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Veteran-grown produce labels add female representation

Posted at 10:04 AM, Jul 23, 2019
and last updated 2019-07-23 11:04:14-04

The Farmer Veteran Coalition has added a female figure to its Homegrown by Heroes labels to recognize the contributions of female farmer veterans in the country.

According to a release from the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry, the logo was recently revamped with the inclusion of a female service member to complement the existing male figure.

12 states, including Louisiana, participate in the program which aims to bring awareness to consumers of agricultural products that are produced by U.S. military veterans. Veterans who are a part of the program may use the special logo to label their products.

Louisiana currently has 18 veterans participating in the program. Of those 18, six are women.

"Women are an integral part of the family farm. Now, more and more women are taking over daily operations of the farm or going into agriculture on their own. It is only fitting that we highlight the fact that women are making their mark in both the military and the agricultural industry," said Louisiana Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain.

More than 1,600 veterans in all 50 states and Puerto Rico are certified by the Homegrown by Heroes program.