- eli@tyeshouse.org
- 330 Changebridge RD Suite 101 Pine Brook, NJ 07058
Cultivating Agricultural Leaders
A Local Food Hero is a trained agricultural leader who transforms communities through regenerative farming practices, food security initiatives, and agricultural education. More than just farmers, Local Food Heroes are community builders who:
After completing our program, Local Food Heroes become the primary resource for families to gather in the garden and gradually rebuild communities, one household at a time.
The Local Food Heroes Program combines veteran empowerment with sustainable agriculture to address community food security challenges. We believe in building resilient communities through agricultural training, creating pathways for veterans and community members to become leaders in local food systems.
“Train a Vet, Your Food is Set: Empowering Communities Through Sustainable Agriculture”
“Train a Vet, Your Food is Set: Empowering Communities Through Sustainable Agriculture”
Our comprehensive training model transforms participants into agricultural leaders through a structured pathway that builds both farming skills and business acumen. Based at our flagship Garden Education Center at Veterans Haven North in Glen Gardner, NJ, we provide hands-on experience in sustainable farming practices while developing the entrepreneurial mindset needed for agricultural success.
Our tiered approach allows participants to progress through increasingly advanced levels of training and responsibility:
For qualified veterans, we offer a transformative housing opportunity that integrates with your agricultural training:
Live in one of our community houses while participating in the program
We help connect eligible veterans with:
Share space with fellow veterans on similar journeys
This housing component creates a stable foundation for your agricultural journey, allowing you to focus fully on developing the skills needed to become a Local Food Hero. Eligibility is determined during the application process, and our team works closely with each qualified applicant to navigate the available housing support options.
Our program has evolved over three years of progressive development, refining our approach to create effective agricultural leaders. Starting with basic gardening instruction, we've developed a comprehensive curriculum that addresses both practical farming skills and business acumen.
Our team includes experienced agricultural professionals and combat veterans who understand both the technical aspects of farming and the unique strengths veterans bring to agriculture. Through our network of partnerships, we provide 640 hours of comprehensive education and technical training.
Our flagship Garden Education Center at Veterans Haven North demonstrates how institutional partnerships can create innovative land access solutions. This model provides valuable experience in navigating partnerships that can be replicated in participants' home communities.
Local Food Heroes don't just learn to farm—they become agricultural leaders who strengthen food security in their communities. Our program creates pathways for participants to address food access challenges while building sustainable agricultural enterprises.
Upon completing the Local Food Heroes Program, graduates pursue several impactful pathways:
Many graduates return to their communities to establish Garden Education Centers of their own, creating hubs where families and individuals gather to learn regenerative growing practices while building stronger community bonds.
Armed with both agricultural expertise and business acumen, graduates identify and address food security challenges in their communities through innovative growing operations, distribution models, and educational initiatives.
Following our model of institutional collaboration, graduates often develop partnerships with government facilities, non-profits, and religious organizations to create new growing spaces on underutilized land.
Some graduates launch regenerative farming enterprises that provide both economic opportunity and community impact, often collaborating with local food pantries, schools, and vulnerable populations.
Many Local Food Heroes serve as teachers and mentors, sharing their knowledge with schools, community organizations, and faith groups to expand agricultural literacy and food sovereignty.
Our program is strengthened by collaborations with established agricultural organizations and service providers:
As a Local Food Hero, you’ll join a growing community of agricultural leaders making real impact in their communities. Whether you’re seeking a new career path, looking to develop valuable skills, or passionate about addressing food security challenges, we invite you to grow with us.
The time commitment varies based on your level of participation:
This material is based upon work supported by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture, through the Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program under subaward number CNE25-001.
Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
