Chris Chamberlain started Bluegrass Blessings after his retirement from the Air Force. He was kind enough to spend a few minutes with us and share a little bit about his farm and why he is passionate about agriculture.
Q: Can you tell us what branch of the military you were in and how long you served?
A: I served in the United States Air Force for 22 years.
Q: Why did you decide to get involved in agriculture?
A: That’s a very complex and multifaceted discussion, but I’ll try to compress it as much as possible. There are many reasons why I got involved in agriculture such as needing a second career, enjoying being able to provide a valuable product to my community at a fair price, the constant learning and improving, etc. But the most compelling for me personally was the grounded and peaceful emotional state I experience when I am connected to nature. Immersing myself in nature, both with plants and animals, makes me appreciate the intricate and delicate balance that thrives within an ecosystem. I feel like the world makes more sense when I try to blend my existence with theirs to work as a team and the noise of the outside world just kind of fizzles out. So essentially, I use agriculture as a form of mental health and an emotionally grounding tool.
Q: What are you most excited about as this program rolls out?
A: I am most excited about sharing my experience with another person and hopefully help them find their own path. My transition from the military to agriculture was such an improved mental and emotional shift for me that I hope to help someone else experience their own version.
I know it's not fair, as you asked “most excited” referring to a singular answer. However, I also feel it has to be said, I am excited to help form a new generation of farmers that are ready to listen and use holistic approaches to agriculture as a viable option.
Q: Are there programs or resources you found really helpful as you got started farming?
A: Yes! I’ve listed out several below.
Boots to Business Courses hosted by Small Business Administration
Intro to Entrepreneurship
Revenue Readiness
University of Kentucky Extension & Kentucky Horticultural Council (KHC)
Grants
Mentorship
Farmer Veteran Coalition
Grant
Build confidence within yourself and your plan by meeting other veteran farmers who have succeeded with their ventures
KCARD
Business Plan Development
Financial Portfolio Assistance
Marketing Guidance
Q: How can we stay up-to-date with your farm?
A: Facebook is the easiest way to stay up to date, but Instagram and LinkedIn are there too. My handle for all social platforms is @bbfarmky. I have also started a blog you can check out here.