WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM SEPTEMBER 9-15, 2020 UCW 13
Boots to Roots: A Farm Tasting scheduled for Sept. 20
by MINDY LOVE
COVER STORY
MINDY LOVE, Contributing
Writer. COMMENTS? Editor@
upandcomingweekly.com.
910-484-6200.
The Veteran's Farm of North
Carolina, Inc. will host its inau-
gural "Boots to Roots: A Farm
Tasting" at the Dirtbag Ales
Brewery & Taproom in Hope Mills
on Sunday, Sept. 20.
After receiving a National
Institute of Food and Agriculture
grant in May from the U.S.
Department of Agriculture, the
VFNC began organizing the
launch of the Veterans Agricultural
Training and Education Program.
The VATEP is a new initiative
designed to provide 60 military
veterans with hands-on vocational
training on a farm in the agricultu-
ral industry.
VFNC Executive Director and
Marine Corps veteran Robert
Elliott will launch the organiza-
tions first VATEP class this fall,
in a partnership with Fayetteville
Technical Community College.
"VFNC's ultimate goal is to train,
network and equip veterans, all-
owing them to easily transition
into the agricultural industry to
further serve our country while
experiencing a life of peace," Elliott
said in a release announcing the
upcoming farm tasting event.
The VFNC is striving for pro-
gram sustainabilit y through
efforts such as the "Boots to Roots"
series of fundraiser events.
The "Boots to Roots" events are
collaborations with other vete-
ran-owned businesses who will
facilitate and host the farm-to-
table tastings. The goal is to raise
money to assist the VFNC with fun-
ding to support and expand its
mission.
Transitioning from the military to civilian life
can be challenging. The VFNC strives to assist
veterans with training and networking while
equipping them with a toolbox of skills needed
to transition into the agricultural industry.
North Carolina is home to many veteran-owned
businesses, including veteran farmers. Creating
a support network between these
businesses and the general public is a
win-win for the local community and
veterans alike.
Kicking off this VFNC series of
events is veteran-owned favorite
Dirtbag Ales Brewery & Taproom,
affectionately known as DBA to
locals. This first "Farmer-Veteran
Celebration" will be held under the
DBA outdoor pavilion.
Brewmaster Vernardo "Tito"
Simmons-Valenzuela will serve up
signature craft beer f lights paired
with the small plates created by Brian
Graybill, veteran owner of the DBA on-
site restaurant, Napkins.
Graybill takes his inspiration for
the fall-inspired tasting menu from
the produce, meat, seafood and other
products all grown, raised and produ-
ced on farmer-veteran farms in North
Carolina.
The menu includes fall bruschetta,
autumn salad, empanadas de chorizo,
catfish croquetas, lamb bulgogi, beef
barbacoa and bisteca con chimichur-
ri. Ingredients for the menu are being
provided by Watson Sanders Farm,
Pappy's Urban Farm, CATHIS Farm,
Cedar Creek Fish Farm, Purpose
Driven Family Farm, Green-Eyed
Farms and Spartan Tusk & Feather
Livestock.
Featured farmer-veterans will be
located at various stations around the
tent during the event. Each will serve
attendees their featured small plate
created by Napkins as attendees rotate
from station to station.
Ernesto Rivas, veteran and acoustic
guitar player, will provide live music.
Guests will have a chance to win har-
vest baskets donated by local veteran
artisans and business owners in a 50/50 raff le.
All staff and servers will wear masks and
adhere to COVID-19 guidelines. Guests are
asked to wear masks when not seated, drin-
king or eating.
This farm-to-table event will be split into two
seatings with the first from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. and
the second from 7-9 p.m.
The cost is $65 per single ticket or $120 per
pair, which covers food from Napkins, a f light of
5-ounce beers from DBA and live music.
No refunds will be issued, but tickets may
be transferred to others. The event is open to
adults, 21 years and older. DBA is located at
5435 Corporation Drive in Hope Mills.
For tickets, visit https://w w w.eventbri-
te.com/e/boots-to-roots-a-farm-tasting-
tickets-114750521900
The Veteran's Farm of NC, Inc. is a farm designed and dedicated to instructing and trai-
ning servicemembers on all aspects of agriculture.