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<p class="MsoNormal">Hi all,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Hope you are having a good summer. We have an urban farming event coming up in the fall. Please apply if you’re farming in an urban environment, and please consider sharing this information if you know any military veterans who are interested
in urban farming.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<h3 style="mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:6.0pt;margin-left:0in;mso-line-height-alt:13.2pt;background:#F8F8F8;vertical-align:baseline">
<span style="font-size:15.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#001589">Armed to Urban Farm – Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota<o:p></o:p></span></h3>
<p style="margin:0in;background:#F8F8F8;vertical-align:baseline;box-sizing: border-box;font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;font-variant-numeric: inherit;font-variant-east-asian: inherit;font-variant-alternates: inherit;font-stretch: inherit;line-height:inherit;font-optical-sizing: inherit;font-kerning: inherit;font-feature-settings: inherit;font-variation-settings: inherit;orphans: 2;text-align:start;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px">
<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#444444"><a href="http://ncat.org/"><span style="color:#001589;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in">The National Center for Appropriate Technology</span></a> (NCAT) and the <a href="https://www.usbg.gov/"><span style="color:#001589;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in">United
States Botanic Garden</span></a> (USBG) are offering their popular veterans’ urban agriculture training in Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota, this fall.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:10.2pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:10.2pt;margin-left:0in;background:#F8F8F8;vertical-align:baseline;box-sizing: border-box;font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;font-variant-numeric: inherit;font-variant-east-asian: inherit;font-variant-alternates: inherit;font-stretch: inherit;line-height:inherit;font-optical-sizing: inherit;font-kerning: inherit;font-feature-settings: inherit;font-variation-settings: inherit;orphans: 2;text-align:start;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px">
<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#444444">Armed to Urban Farm gives military veterans an opportunity to see sustainable, profitable small-scale farming enterprises and learn about urban farming as a career. Armed to Urban Farm
will include three days of engaging classroom sessions, farm tours, and hands-on activities in Minneapolis-St. Paul.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:10.2pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:10.2pt;margin-left:0in;background:#F8F8F8;vertical-align:baseline;box-sizing: border-box;font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;font-variant-numeric: inherit;font-variant-east-asian: inherit;font-variant-alternates: inherit;font-stretch: inherit;line-height:inherit;font-optical-sizing: inherit;font-kerning: inherit;font-feature-settings: inherit;font-variation-settings: inherit;orphans: 2;text-align:start;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px">
<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#444444">Armed to Urban Farm participants will learn about whole-farm planning, farm financial planning, urban crop production, urban soils, marketing, and more. Participants will gain a strong
foundation in the basic principles of operating a sustainable urban farming enterprise. In addition, attendees will join a nationwide network of supportive farmer-veterans and agricultural advisors.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:10.2pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:10.2pt;margin-left:0in;background:#F8F8F8;vertical-align:baseline;box-sizing: border-box;font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;font-variant-numeric: inherit;font-variant-east-asian: inherit;font-variant-alternates: inherit;font-stretch: inherit;line-height:inherit;font-optical-sizing: inherit;font-kerning: inherit;font-feature-settings: inherit;font-variation-settings: inherit;orphans: 2;text-align:start;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px">
<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#444444">Instructors will include NCAT sustainable agriculture specialists and U.S. Department of Agriculture agencies. Attendees will also learn from producers experienced in an urban setting.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin:0in;background:#F8F8F8;vertical-align:baseline;box-sizing: border-box;font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;font-variant-numeric: inherit;font-variant-east-asian: inherit;font-variant-alternates: inherit;font-stretch: inherit;line-height:inherit;font-optical-sizing: inherit;font-kerning: inherit;font-feature-settings: inherit;font-variation-settings: inherit;orphans: 2;text-align:start;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px">
<strong><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#001589;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in">Veterans can complete the online application</span></strong><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#444444"> </span><strong><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#002060;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in;font-weight:normal">at</span></strong><u><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#002060">
</span></u><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#444444"><a href="https://www.armedtofarm.org/armed-to-urban-farm-mn/">https://www.armedtofarm.org/armed-to-urban-farm-mn/</a></span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#444444"> </span><strong><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#001589;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in">by</span></strong><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#444444"> </span><strong><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#001589;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in">July
17, 2023</span></strong><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#444444">.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin:0in;background:#F8F8F8;vertical-align:baseline;box-sizing: border-box;font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;font-variant-numeric: inherit;font-variant-east-asian: inherit;font-variant-alternates: inherit;font-stretch: inherit;line-height:inherit;font-optical-sizing: inherit;font-kerning: inherit;font-feature-settings: inherit;font-variation-settings: inherit;orphans: 2;text-align:start;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px">
<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#444444">The program is available to military veterans who are interested in starting an urban farm or who are beginning urban farmers (less than 10 years). All veterans are welcome to apply,
but those from the Upper Midwest region will receive priority. Spouses and adult farming partners are welcome as well, but must submit separate applications. </span><strong><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#001589;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in">Selected
participants will be notified by July 28.</span></strong><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#444444"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<h4 style="margin:0in;mso-line-height-alt:13.2pt;background:#F8F8F8;vertical-align:baseline;box-sizing: border-box;font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;font-variant-numeric: inherit;font-variant-east-asian: inherit;font-variant-alternates: inherit;font-stretch: inherit;font-optical-sizing: inherit;font-kerning: inherit;font-feature-settings: inherit;font-variation-settings: inherit;orphans: 2;text-align:start;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px">
<strong><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#001589;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in"><o:p> </o:p></span></strong></h4>
<h4 style="margin:0in;mso-line-height-alt:13.2pt;background:#F8F8F8;vertical-align:baseline">
<strong><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#001589;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in">Dates, Location, and Cost</span></strong><o:p></o:p></h4>
<p style="margin:0in;background:#F8F8F8;vertical-align:baseline;box-sizing: border-box;font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;font-variant-numeric: inherit;font-variant-east-asian: inherit;font-variant-alternates: inherit;font-stretch: inherit;line-height:inherit;font-optical-sizing: inherit;font-kerning: inherit;font-feature-settings: inherit;font-variation-settings: inherit;orphans: 2;text-align:start;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px">
<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#444444">The training will take place </span><strong><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#001589;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in">September 11-13</span></strong><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#444444">,
in Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota. The event is free for those accepted to attend; lodging, transportation to local urban farms, and most meals will be provided. Participants must pay their own travel costs to and from the event, but travel scholarships are
available through a partnership with Ranchin’ Vets. Information on travel scholarships will be provided upon acceptance to the training.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<h4 style="margin:0in;mso-line-height-alt:13.2pt;background:#F8F8F8;vertical-align:baseline;box-sizing: border-box;font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;font-variant-numeric: inherit;font-variant-east-asian: inherit;font-variant-alternates: inherit;font-stretch: inherit;font-optical-sizing: inherit;font-kerning: inherit;font-feature-settings: inherit;font-variation-settings: inherit;orphans: 2;text-align:start;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px">
<strong><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#001589;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in"><o:p> </o:p></span></strong></h4>
<h4 style="margin:0in;mso-line-height-alt:13.2pt;background:#F8F8F8;vertical-align:baseline">
<strong><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#001589;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in">Hosts</span></strong><o:p></o:p></h4>
<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:10.2pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:10.2pt;margin-left:0in;background:#F8F8F8;vertical-align:baseline;box-sizing: border-box;font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;font-variant-numeric: inherit;font-variant-east-asian: inherit;font-variant-alternates: inherit;font-stretch: inherit;line-height:inherit;font-optical-sizing: inherit;font-kerning: inherit;font-feature-settings: inherit;font-variation-settings: inherit;orphans: 2;text-align:start;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px">
<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#444444">NCAT and the USBG, partners in this program, will organize and host the Armed to Urban Farm event in Minneapolis-St. Paul.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<h4 style="margin:0in;mso-line-height-alt:13.2pt;background:#F8F8F8;vertical-align:baseline;box-sizing: border-box;font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;font-variant-numeric: inherit;font-variant-east-asian: inherit;font-variant-alternates: inherit;font-stretch: inherit;font-optical-sizing: inherit;font-kerning: inherit;font-feature-settings: inherit;font-variation-settings: inherit;orphans: 2;text-align:start;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px">
<strong><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#001589;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in">Questions?</span></strong><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#001589"><o:p></o:p></span></h4>
<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:10.2pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:10.2pt;margin-left:0in;background:#F8F8F8;vertical-align:baseline;box-sizing: border-box;font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;font-variant-numeric: inherit;font-variant-east-asian: inherit;font-variant-alternates: inherit;font-stretch: inherit;line-height:inherit;font-optical-sizing: inherit;font-kerning: inherit;font-feature-settings: inherit;font-variation-settings: inherit;orphans: 2;text-align:start;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px">
<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#444444">Please contact Andy Pressman,
<a href="mailto:andyp@ncat.org">andyp@ncat.org</a> or (479) 587-3475.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Thank you and best regards,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<div id="divtagdefaultwrapper">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:#001489;mso-ligatures:none">ROBYN METZGER</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black;mso-ligatures:none">Program Specialist/Armed to Farm Coordinator </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#666666;mso-ligatures:none">National Center for Appropriate Technology </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u><span style="color:#0070C0;mso-ligatures:none"><a href="https://ncat.org/"><span style="color:blue">NCAT.ORG</span></a></span></u><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#666666;mso-ligatures:none"><a href="https://www.armedtofarm.org/" title="https://www.armedtofarm.org/"><span style="color:blue">ARMEDTOFARM.ORG</span></a> </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#666666;mso-ligatures:none">O: 479-442-9824 </span>
<span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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