Farm2Veteran Making an Impact
Farm2Veteran proudly donated 14,983 meals to veterans in need in February this year. This brings the lifetime donation total up to 374,585 meals since Farm2Veteran began donating meals in 2020
Last month, Farm2Veteran supported Veterans in Washington and Illinois.
- 1,984 meals were provided to Washington State Veterans in February 2025 through the donation of beef to Volunteers of America Eastern Washington’s Veteran Housing Program
- 12,999 meals were provided to Illinois Veterans in February 2025
- 220 meals were given to the Will County Veterans Assistance Commission through the donations of eggs and beef
- 2,808 meals were given to Hines VA Hospital Homeless Veteran Care Program through the donation of pork
- 3,952 meals were provided to Veterans of America Illinois Veteran Supportive Housing Development, Hope Manor Joliet
- 6,019 meals were provided to Veterans of America Illinois Veteran Supporting Housing Development, Hope Manor I and Hope Manor II in Chicago
The Military History of St. Patrick’s Day
Image Above: North Atlantic Convoy Source: www.history.navy.mil/
St. Patrick’s Day is widely celebrated—whether through religious observances honoring Patron St. Patrick, cultural festivities for those of Irish heritage, or vibrant parades and parties. The freedom we celebrate while enjoying the sight of the Chicago River dyed green or joining the millions who watch one of the world’s oldest civilian parades in New York City, is only made possible thanks to the sacrifices of the men and women who have served in the United States Military. It is important to pause on this day of celebration to remember the military significance of March 17.
On March 17, 1776, General George Washington’s troops achieved a pivotal victory during the Revolutionary War. Beginning in early March, the Continental Army secretly fortified Dorchester Heights, the highest point in South Boston, providing a vantage point of both Boston Harbor and Downtown Boston. A timely storm prevented the British fleet in Boston Harbor from intervening, and by March 17, the Americans had positioned enough artillery to force a British retreat. After eight years of British occupation, Boston was liberated—without a single battle.
March 17 also holds significance in World War II, particularly in 1943 and 1944. The Atlantic Ocean was a critical supply route for the Allied nations, but by early 1942, German U-boats had begun targeting merchant ships, disrupting supply chains and damaging morale. March 17, 1943 German U-boats launched a devastating three-day assault, sinking 22 Allied ships while losing only one of their own. This was their last major victory in the Atlantic. The situation prompted UK Prime Minister Winston Churchill to send an urgent memo to U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt, who responded with a plan to prioritize anti-submarine warfare—most notably through the use of aircraft to detect enemy submarines. This strategic shift proved crucial to the success of D-Day, as it ensured the safe transport of supplies and troops across the Atlantic. One year later, on March 17, 1944, the tides had turned as American aircraft and warships successfully sank German U-boat U-801 west of Cape Verde.
Farm2Veteran is grateful for the strategy, strength, and sacrifice of the American military throughout history. We are humbled by the bravery and selflessness of our veterans, whose efforts made victories like those at Dorchester Heights and the Battle of the Atlantic possible.
Get ready for Easter (and support veterans) at our Store!
$24.99
Handmade Folk Art 3D Bunny Set – White Wooden Easter Decor (Set of 5)
Add charm and rustic elegance to your Easter celebrations with this beautifully handcrafted set of 3D Folk Art Bunnies. Made from high-quality wood and painted in a clean, timeless white, these adorable bunnies are designed to slide into each other for easy assembly and display. Perfect for country and rustic-themed decor, they bring a delightful touch of whimsy to any space.
$30.99
Religious Easter Tiered Tray Decor – 6-Piece Wooden Set
Celebrate the true meaning of Easter with this beautifully handcrafted 6-piece wooden decor set, perfect for styling a tiered tray or adding a touch of faith to your seasonal decorations. Each piece is thoughtfully hand-painted, hand-stained, and designed to highlight the joy and hope of the Easter season in a rustic and charming style.
Set Includes:
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- “The Tomb Was Empty” Sign: A 3 1/2 x 4 3/4-inch whitewashed wood sign with “The Tomb Was Empty” hand-painted in green.
- Wooden Cross: A 3 3/4 x 5-inch cross painted in a serene green shade, symbolizing hope and renewal.
- “He Is Risen” Round Shiplap Sign: A 5-inch round wooden shiplap-style sign featuring the phrase “He Is Risen” and Matthew 28:6 scripture, perfect for celebrating the resurrection.
- Cross Garland: A 24-inch garland with wooden crosses painted in white and gold, adding a graceful accent to your display.
- “Happy Easter” Sign: A 3 1/2 x 5-inch piece with a gold-painted background, white cross embellishment, and green lettering for a festive touch.
- “1 Cross + 3 Nails = 4 Given” Sign: A 3 3/4 x 4 3/4-inch whitewashed shiplap wood sign with gold-painted lettering, a meaningful representation of forgiveness.
$12.99
Personalized Easter Bunny | Handcrafted Free-Standing
Celebrate Easter with a truly special piece—our handcrafted, hand-painted free-standing bunny! Each bunny is lovingly made from premium maple wood, ensuring quality and durability. Measuring 4 inches tall, 3 inches wide, and 1/2 inch in depth, every detail is carefully shaped, sanded, and finished by hand, showcasing the dedication and skill of our artisans. The bunnies are then painted by hand in soft, rustic tones, giving each one a unique and charming character.
Exclusive Farm2Veteran Shop Codes!
First Person to redeem this code gets a Folk Art 3D Bunny Set for FREE! – HUG0M2AXM9KSAXO
Missed out on that code? The next three folks get 50% off the same item! – HKIP2DM6JC0GOMI
Still didn’t get it? We have 5 more codes for 25% off! – H6YgnEiwQLbN34G
Behind the Scenes at Farm2Veteran
In addition to our work on the farm and our efforts to coordinate with other ranchers to provide meals for veterans in need, Farm2Veteran is deeply committed to being an active community partner. We are incredibly grateful for the outpouring of support we receive from our friends and neighbors in Manhattan, Illinois, and we make it a priority to give back by participating in local events.
On March 8th, Farm2Veteran Senior Director Michelle Keller joined friends at the local Manhattan American Legion and Veteran’s Garage to ride together in the Manhattan Irish Fest Parade. This annual parade, part of a larger multi-day fest, is dedicated to preserving Irish-American heritage while also fostering education, friendship, understanding, cooperation, and the overall well-being of the community.
We were honored to be featured on WGN Daytime Chicago to share the mission of Farm2Veteran! Huge thanks to the WGN team for giving us the platform to talk about providing farm-fresh food to veterans in need.
Watch here: https://youtu.be/QOQfaJw1l2s?feature=shared
