Not Forgotten

NFO CREATED VETCORPS BASED ON VETERAN AGRICULTURE INITIATIVES AND AMERICORPS, ADDING MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES TO SUPPORT VETERANS TRANSFERRING TO CIVILIAN LIFE. NFO'S VETCORPS IS THE FIRST VETERAN-CENTRIC AMERICORPS PROGRAM TO PROVIDE AGRICULTURE ANDMENTAL HEALTH TRAINING TO MILITARY FAMILIES. NFO PROVIDES EVIDENCE-BASED THERAPIES (MINDFULNESS-BASED INTERVENTIONS, TRAUMA-CONSCIOUS YOGA, AND ECOTHERAPYTO ASSIST VETERANS WITH PTS, TBI, AND MTS AS THEY BEGIN AGRICULTURE ACTIVITIES AND REINTEGRATE INTO CIVILIAN LIFE.?NOT FORGOTTEN OUTREACH'S (NFO'S) GOALS OVER THE NEXT THREE YEARS FOR VETCORPS INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING: 1) TRAINING 45 VETCORPS MEMBERS, CONSISTING OF VETERANS AND MILITARY FAMILY MEMBERS, THROUGH AN IMMERSIVE CURRICULUM INCLUDING FARMING, RANCHING, AND WHOLE HEALTH SKILLS TRAINING TO BECOME EMPLOYED AS THE NEXT GENERATION OF SUSTAINABLE FARMERS AND RANCHERS IN NORTHERN NEW MEXICO AND SOUTHERN COLORADO; 2) PROVIDING OUTREACH TO 750 VETERAN FARMERS AND RANCHERS TO INCREASE AWARENESS OF REGIONAL AGRICULTURAL TRAINING RESOURCES, AGRICULTURAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES, AND USDA RESOURCES.NFO'S TARGET AUDIENCE FOR THIS PROPOSAL IS VETERAN AND MILITARY FAMILY BEGINNER FARMERS AND RANCHERS IN TAOS COUNTY, NORTHERN NEW MEXICO, AND SOUTHERN COLORADO. THE NEED FOR MILITARY FAMILY AGRICULTURAL TRAINING SERVICES AND VETERAN CENTRIC SERVICES IN TAOS COUNTY AND SURROUNDING AREAS IS LARGE. CURRENTLY 2,515 VETERANS LIVE IN TAOS COUNTY, COMPRISING 9.3% OF THE ADULT POPULATION COMPARED TO 7.5% NATIONALLY. NEW MEXICO RANKS 13TH IN THE NATION FOR CONCENTRATION OF VETERANS, WITH 150,650 VETERANS REPRESENTING 9.6 PERCENT OF THE ADULT POPULATION. IN NEW MEXICO 8.4% OF VETERANS ARE FEMALE (US CENSUS BUREAU, 2019). VETERANS IN NEW MEXICO ARE MORE THAN TWICE AS LIKELY TO HAVE A DISABILITY THAN NON-VETERANS. 31.7% OF VETERANS IN NEW MEXICO REPORTED HAVING A DISABILITY (NM DEPARTMENT OF WORKFORCE SOLUTIONS, 2019).VETCORPS TRAINS VETERANS AND MILITARY FAMILIES IN AN OPEN, RELAXED ENVIRONMENT. THIS ALLOWS VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES TO LEARN AND WORK TOGETHER TO OVERCOME PHYSICAL AND MENTAL BARRIERS, GIVING RETURNING VETERANS THE OPPORTUNITY TO REINTEGRATE PRODUCTIVELY INTO AMERICA'S RURAL COMMUNITIES. NFO BELIEVES THAT BY EQUIPPING OUR NATION'S MILITARY VETERANS AND FAMILY MEMBERS WITH TRANSFERABLE AGRICULTURAL SKILLS AND RESOURCES, THEY WILL BE BETTER EQUIPPED TO REINTEGRATE INTO SOCIETY WITH AGRICULTURAL JOBS. THE SIX MONTH CURRICULUM FOCUSED AROUND EXPERIENTIAL AGRICULTURE AND HANDS-ON WORKSHOPS PROVIDE DIVERSIFIED AND SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE PRACTICES THAT CAN BE APPLIED TO PARTICIPANTS' FARM OPERATIONS.NFO COLLABORATES WITH AGRICULTURE EXPERTS, AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATIONS, AND FEDERAL ENTITIES TO PROVIDE A HOLISTIC FARMING AND RANCHING CURRICULUM AND ACCOMPLISH VETCORPS GOALS OF TRAINING AND EMPOWERING PARTICIPANTS TO PURSUE AGRICULTURE. COLLABORATORS INCLUDE MORNING STAR FARMS OF TAOS, ZIA QUEEN BEE, ALIANZA AGRI-CULTURA, MICHAEL O'GORMAN--FARMER VETERAN COALITION FOUNDER, NMSU COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SERVICE, RICHARD LOPEZ--USDA BEGINNER FARMER VETERAN REGIONAL COORDINATOR, AND THE NEW MEXICO FARMERS MARKETING ASSOCIATION.

** AWARDS ISSUED PRIOR TO JANUARY 20, 2025, WERE FUNDED UNDER PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS AND MAY NOT REFLECT THE PRIORITIES AND POLICIES OF THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION.** THE VETCORPS PROGRAM WITH NOT FORGOTTEN OUTREACH IS MEANT TO TRAIN VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES IN USEFUL, INNOVATIVE AND INDUSTRY STANDARD AGRICULUTRAL TECHNIQUES. PARTICIPATION IN THIS PROGRAM IS MEANT TO PREPARE THEM FOR JOBS IN THE AGRICULUTRAL INDUSTRY, THEIR OWN PROJECTS IN THE AG INDUSTRY, THEIR OWN COMMERCIAL FARMS AND THEIR OWN SUBSISTENCE FARMS. THIS WILL BE DONE WITH EXPERIENTIAL TRAINING ANDDIRECT TRAINING FROM SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS. NFO WILL DELIVER TRAINING IN STANDARD FARMING AND ROW CROPS, HYDROPONICS, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY, BEEKEEPING, REGENERATIVE AGRICULTURE AND HABITAT RESTORATION, MARKETING AND BUSINESS.THE VETCORPS PROGRAM WILL ALSO DELIVER HOLISTIC HEALTH WORKSHOPS AND RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES TO PARTICIPANTS IN THE FORMS OF YOGA, EQUINE THERAPY, ART AND EDMR THERAPY. NFO PLANS TO INCLUDE THE COMMUNITY IN PROGRAM ENDEAVORS, NOT ONLY TO BE A PART OF THE COMMUNITY AND SERVING IT, BUT TO OFFER QUALITY REINTEGRATION TO VETCORPS PARTICIPANTS.VETERANS ROTATING OUT OF MILITARY LIFE FACE MANY CHALLENGES. POST TRAUMATIC STRESS IS PERVASIVE AND CAUSES SERIOUS PROBLEMS THAT HAVE A RIPPLE EFFECT WITHIN SOCIETY. THE NOW UBIQUITOUS NUMBER 22 IS KNOWN BY MANY TO SYMBOLIZE THE NUMBER OF VETERANS WHO TAKE THEIR LIVES EVERY DAY.THE VETCORPS PROGRAM ADDRESSES THE PROFOUND NEED IN THIS COUNTRY TO SERVE ITS VETERANS AND EASE THEM BACK INTO CIVILIAN LIFE. IT ALSO ADDRESSES THE PRACTICAL NEED TO FILL THE THOUSANDS OF AGRICULUTRAL JOBS AVAILABLE. VETERANS HAVE ALREADY DEMONSTRATED A WILLINGNESS TO BE STEWARDS OF THE UNITED STATES IN ONE CAPACITY. VETCORPS HELPS THEM TRANSITION TO ANOTHER FORM OF STEWARDSHIPBY ENSURING THE FOOD SECURITY OF THE COUNTRY WHILE SIMULTANEOUSLY HELPING THEMSELVES WITH DIRT THERAPY . DIRT THERAPY IS THE CARE, MAINTENANCE, PLANTING AND HARVESTING OF PRODUCE AT THE NFO COMMUNITY GARDEN AND OTHER QUADRANTS OF THEFARM. VETCORPS MEMBERS ARETAUGHT TO SERVE THEIR COMMUNITY AND DO SO BY FEEDING THEIR COMMUNITY WITH HEALTHY PRODUCE THEY HAVE GROWN.NOT FORGOTTEN OUTREACH IS WHOLLY COMMITTED TO TRACKING THE SUCCESS OF THE PROGRAM THROUGH 3RD PARTY ENTITIES SUCH AS THE I2I INSTITUTE AND BY FREQUENT SURVEYS OF PARTICIPANTS. NFO IS FULLY PREPARED TO MAKE ADJUSTMENTS, CHANGES AND ADDITIONS TO THE PROGRAM PER THE FEEDBACK OF THE PARTICIPANTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THIRDPARTY CONTRACTORS. IT IS THE GOAL OF NFO TO BE A PRESTIGIOUS PROGRAMVETERANS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS CAN LOOK TO FOR QUALITY INSTRUCTION, COMPASSION, HEALTH AND COMMUNITY RESOURCES, PUBLIC SERVICE AND COMMUNITY NUTRITION.

VETCORPS: A MILITARY FAMILY REINTEGRATION PROGRAM THAT PROVIDES AGRICULTURAL TRAINING AND MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES FOR VETERANS IN TAOS COUNTY, NEW MEXICO

GRANTS FOR ADAPTIVE SPORTS PROGRAMS FOR DISABLED VETERANS AND DISABLED MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES.

THE PURPOSE OF THIS APPLICATION IS TO SUPPORT OUTREACH AND EDUCATION TO BEGINNING VETERAN FARMERS AND RANCHERS IN THE TAOS, NM AREA.

TO TRAIN MILITARY VETERANS, MILITARY VETERANS FAMILY MEMBERS, AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC IN AGRICULTURE, INCREASING FOOD PRODUCTION AND WILL INCLUDE EMERGING OR INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGY. THIS THIS WILL OCCUR IN NORTHERN NEW MEXICO.

THIS GRANT SUPPORTS THE COSTS INCURRED TO IMPLEMENT MEASURES TO RESPOND TO THE NOVEL CORONAVIRUS 2019 (COVID-19), WHICH MAY INCLUDE WORKPLACE SAFETY, MARKET PIVOTS, RETROFITTING FACILITIES, TRANSPORTATION, WORKER HOUSING, AND MEDICAL EXPENSES. IT PROVIDES NEEDED RELIEF TO THE FOOD PROCESSORS, DISTRIBUTORS, FARMERS MARKETS, AND PRODUCERS FOR THEIR COSTS INCURRED BETWEEN JANUARY 27, 2020, THE DATE UPON WHICH THE PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY WAS DECLARED BY THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICE (HHS) UNDER SECTION 319 OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE ACT, AND DECEMBER 31, 2021. BENEFICIARIES INCLUDE THE EMPLOYEES OF THE FOOD PROCESSORS, DISTRIBUTORS, FARMERS MARKETS, AND PRODUCERS.

TRAIN 15 BEGINNER VETERAN FARMERS AND RANCHERS THROUGH AN IMERSIVE FARM AND RANCH CURRICULUM

NOT FORGOTTEN OUTREACH'S ADAPTIVE PROGRAM

NOT FORGOTTEN OUTREACH, INC. IS DEDICATED TO MOTIVATING MILITARY, VETERANS & THEIR FAMILIES AND GOLD STAR FAMILIES OF FALLEN HEROES TO PARTICIPATE IN RECREATIONAL AND/OR THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITIES IN ORDER TO FACILITATE THE HEALING PROCESS AND REINTEGRATION CHALLENGES. PROVIDING OPPORTUNITIES TO IMPROVE RELATIONSHIPS, BUILD CAMARADERIE WITH OTHER MILITARY FAMILIES AND CIVILIANS; AT THE SAME TIME ENHANCE "MINDFULNESS" PERSONAL WELL-BEING. THROUGH FARMING, THERAPY ANIMALS, YOGA, SKIING/SNOWBOARDING, CREATIVE ARTS AND RETREATS AT THE TAOS MILITARY FAMILY RESPITE CENTER. THE PROPOSED VISTA PROJECT ALIGNS WITH THE VETERAN'S AND MILITARY FAMILIES FOCUS AREA, THIS VISTA PROJECT WILL SEEK TO LEVERAGE RESOURCES AND EXPECTS TO BENEFIT THOUSANDS OF VETERANS AND MILITARY FAMILIES. PARTNERS OF NFO, RMYC AND TMRC, ALIGN WITH THE FOCUS AREAS OF ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY AND EDUCATION RESPECTIVELY. ROCKY MOUNTAIN YOUTH CORPS SEEKS TO INCREASE THE ORGANIZATIONS EFFICIENCY AND EXPECTS TO BENEFIT 180 LOW INCOME YOUTH, AND TAOS MILAGRO ROTARY CLUB "FOR THE LOVE OF READING" PROGRAM, SEEKS TO INCREASE THE ORGANIZATIONS EFFECTIVENESS AND EXPECTS TO BENEFIT FORTY (40) K-12 STUDENTS. FIVE (5) VISTA MEMBERS WILL CONTRIBUTE TO THE GOALS OF THE PROJECT BY PERFORMING GRANT WRITING, VOLUNTEER MANAGEMENT, MARKETING, AND CREATION OF NEW SYSTEMS OVER THE COURSE OF 1 YEAR. NFO AND PARTNERS AGREE TO A COST-SHARE STARTING IN YEAR TWO, FOR ONE VISTA MEMBER.