Orting Veterans Farm
Contact Us
Carrie Little
Farm Manager
(253) 258-1832
Carrie.Little@dva.wa.gov
Looking for Farmland?
WA Farmland Trust network that helps farmers find the land opportunities they need to grow their businesses, and help landowners sell or lease their land to keep it in farming by providing personalized technical assistance.
Statistics
2024
Orting Veterans Farm
9 farm plots leased to veteran agriculture producers
3 veterans are farm volunteers from the transitional housing program on the Orting soldiers home campus
1 veteran intern enrolled from the transitional housing program
Hosted 3 gatherings for 2024 and 6 beekeeping workshops
Shared an estimated 2,500 pounds of fresh produce from our demonstration garden with the Orting and Puyallup food banks as well as employees.
FY 22-23
Orting Veterans Farm
16 farm plots leased to veteran agriculture producers
9 veterans enrolled in business agriculture training programs
3 veterans enrolled in whole farm training program
3 veteran interns enrolled from Orting Soldiers Home campus (Transitional Housing Program or Tiny Home Village)
5 veterans volunteered from the Orting THP or Tiny Home Village
2,540 pounds of fresh, organic produce given away at weekly free produce stand on Orting Soldiers Home campus
Veterans in Agriculture Pilot Program
299 trainings and outreach provided
1,062 hours of trainings and outreach provided
55 veterans enrolled in the VA Farms Program
1,603 veterans reached by the program
2,991 community members reached by the program
The Orting Veterans Farm cultivates thriving Veteran farmers!
The Orting Veterans Farm, is situated on the WA State Department of Veterans Affairs' Soldiers Home campus in the Orting Valley. This is a place where veterans can lease fertile farmland, connect with and learn from other veteran farmers, attend trainings and workshops, and volunteer to grow food for the community. We have an onsite farm manager that guides and supports veterans in creating and attaining their agricultural goals.
Veterans interested in leasing farmland at the Veterans Farm pay an annual fee of $25 for a quarter-acre plot or $50 for a half-acre plot, which includes access to irrigation, a community greenhouse, community tools, and cold storage. These resources allow the production of row crops, orchards, and small livestock farming.
As part of the Veterans Conservation Corps, veteran-owned small businesses can receive assistance with grants. Partnerships with Enterprise for Equity (https://www.enterpriseforequity.org/) and Washington State University Cultivating Success (https://www.cultivatingsuccesswa.org) provide added support to veterans seeking to start their own farming operation