National Grazing Lands Coalition Launches Interest Survey to Form Veterans Grazing Coalition

Written By Ellen Harrell

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The National Grazing Lands Coalition (NatGLC) announced the launch of a nationwide interest survey to explore forming a Veterans Grazing Coalition, a new group designed to connect veterans with meaningful career pathways in agriculture during and after their military service.

For more than three decades, NatGLC has worked to empower farmers and ranchers by strengthening grazing lands stewardship through education, peer-to-peer learning, and coalition development. With 23 state-based and 1 tribal-led coalition, NatGLC has become the leading convener for diverse voices working to improve the health, productivity, and resilience of America’s working lands.

One example of coalitions formed around shared experience is the Indigenous Grazing Coalition, created to support Native producers through culturally informed training, technical assistance, and ancestral land stewardship perspectives. The success of this coalition model demonstrates that groups built on common background, rather than geography alone, can offer powerful community support and drive meaningful change.

NatGLC aims to build on that success by listening directly to veterans and active-duty service members who are currently working in agriculture, or hope to transition into the field. The new survey seeks to understand:

  • Current involvement of veterans in agriculture and participation in existing veteran-focused ag organizations

  • Specific interests and needs related to career development, training, and land stewardship

  • How a Veterans Grazing Coalition can best represent and support both new and experienced veteran producers

  • Opportunities for non-veterans to serve as farmer and rancher mentors, supporting the next generation of land stewards

“Veterans bring unique skills, leadership experience, and resilience that align closely with the demands of grazing lands management and ranching,” said NatGLC’s North Central Resource Manager Tom Shea. “I see endless possibilities when it comes to the creation of this organization, one being unique opportunities in succession planning.”

All NatGLC coalitions, whether statewide, regional, or identity-based, play an essential role in bringing together producers, conservation partners, agencies, researchers, and industry stakeholders. These networks help advance innovation, share knowledge, and work collaboratively to improve grazing lands across the nation.

The Veterans Grazing Coalition would serve as another vital link in this national network, fostering a place where veterans can learn, lead, and contribute to the long-term health of America’s working lands.

The survey is open to active-duty, reserve, guard, and veteran service members, as well as ranchers and farmers interested in serving as mentors. Responses will directly shape the development of the coalition.

Take the survey here: https://forms.monday.com/forms/f8906574b8f1e403dfd77e367b4e28be?r=use1

For more information, please contact:
Ellen Harrell
Director of Marketing & Communications
National Grazing Lands Coalition
ellen@grazinglands.org

Ellen Harrell
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