Photo By Sgt. Erica Kirsop | Former Marine Sgt. Colin Archipley, founder of Archi’s Acres and the Veteran’s...... read more read more
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MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, Calif. - Organic crop production through hydroponic farming, profitable self-sustaining opportunities and a skill building course aimed at aiding fellow and former military service members are the billets to be filled in the creation of the Veteran’s Sustainable Agriculture Training.
The course, founded by former Marine Sgt. Colin Archipley, works in correlation with the Disabled American Veterans and is designed to aide military service members transitioning out of the military find job placement in the hydroponic and organic farming industries.
Archipley created the program after identifying an employment need for military veterans. In 2007, he began greenhouse farming, which became a growing business plan opportunity to aide job possibilities.
The course is covered by tuition assistance through Veteran Affairs and scholarship opportunities through Mira Costa College, located in Oceanside, Calif.
Each class lasts six weeks and covers all the steps necessary for crop production in an urban environment utilizing hydroponic techniques as well as creation of a business plan to be presented to a board of experts for critiquing at the end of the course.
Upon the final presentation to the panel and implementation of the changes accordingly, Karen, Colin’s wife and co-founder, finds job placement for the skills cultivated in each graduate.
“The VSAT program is so unique that Karen follows up with the graduates even after they are already done; she continues to make sure they are doing OK,” said Maj. Erin H. Mackin, the public affairs deputy director of Marine Corps Installations West and a Mandeville, La., native. “Her job begins when the graduates finish the course. She starts finding them jobs working with organic food businesses.”
The program has been growing in popularity due to recent success stories such as students creating growing farms that serve industry chains such as Whole Foods Market and other major agricultural companies. Colin and Karen aide Each student in gaining employment.
The development of both crops and business plans ultimately determines the business channel Karen sends each graduate down.
In doing this, the Archipleys are creating productive service prospects for military veterans that have found themselves without sufficient direction and job training for profitable employment outside of the military.
| Date Taken: | 07.21.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 08.03.2011 19:17 |
| Story ID: | 74800 |
| Location: | MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, CALIFORNIA, US |
| Web Views: | 465 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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