Veterans in Prince George’s County plan to fight food insecurity with a new training center promoting urban agriculture and healthy eating. The center is being planned in Lanham and will train veterans in aquaculture so they can start their own businesses.
VFW Post 8950 wants to help veterans become entrepreneurs while also improving their health. They are building an aquaculture training center where they can grow plants and fish to help with food insecurity and healthy eating.
Vietnam war veteran King Smith directs the project.
“Everybody eats, so we thought that with the food deserts that we have in urban areas, having an indoor farm would be something that not only veterans could get involved in, but the community as well,” he said.
Veterans from Post 8950 visited Virginia State University – which has an aquaculture program – to learn about the fast-growing industry. They want to learn about growing fish, shellfish and plants – what King calls growing food in water.
“It deals with the climate crisis we’re experiencing,” Smith said. “It’s landless, it’s 21st century technology.”
They already have the drawings and all the materials for the greenhouse in place. The next steps include obtaining permits and steps.
They have the initial grant money, but are looking for donations and help from the community.
They are hoping for help with grant writing and getting ideas from people with experience in aquaculture farming.
“Whether we’re talking about dehumidifiers, fans, fish tanks and those things,” Smith said. “While we’re asking for donations and stuff, that’s what those funds will be used for.”
John Spearmon, who runs Oasis Farm LLC, consults on the project.
“Long overdue in terms of the neglect that has been shown to veterans,” he said. “This is an opportunity for veterans to help veterans.”
They want to train veterans to own and operate their own aquaculture business and use it as a model for other VFWs across the country.
