Improving the Food Supply Chain Through Increased Veteran Participation Project Announcement

In recognition for the demand for flexible solutions in addressing the needs of challenging times, the declaration of “The Year of the Veteran “by Governor Larry Hogan has stimulated the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Free State Post 8950 to launch its Veterans Aquaculture Training Center (VATC) project.

VFW, Free State Post, 8950 has authorized the formation of the Aquaculture Executive Committee that will be responsible for program development and the sustainability of (VATC) project. The committee’s goal is to provide guidance on enhancing local food production, distribution, access, food security, regulatory standards, and community benefits that are related to health and wellness, education, and job creation.

The purpose of the project is to promote and facilitate the implementation of a national aquaculture policy that encourages the development of aquaculture programs and activities in both the public and private sectors of the economy, thereby increasing food production and economic opportunity by owning or operating an indoor farm.

The project is designed and built as a self-sustainable workforce development training facility with the overall charter of emphasizing aquaculture and food assistance programs that will provide veterans and community participants with technical expertise and skills that will allow them to operate/manage or own an indoor farm. It has been granted initial funding from a grant awarded from the State of Maryland House Bill 101, Acts of 2019 Center Chapter 9, a Maryland Legislative Bond Bill that was sponsored by State Senator Paul Pinsky, District 22.

For additional information contact the Executive Committee Chairperson, Past Commander King Smith: smithking1966@gmail.com, or the Veterans Aquaculture Training Center (VATC) Project Coordinator John Spearmon, Oasis Farm, LLC Consultants: jspear7205@gmail.com.  

Executive Summary

Controlled environment agriculture offers solutions for addressing the negative impact that climate change could have on food production, as well as reducing the number of food deserts found in Prince George’s County. Improving food access and production in both the urban and rural environments is achievable through the application of scientifically supported methodologies of advance food production. The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) of the United States Free State Post 8950, whose location is 9800 Good Luck Road, Lanham, Maryland is pursuing the implementation of its aquaculture initiative to reach the goal of having Prince George’s County to become a leader in aquaculture development.

The purpose of this innovative initiative is to design and develop functional, sustainable models and networks that will improve aquaculture literacy, awareness, knowledge and the understanding of their environmental connections as directed by federal, state and local legislation. Mandatory support for aquaculture development can be found within:

-The National Agriculture Act of 1980, Public Law 96-362

-Agriculture and Food Act of 1981, Title IV, Subtitle L

- The Urban Agriculture Act of 2016

-The 2018 Farm Bill, USDA Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production

The VFW Free State Post 8950 has recognized the need to increase their levels of participation in the production if community issues, such as food access and affordability are to be address. At the forefront of the project are the opportunities for veterans. The establishment of the Aquaculture Training Center (VATC) will provide the necessary pathways for career development in the fields of aquaponics and hydroponics. Our post will initially focus on aquaponics a term not always familiar to many.

The term “aquaponics” is a blend of two terms aquaculture and hydroponic cultures. The key factors why aquaculture is a successful and a growing need in today’s world.

1.      Aquaponics is a yearly production of fresh produce – not seasonal.

2.      Aquaponics functions in a temperature - controlled environment, all year long.

3.      Aquaponics does not use soil/dirt 

4.      Aquaponics does not use pesticides/chemicals = harmful to people, produce, and the environment.

Our post (8950) seeks to develop self-sustainable, on site aquaculture workforce development training that would promote the adaption of aquaculture as a viable industry and a STEM base platform for educational enrichment. The preposed self-sustainable Veterans Aquaculture Training Center (VATC) is designed for and administered by veterans, shall consist of an indoor control environment food production unit greenhouse. As climate change coupled with dwindling nutritional food production outlets become more prevalent in urban communities, the need for solutions to urban food desserts grows exponentially.