Thursday, February 16, 2017

Mattis Meets With Turkish Defense Minister in Brussels



02/16/2017 08:19 AM CST

Click photo for screen-resolution image
Defense Secretary Jim Mattis meets with Turkish Defense Minister Fikri Isik at NATO headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, Feb. 15, 2017. DoD photo by Air Force Tech. Sgt. Brigitte N. Brantley

(Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available.

Mattis Meets With Turkish Defense Minister in Brussels

DoD News, Defense Media Activity

WASHINGTON, Feb. 16, 2017 — In a meeting with his Turkish counterpart on the sidelines of a NATO defense ministers conference in Brussels yesterday, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis recognized Turkey's contributions to the alliance and welcomed a transparent dialogue with an ally facing significant threats -- within and outside its borders, a spokesperson for Mattis said in a statement.

Strategic Partnership

Navy Cmdr. Sarah Higgins said Mattis also assured Turkish Defense Minister Fikri Işik of the support of the United States as a strategic partner in the campaign to counter the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria.

The secretary and minister agreed to continue their full range of bilateral defense activities and consultations, and to look for ways to further strengthen defense cooperation in the future, Higgins added.

Mattis is in Brussels to attend the defense ministers conference and to meet with partners in the coalition countering ISIS. He also will attend the Munich Security Conference in Germany during this overseas trip.

Related Biographies

Jim Mattis
Jim Mattis 




Saturday, February 11, 2017

Farmer-Veterans Movement Getting Stronger

Farmer Vet Movement Gathering 
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Ground Operations" <info@groundoperations.net>
Date: Feb 10, 2017 10:15
Subject: Farmer-Veterans Movement Getting Stronger
To: <sean.eagan@gmail.com>
Cc:

Hundreds gathered at 'United We Farm'
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"United We Farm" Draws 400+ Farmer-Veterans


What a shindig!  Last December, we all gathered in Michigan at MSU for three days of stories, camaraderie, connecting and education.The flag bearers marched in to ceremonial drumming from the local Native nation. "Farming as Healing" delivered the results of a V.A. national study, working with 700 members of the Farmer Veteran Coalition, to track the improvements in their physical & emotional health from working in agriculture. Agribility's Col. Cindi Chastain offered tools and farm equipment for veterans with any type of disability.  The always-fabulous "Successful Farmers Panel" discussed everything from "finding new ways to sell the same crop vs. diversifying to new crops," to ... how to train your kids into paid-employment vs. chores.  The Governmental Partners panel had top leadership from the Dept. of Labor, Small Business Admin. and USDA. AND WE WERE THERE FILMING IT ALL!  So stay tuned for the edited videos coming in the next month.
 
Beginning the conference day with some warrior yoga at dawn.
Kabota Tractors is a key sponsor of the Farmer Veteran Coalition -- and it looked so darned snappy in the dining room. Don't try this at home!
Our heroes!
Michael O'Gorman of the FVC &
Will Allen of Growing Power,
who have both fed a LOT of people
West Virginia Veterans & Warriors to Agriculture Project

"Other than a combat situation, there's nothing that gets me more present-moment than opening a box of 20,000 stinging insects!"

WVU Small Farms Conference
February 12-14


This month they are launching the Homegrown by Heroes label and the WV State Chapter of the Farmer Veteran Coalition.
 

Applications for 2017 

Two separate 10-week courses at the Denver Botanic Garden's Chatfield Farms are scheduled for
May 23 - Aug.3  
Aug. 8 - Oct. 13
Two days a week: Tues & Thurs.
7:00am - 3:00pm
Contact: Rich@veteranstofarmers.org
 
Coming Soon!!
4th Annual

Empowering Women Veterans
May 3-5 in Santa Rosa, CA


Business, Agriculture, Well Being
"I met my soil sisters at this conference, women with like minds." -- Althea Raiford, Gilliard Farm

Register: http://www.farmvetco.org/ewvc/
 
Steve Acheson, veteran & founder of Peacefully Organic Produce
will be speaking after a screening of Ground Operations
at the

Food + Farms Film Festival
Madison, WI
March 21 @ the High Noon Saloon


 
A film screening & discussion of Ground Operations spawned another regional group:

Pikes Peak Veterans in Agriculture
Colorado Springs, CO

With upwards of 600 military leaving Fort Carson alone each month, we are serving a need, helping veterans to continue their mission by contributing to the food security of themselves and their communities.

Contact: info@ppvetsinag.org

 

Help us reach more veterans

Have a community screening with a school, vet center, community group or church near you

Buy a license (click here)
 
During these politically polarizing times, it is important to find places of convergence, events that can unite disparate groups, programs that uplift and energize us to help one another face an uncertain future. Supporting veterans to do regenerative agriculture is just such a bridge builder.  We hope you will consider renting, buying or licensing Ground Operations: Battlefields to Farmfields, and sharing it with those you love as well as those with whom you may disagree on many issues.  Good people growing good food unites us all.
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You are receiving this email because you expressed interest in our cause. Thank you!

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