FORBES ROAD, Pa. — The PA Veteran Farming Network is pleased to announce the recipient of the 2023 Skirted Soldier Grant for Women Veterans in Agriculture, Nicole Sloane Kondrlik of Cherry Hill Farm in Erie County Pennsylvania. The award was announced at the 4th annual PA Veteran Farming Conference hosted by the PA Veteran Farming Network last week in New Cumberland.
Generously funded by Air Force veteran-owned The Skirted Soldier for the fourth year, the award recognizes female veteran farmers residing in Pennsylvania in a competitive process. The $1000 grant may be used to purchase tangible items or equipment to improve their agricultural operation.
The Skirted Soldier is a female veteran-owned operation specializing in hand blended loose tea, and is based in Portage, PA. CEO and founder Rhonda Smith and her husband Dan, a fellow veteran, and daughter Emma raise a small menagerie of livestock on their Cambria County farm, as well as some of the botanicals used in their military-themed teas.
This year’s recipient raises chickens, dairy goats and sheep in rural Erie County Pennsylvania with her husband and son. She will purchase a chicken tractor with the purpose of providing protein desert foods for her community.
Sloane Kondrlik is also the Chief Public Defender of Erie County Pennsylvania. Attorney Sloane Kondrlik is an Army veteran who served first as an enlisted soldier before earning a regular Army commission. She is airborne qualified. In addition to serving Erie County, Sloane Kondrlik, her husband and family are proud to be farmers and raise crops and livestock in rural Erie County.
–PA Veteran Farming Network
RECOMMENDED ARTICLES
HARRISBURG, Pa. — Today, during Military Appreciation Day at the 107th Pennsylvania Farm Show, Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding joined MG Mark Schindler, Pennsylvania’s adjutant general and head of the DMVA, PA Veteran Farming Network, and farmer veterans to announce the first recipients of the PA Farm Bill’s Farmer Veteran Grant program. “I can’t think of […]
SAN MARCOS, Texas — The world’s population is growing, and so is the challenge of feeding everyone. Current projections indicate that by 2050, global food demand could increase by 59%-98% above current levels. In particular, there will be increased demand for high-quality protein foods, such as meat and dairy products. Livestock producers in the U.S. […]
MARYSVILLE, Ohio — The Ohio Cattlemen’s Association’s (OCA) Beef Exhibitor Show Total (BEST) program wrapped up the 2021-2022 BEST season on May 7 at the Ohio Expo Center in Columbus. More than 800 BEST exhibitors and families gathered to watch youth receive awards for their show success, cattle industry knowledge, photography skills, community service efforts and […]
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Winning exhibitors at the 89th Kansas Junior Livestock Show (KJLS) earned premiums, while others were presented scholarships for excelling academically, in community service and in 4-H/FFA. The largest youth livestock show in Kansas showcased 1,648 head of livestock, including 158 market steers, 280 breeding heifers, 217 market hogs, 221 breeding gilts, 285 […]
MARYSVILLE, Ohio — Awards and prizes filled the stage as families gathered to commemorate an unusual year at the annual Ohio Cattlemen’s Association (OCA) BEST (Beef Exhibitor Show Total) awards banquet held on May 1 at the Ohio State Fairgrounds in Columbus. Over 350 BEST exhibitors were awarded for their show success, cattle industry knowledge, […]
