Servicemember Agricultural Vocation Education, Corp.

Goal: $7,500.00

Specific Need

Our biggest needs include money to be able to offer scholarships to our students and money to be able to buy farm related items such as seed, farming tools, and equipment.

Mission

Our Mission: To be a nationally-recognized farming, ranching and agribusiness training and healing program for veterans and others. 

Profile

Americans celebrate Veterans Day on November 11 to honor our veterans’ patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good. While this day is a wonderful tribute, there are organizations who honor veterans every single day of the year. The SAVE Farm in Manhattan, KS., is one of them. 

The concept for the SAVE Farm  began nearly a decade ago, when retired Colonel Gary Lagrange and his daughter saw results from training beekeeping and providing therapy to soldiers at nearby Ft Riley. A non profit was formed by a diverse group of veterans, farm and ranch experts and educators.  

With the help of organizations like The Nature Conservancy, and the Conservation Fund, the SAVE Farm is now a reality. It provides therapy as needed and hands-on teaching to veterans and transitioning servicemembers through experienced professionals. They learn how to successfully and sustainably manage cropland, livestock animals, orchards, horticulture, and beekeeping. 

In 2020, SAVE celebrated a significant milestone - the purchase of 308-acres of farmland for future hands-on training. In 2021, the critical and life-changing work of the SAVE Farm received further support from John Deere through a donation of $200,000 to continue its collaboration with The Nature Conservancy and assist in the completion of training facilities.