1. What is "Illinois Homegrown by Heroes"?
Homegrown By Heroes - Illinois Products is a state branding program established to denote farm products grown and raised by military veterans or active duty service members via a specialized logo.
Illinois Homegrown by Heroes helps veterans and service members reach consumers and feed the nation through farming.
The Homegrown By Heroes – Illinois Products program will afford Illinois farmers who have served or are currently serving in any branch of the United States Military the ability to use the specialized Homegrown By Heroes – Illinois Products logo on their product packaging, labels, and marketing materials.
2. How could Illinois Homegrown by Heroes benefit me?
The brand is a new way of communicating to consumers that your products represent the labors of a hardworking veteran or service member. Moreover, Homegrown By Heroes – Illinois Products gives consumers a direct, immediate, and measurable way to “thank a veteran or current soldier for their service” by purchasing their products.
Homegrown by heroes is a nationally recognized brand that will help you market what you grow directly to your buyers!
Homegrown By Heroes, a label of the Farmer Veteran Coalition, is the official farmer-veteran branding program of America. The Farmer Veteran Coalition seeks to mobilize veterans to feed America by cultivating a new generation of farmers and food leaders, and to develop viable employment and meaningful careers through the collaboration of the farming and military communities.
The brand is supported nationally by numerous agriculture and food industry leaders such as the USDA, Farm Credit Services of America, and Farm Bureau.
3. How do I apply?
In Illinois, becoming certified with “Homegrown by Heroes” is a two step process.
Step 1: Register with the Farmer Veteran Coalition (FVC)
Veterans should be ready to provide their certificate or certification letter from Farmer Veteran Coalition as verification that they have been certified to use the Homegrown by Heroes label.
To learn more or to sign up for the Homegrown By Heroes Illinois Products logo, please visit the Illinois Department of Agriculture’s website.