Kentucky program that labels food raised and sold by veterans is going national

A program created in Kentucky to help veterans who raise crops and livestock is going national. In January, state Agriculture Commissioner James Comer instituted "Homegrown by Heroes," which puts a red-white- and-blue image on products sold by those who served in the armed forces, allowing "consumers to identify farmer veteran products and support the nation's military veterans by purchasing their products," Sara Wyant reports for Agri-Pulse, a Washington newsletter.

"The program will be expanded nationwide through the Farmer Veteran Coalition, thanks in part to a $250,000 commitment announced today by the Farm Credit System, a national network of cooperatives that provides financing and related services to agricultural producers, agribusinesses, and rural infrastructure providers," Wyant writes. "According to Michael Lewis, the first Kentucky farmer veteran to use the Homegrown By Heroes label, the program also gives retailers a message they can get behind, helping farmer veterans expand their markets." (Read more)

"Agriculture officials in seven states — California, Iowa, West Virginia, North Carolina, Connecticut, Arkansas and Louisiana — have expressed interest in the program, Comer said," reports Ryan Alessi of cn|2, a Kentucky news service of Time Warner Cable. (Read more)