About Us
Who we are
A farm designed and dedicated to returning service members and veterans of all eras to educate on all aspects of agriculture
VFNC helps them learn through on farm production models of sustainable livestock production and organic vegetable production.
Other mentorship opportunities with conventional farms are utilized for specialized interests for veterans wishing to learn about other avenues of farm production models.
Agriculture and agribusiness constitute a huge industry in North Carolina, contributing $84 billion of the annual gross state product (Walden, 2016), nonetheless NC agriculture faces a significant challenge. The average age of a North Carolina farmer is 58.9 years and NC farms are quite diverse in nature with over 50,000 farms, most being between 10-49 acres. (U.S. Department of Agriculture, 2012a). North Carolina certainly needs to add new farm entrepreneurs to replace those retiring to keep up with the growing food demands of a rising population globally.
A New Mission for Veterans:
The Veterans Farm of North Carolina (VFNC) is dedicated to helping veterans transition into farming as a meaningful and self-sustaining career. Through extensive training and mentorship programs, we equip veterans with the skills and knowledge needed to become successful farmers.
Bridging Military and Agriculture:
VFNC serves as a conduit between the military and agricultural sectors, acknowledging the immense potential veterans have in contributing to North Carolina's agricultural industry. We actively engage in connecting veterans with agricultural opportunities, thereby ensuring a vibrant and sustainable future for farming in our state.
Community Building and Support:
At VFNC, we pride ourselves on building a thriving community of farmer veterans. By fostering a network of support, shared experiences, and continuous learning, we create a nurturing environment that empowers veterans to thrive in agriculture while contributing positively to their communities.
Another major player in NC’s economy is the military with a, “significant impact on the state’s economy.” (Levy, 2015) American Community Survey estimates that more than 666,000 military service members and veterans call North Carolina home (Tippett, 2018).
One avenue to address the issues of agriculture is to assist, educate, mentor, and train exiting military personnel and veterans where it is most effective to do so. Fort Bragg, NC is the largest populated US Army base, serving 238,646 active duty and reserve Soldiers and veterans, civilian employees, and family members within the local area (Militarybases.us, 2019).
Meet The Board!
Robert Hosford
Robert Hosford was selected as the Executive Director of the North Carolina Agricultural Finance Authority. In 2019 Hosford assumed the role as State Director, Rural Development/USDA hased in Raleigh. During his tenure Rural Development efforts obligated close to $4 Billion into rural North Carolina communities, towns and counties. These expenditures came in the form of single family housing loans, water and environmental projects, business and industry loans and grants, firehouses, libraries, charter schools and rural hospitals.
He joined the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services in 2010, in the International Marketing Division.
He specialized in export of: cotton, forestry products, Christmas Trees and meat products. Currently, he serves as the Director of Intergovernmental and Military Affairs. In this effort he spends a great deal of time working on foreign direct investment and economic development projects for rural North Carolina..
Davon Goodwin
Davon Goodwin grew up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, but has rooted himself in North Carolina for over a decade now, consistently demonstrating his dual commitment to agriculture and community. Davon holds a hachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke, where he studied biology with a concentration in botany. While in college, Davon enlisted in the Army Reserve (2007); he served in Iraq and Afghanistan, where he earned a Purple Heart after he was wounded by an improvised explosive device (IED). Davon works and connects to his community in numerous ways.
Davon Goodwin grew up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, but has rooted himself in North Carolina for over a decade now, consistently demonstrating his dual commitment to agriculture and community. Davon holds a hachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke, where he studied biology with a concentration in botany. While in college, Davon enlisted in the Army Reserve (2007); he served in Iraq and Afghanistan, where he earned a Purple Heart after he was wounded by an improvised explosive device (IED). Davon works and connects to his community in numerous ways.
Davon Goodwin
Katie Bishop
Kate Bishop, originally born and raised in southern Missouri, came into farming naturally. Her family farm raised all manner of livestock and she was taught homesteading skills from an early age, such as canning, sewing, and processing livestock. Kate joined the Air Force after high school and was stationed at Whiteman AFB, MO, assigned to work on the B-2 Stealth Bomber.
She met her first hushand Brian on the flightline and had two children, Nathan and Emily. After ten years on the flightline, she changed johs.
Born and raised in eastern North Carolina. Introduction to framing was through my grand father, Fred Fisher. He farmed only a portion of his land, rotating crops, which included cotton, soy beans and corn.
Upon graduating from high school, attended North Carolina A&T State University. Later completed a degree in Biology from The University of the District of Columbia, leading to board certification as a Medical Laboratory Professional.
My military career culminated 25 years of service;13 years as enlisted with the 2290th US Army Hospital and 12 years as an officer. Duty assignments included Walter Reed Army Medical Center and United States Army Medical Research Unit, Nairobi, Kenya.
Currently serves as Peer Support Coordinators for the Vet Farm of NC. Bringing 15 years of lived experience to inspire hope to peers adapting to life challenges. Serve by providing support, resources and services to veterans and their families in achieving their life goals.
Veda Fisher Kennedy
Veda Fisher Kennedy
Born and raised in eastern North Carolina. Introduction to framing was through my grand father, Fred Fisher. He farmed only a portion of his land, rotating crops, which included cotton, soy beans and corn.
Upon graduating from high school, attended North Carolina A&T State University. Later completed a degree in Biology from The University of the District of Columbia, leading to board certification as a Medical Laboratory Professional.
My military career culminated 25 years of service;13 years as enlisted with the 2290th US Army Hospital and 12 years as an officer. Duty assignments included Walter Reed Army Medical Center and United States Army Medical Research Unit, Nairobi, Kenya.
Currently serves as Peer Support Coordinators for the Vet Farm of NC. Bringing 15 years of lived experience to inspire hope to peers adapting to life challenges. Serve by providing support, resources and services to veterans and their families in achieving their life goals.
Lis Meyer
Lis Meyer grew up in a small rural community in eastern North Carolina where she often rode with her dad to visit farms all over the region for his job as a wholesale fertilizer sales rep. Maintaining her interest in all things growing, she attended NC State University for a B.S. in Botany followed by an M.S. in Horticultural Science with an emphasis on plant propagation and ornamental plant breeding.
She currently teaches as a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Horticultural Science at NC State. Lis also serves as the advisor for student organizations in horticulture including the NC State chapter of Pi Alpha Xi and the National Collegiate Landscape Competition team. She teaches plant propagation at NC State for students in both the Associates and Bachelors degree program, as well as online courses in plant propagation and identification. She even survived having Rohert Elliott as one of her students.
Matthew “Doc” DeNoble was born & raised in the Northeast of the United States, growing up in Vermont, Upstate NY, and New Jersey. He has always felt a deep connection to the land & the natural world around us; and his interest in farming & stewardship of our food supply systems fostered throughout his youth, particularly during an opportunity that he was offered at the age of 14, for a summer job bailing hay for a Dairy Farm in Vermont.
Formative experiences like that helped Doc to develop an appreciation for the time & effort that goes into all aspects of farming, taught him about the BS&T (Blood, Sweat, & Tears) that is required just to grow & harvest the feed and fodder for our food; and he holds deep gratitude for the efforts of all who toil day-in & day-out to produce all that is required to feed our communities & our nation.
While attending college in NJ, Doc felt compelled to follow the example of his grandfather and serve our country in uniform, and enlisted in the Army (2000) as a Medic. After a 22 year career, including multiple combat deployments to both Iraq & Afghanistan, and enduring multiple TBIs along the way; he was medically retired in 2022 after serving as a First Sergeant in Alaska, and returned home to his wife & children in North Carolina.
Doc continues to be inspired by his Faith, and he strives to serve the needs of his family, and serve his community through volunteer work as a Firefighter/Paramedic within his local Fore Department, and through his work as a Peer Support Coordinator.
Matthew “Doc” DeNoble
Peer Support Coordinator, VFNC
Matthew “Doc” DeNoble
Peer Support Coordinator, VFNC
Matthew “Doc” DeNoble was born & raised in the Northeast of the United States, growing up in Vermont, Upstate NY, and New Jersey. He has always felt a deep connection to the land & the natural world around us; and his interest in farming & stewardship of our food supply systems fostered throughout his youth, particularly during an opportunity that he was offered at the age of 14, for a summer job bailing hay for a Dairy Farm in Vermont.
Formative experiences like that helped Doc to develop an appreciation for the time & effort that goes into all aspects of farming, taught him about the BS&T (Blood, Sweat, & Tears) that is required just to grow & harvest the feed and fodder for our food; and he holds deep gratitude for the efforts of all who toil day-in & day-out to produce all that is required to feed our communities & our nation.
While attending college in NJ, Doc felt compelled to follow the example of his grandfather and serve our country in uniform, and enlisted in the Army (2000) as a Medic. After a 22 year career, including multiple combat deployments to both Iraq & Afghanistan, and enduring multiple TBIs along the way; he was medically retired in 2022 after serving as a First Sergeant in Alaska, and returned home to his wife & children in North Carolina.
Doc continues to be inspired by his Faith, and he strives to serve the needs of his family, and serve his community through volunteer work as a Firefighter/Paramedic within his local Fore Department, and through his work as a Peer Support Coordinator.