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1. Program detail, logo

The Idaho State Department of Agriculture and the Farmer Veteran Coalition want to make it easier for consumers to find food grown or marketed by military veterans.

Homegrown by Heroes is a merged trademark that the coalition and Idaho Preferred — ISDA’s membership program that identifies and promotes food and agricultural products grown, raised or processed in the state — worked together to create. The new trademark offers a way for consumers to quickly identify veteran-produced local foods, beverages and agricultural products.

The department is excited to partner with the coalition, and “it is an honor to be able to offer this new opportunity to highlight the work of veterans who are growing and creating local products,” department Director Chanel Tewalt said in a news release. “This partnership is a win for all Idaho agriculture, veterans and consumers.”

Veterans comprise a growing segment of Idaho Preferred’s membership and are “coming to us for the educational resources we provide, and connection opportunities,” Erica White, the program’s marketing manager, told Capital Press. Such connection opportunities can help producers sell in retail stores, for example.

Idaho Preferred is helping veteran farmers add the logo into their websites and product packaging. On its own website, Idaho Preferred is adding functions to integrate a segmented digital directory that identifies veteran producers and describes their products, specialties and other offerings.

“With the new merged logo, Idahoans can now quickly find a way to support our veterans and our agriculture sector at the same time,” Gov. Brad Little said in the release. “Idaho military veterans support our state and communities in so many ways, and my administration was proud to partner with them to promote local products grown and created by our nation’s heroes.”

The Farmer Veteran Coalition of Idaho Inc. leadership board “is very excited about the release of the new Idaho Preferred Homegrown by Heroes merged logo,” Bob Wheeler, Idaho Farmer Veteran Coalition president, said in the release.