Food safety education is most effective when it is customized to meet the unique needs of its intended audience. A one-size fits all approach is not appropriate, especially when working with distinct populations such as military veteran farmers, whose shared experiences and backgrounds shape how they learn and engage in agriculture. To better understand their needs, we conducted a national mixed-methods study combining surveys and interviews to assess their preferences, challenges, and educational priorities around on-farm food safety.
Who are Military Veteran Farmers?
Our findings revealed that most military veteran farmers operate small-scale farms, typically with fewer than five employees, less than five acres of land in production, and annual produce sales under $25,000. While food safety is considered important by these farmers, many expressed difficulties in consistently implementing food safety practices.
Understanding Training Needs
Barrier to Accessing Training
Although food safety was widely valued, many veteran farmers found implementation difficult. Approximately half of participants had not received any formal food safety training. Barriers to accessing food safety education included time limitations, a lack of training materials, and unreliable internet access, especially in rural areas.
Desired Training Format
Many military veteran farmers cited their frustration with conventional training methods, especially those that relied heavily on lecture-style or PowerPoint-based instruction. These formats often reminded them of military briefings, calling them “death by PowerPoint”, which they found unengaging and ineffective. Additionally, expressing interest in receiving on-farm food safety information in convenient emails, in addition to in-person workshops. University Extension was identified as the most trusted and “go-to” source for on-farm food safety information.
On-farm Food Safety Topics
Military veteran farmers expressed interest in learning more about soil amendments, agricultural water safety, and value-added product handling. Additionally, we identified critical gaps in current practices. For example, from the survey, 11% of respondents reported using fresh, non-composted manure; 43% did not conduct microbial testing on their agricultural water; and 16% did not clean and sanitize harvest tools before and after use.
Recommendations for Extension and Technical Support.
To effectively support this community, we recommend that future food safety education efforts:
- Target Outreach to Military Veteran Farmers: Leverage existing military veteran farmer networks and organizations to disseminate information and promote training opportunities.
- Use Interactive, Hands-on Design: Move beyond passive lecture formats by incorporating hands-on activities, demonstrations, and real-life farm scenarios.
- Offer Flexible Learning Models: In-person and hybrid delivery formats, including online courses and immersive technologies such as virtual reality, to address accessibility and engagement.
- Focus on Practical, Relevant Content: Address the specific needs of small-scale and beginning farmers, with emphasis on soil amendments, agricultural water management, sanitation practices and value-adding practices.
- Reduce Logistical Barriers: Plan training events with time and travel limitations in mind, ensuring that programs are both accessible and convenient.