If you had an opportunity to purchase produce grown by a veteran of the United States armed services, wouldn’t you do so? The answer to that question, for most people, is a resounding “yes!” In an attempt to try to capitalize on that attitude, the Illinois Farm Bureau and Illinois Department of Agriculture have launched Illinois’ version of a marketing and branding campaign entitled Homegrown by Heroes.
Homegrown by Heroes was started by the Kentucky Department of Agriculture and was expanded nationally by the Farmer Veterans Coalition. The program’s intention is to help veterans showcase their products and thus grow their businesses by marketing the fact that veterans are producing goods in their particular states. Qualifying veterans use a special logo to help raise the profile of their products in their state’s market.
Applications to participate in the Homegrown by Heroes program in Illinois are available on the Illinois Department of Agriculture website. Completed applications will be sent to the Department of Veterans Affairs for verification. Veterans are required to hold at least 50 percent ownership in the operation that produces their foods or farm products. Upon verification of the application, the veteran will be emailed the Homegrown by Heroes logo for their use in marketing and branding. The program is free to any and all qualifying veterans.
The Homegrown by Heroes program is rapidly expanding across the country and for good reason: most people are glad, even eager, to support the veterans that served our country on our behalf.
We at Gateway FS Construction Services thank, salute and honor both our Veterans and Farmer partners. If you see a Homegrown by Heroes logo when shopping, take a second look!