The Illinois Department of Agriculture and the Illinois Farm Bureau partner with the Farmer Veteran Coalition to bring the Homegrown By Heroes – Illinois Products logo to Illinois farmer veterans.

The Kentucky Department of Agriculture created the Homegrown By Heroes logo in 2013. According to Cynthia Haskins, manager of business development and compliance for Farm Bureau, the logo caught national attention from the Farmer Veteran Coalition and they entered into a licensee agreement to manage and approve state logo usage.

Haskins says Illinois became the first state after Kentucky to partner with the Farmer Veteran Coalition for the Homegrown By Heroes initiative. 

THE BEGINNING: The Kentucky Department of Agriculture created the Homegrown By Heroes logo in 2013. The logo caught national attention from the Farmer Veteran Coalition and they entered into a licensee agreement to manage and approve state logo usage.

“We’re really proud of the interest we (IFB and IDOA) ignited for Homegrown By Heroes,” Haskins says. Eight other states now actively seek veterans for the program. 

“The state logo program, along with the Homegrown By Heroes program, provides an opportunity for states to maintain their identity and yet be part of something greater,” says Haskins. “It is a win-win for everyone evolved.”

Related: Farmer veteran embarks on new mission

Farmer veterans interested in obtaining the Homegrown By Heroes - Illinois Products logo can apply through the Illinois Department of Agriculture website. Applications are filed through the IDOA and Farmer Veteran Coalition.

Homegrown by Heroes Criteria:

-Proof of Service (Department of Defense Form 214)

-Products certified under the label must contain 50% or more non-water ingredients produced by Homegrown By Heroes veteran.

-Veteran must own or manage 50% of the business or operation.

What is the Farmer Veteran Coalition?

STATE SPECIFIC: Karen Fraase, Illinois Department of Agriculture, bureau of marketing, promotions and grants, says each state participating in the Homegrown By Heroes initiative has their own unique logo.

Homegrown By Heroes – Illinois Products is part of a bigger initiative: the Farmer Veteran Coalition, says Karen Fraase, Illinois Department of Agriculture, bureau of marketing, promotions and grants.

A group of California farmers founded the Farmers Veteran Coalition in 2007 to help veterans, many with roots in agriculture, find jobs in farming or establish a farm of their own.

In Illinois, the Farmer Veteran Program, a statewide collaborative made up of over 40 organizations, are identifying education programs, farming resources and mentorships to veterans interested in food production. Fraase notes junior colleges, universities and commodity organizations are coming together to provide resources to farmer veterans; such as how to start a small garden for produce, a bee colony for honey or more.

The Illinois Department of Agriculture and the Illinois Farm Bureau lead program efforts with support from more than 40 Illinois organizations and companies including: Illinois Soybean Association, Illinois Corn Growers Country Financial, Farm Credit Illinois, 1^st Farm Credit, Illinois Department of Veteran Affairs and the USDA Farm Service Agency, and others. For more information, visit the IDOA’s Illinois Farmer Veteran Coalition page.