic principles of operating a sustainable farm. In addition, ATF attendees join a nationwide network of supportive farmer-veterans and agricultural advisors.</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p>ATF trainings include an engaging blend of farm <span class="zmsearchresult">to</span>urs, hands-on activities, and interactive classroom instruction. NCAT Sustainable Agriculture specialists will teach the training sessions. Staff from HMI, USDA agencies,
and experienced crop and lives<span class="zmsearchresult">to</span>ck producers will provide additional instruction.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoCommentText"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Applications are available at
<span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://www.ncat.org/atf_NM_20/">https://www.ncat.org/atf_NM_20/</a>
</span>and are due by April 10, 2020</span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">.<br>
<br>
</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">This training is for veterans in the Southwest, with preference given to those in New Mexico.
</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">The number of participants will be limited.
<b>NCAT will notify selected participants by April 17</b>. Spouses are welcome as well, but must submit a separate application.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:red">Dates, Location, and Cost</span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Armed to Farm will take place May 18-22, 2020 in Albuquerque, New Mexico</span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">.
Participants will attend classroom sessions and travel to local farms for hands-on learning experiences.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">The event is free for those chosen to attend; lodging, transportation to local farms, and most meals will be provided.
Participants must pay their own travel costs to and from the event.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:red">Sponsors</span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">NCAT is organizing and hosting this Armed to Farm event in partnership with Holistic Management International.
Funding is provided by USDA’s Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement. <o:p>
</o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:red">Questions?<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Please contact Margo Hale at margoh@ncat.org or
<u><span style="color:blue"><a href="callto:479-442-9824">479-442-9824</a></span></u>.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">-----<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Robyn Metzger<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Program Specialist/Armed to Farm Coordinator<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">National Center for Appropriate Technology<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">479-442-9824<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.ncat.org/"><span style="color:windowtext">www.ncat.org</span></a><u><o:p></o:p></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="font-size:9.0pt;color:#2F5496;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in;background:white">NCAT’s mission:
</span></i></b><i><span style="font-size:9.0pt;color:#2F5496;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in;background:white">Helping</span></i><i><span style="font-size:9.0pt;color:#2F5496;background:white"> people by championing small-scale, local</span></i><i><span style="font-size:9.0pt;color:#2F5496">
<span style="background:white">and sustainable solutions <br>
that reduce poverty, promote</span></span></i><i> </i><i><span style="font-size:9.0pt;color:#2F5496;background:white">healthy communities, and protect natural resources.</span></i><i><o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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