Veterans in Agriculture Regional Conference

The Veterans in Agriculture Regional Conference will bring veteran farmers and their families together for two days of agricultural education, hands-on learning, farm tours, and networking in Nashville, Tennessee.

The conference will be held Nov. 5-6, 2026, at the Ed Jones Auditorium at the Ellington Agricultural Center, 416 Hogan Road, Nashville. The event is part of the Tennessee AgVets Opportunities on FarmLand, or TN AgVOLs, program and is being presented through a partnership that includes Appalachian Resource Conservation & Development Council, the University of Tennessee Center of Farm Management, Tennessee AgrAbility, UT Extension, and other agricultural organizations.

Agricultural Training and Hands-On Learning

The Veterans in Agriculture Regional Conference connects veterans involved in agriculture with other farmers, agricultural professionals, and organizations that provide training and assistance.

The two-day program will include farm tours, workshops, demonstrations, and networking opportunities. Participants will learn from agricultural professionals while meeting other veterans who are starting, operating, or expanding farms and agricultural businesses.

The conference is part of a broader TN AgVOLs effort to help veterans and transitioning service members enter agriculture. The program connects participants with technical assistance, education, hands-on training, and other resources that can help them develop new agricultural businesses or strengthen existing operations.

Resources for Veteran Farmers

TN AgVOLs works with agricultural organizations across Tennessee to connect veteran farmers with educational opportunities, internships, farm mentors, and other resources.

The program also provides information about agricultural training scholarships. TN AgVOLs currently reimburses up to $250 for veterans who complete approved agriculture-related educational programs. Conference organizers also indicate that scholarship assistance is available for the Veterans in Agriculture Regional Conference.

Beyond formal educational sessions, the conference will give participants time to build connections with other veteran farmers and agricultural professionals. Those relationships can help beginning farmers identify resources, learn from established producers, and become more involved in Tennessee’s agricultural community.

Meals Included During the Conference

Registration includes a light breakfast and lunch each day. According to event organizers, the conference is open to veterans and their families.

The Veterans in Agriculture Regional Conference is the first annual conference organized through the TN AgVOLs initiative. Veterans interested in farming, developing an agricultural business, or expanding an existing operation can use the event to explore educational resources, meet agricultural professionals, and connect with other veteran farmers from across the region.

Dates: Nov. 5-6, 2026
Location: Ed Jones Auditorium, Ellington Agricultural Center
Address: 416 Hogan Road, Nashville, TN 37220
Format: In-person conference
Activities: Farm tours, workshops, demonstrations, and networking
Meals: Light breakfast and lunch provided both days
Eligibility: Veterans and their families

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