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IA women veterans interested in farm careers, invited to free networking event

Ag/Outdoor

June 13th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

Are you a woman military veteran interested in a career in farming? Women, Food and Agriculture Network invites you to a fun and informative evening with other like-minded women on Tuesday, June 17th at Easter Seals Iowa Camp Sunnyside (401 NE 66th Ave, Des Moines), or Wednesday, June 18 at the Veterans Memorial Coliseum (50 2nd Avenue Bridge), in Cedar Rapids.

These free networking events begin at 6 p.m., and will feature local foods appetizers and drinks, and an introduction to WFAN’s Iowa Female Farmer Veteran Network project. The veterans are welcome to bring their families. You can learn more about the project at this link: http://wfan.org/opportunities-for-veteran-farmers/

The event will also offer a free screening after the social gathering of Terra Firma, a new one-hour documentary featuring three female veterans who are now farming. One of the featured veterans, Sonia Kendrick, is a Cedar Rapids resident and will be present at the June 18 event. WFAN is partnering with the Veterans Memorial Commission of Cedar Rapids and Easter Seals Iowa to offer these events. Funding is provided by a grant from the Newman Family Foundation.

In order to have the right amount of food available, we ask that you pre-register for the events. You can register for the Cedar Rapids event online at https://womenfoodagnet.wufoo.com/forms/cedar-rapids-women-veteran-networking-event/, and for the Des Moines event at https://womenfoodagnet.wufoo.com/forms/des-moines-women-veteran-networking-event/. You may also call WFAN at 515 460 2477 and leave your name. Please call the same number or email info@wfan.org with any questions.

Iowa is home to 17,835 women vets. The rate of unemployment for women vets is higher than that of men. WFAN was one of 7 organizations in the US to receive funding for veteran support from Newman’s Own Foundation in 2014 to provide career development and other support services to US veterans.

Women, Food and Agriculture Network is a non-profit, educational organization formed in 1997 to provide networking, information and leadership development opportunities to women involved in all aspects of sustainable agriculture. Learn more at www.wfan.org, or by calling 515-460-2477.