📢 Veterans, Agriculture, and Rising Costs: Why the KOVH Foundation Is Fighting for Housing Stability

At the KOVH Foundation, our mission is clear: to raise awareness and provide support for veteran families facing the risk of foreclosure or financial instability. While the challenges veterans face are complex, one under-discussed factor is the impact of fluctuating agricultural and food commodity prices on their livelihoods and daily lives.

🌾 Agriculture, Inflation, and Veterans’ Livelihoods

U.S. agricultural commodity prices today, when adjusted for inflation, are generally below the levels seen in the 1970s. Crops like corn and soybeans have seen nominal price increases over the decades, but inflation-adjusted prices reveal that their real value—and the purchasing power of farmers’ incomes—has declined. For veterans who are farmers, live in rural communities, or rely on agricultural income indirectly, this means tighter budgets and higher vulnerability to economic shocks.

Livestock markets tell a different story: cattle prices have surged nearly 33% in the past year due to drought-related supply shortages. While this may benefit some farmers, rising production costs and food prices still strain veterans living on fixed incomes, especially those relying on VA disability compensation or retirement benefits.

💰 The Real-World Impact on Veterans

Veterans often face unique financial challenges. Many live on fixed incomes, with limited opportunities to absorb sudden price increases in essentials like food, housing, and utilities. When agricultural prices falter or fluctuate dramatically, the ripple effects can be devastating:

• Increased cost of living: Lower crop prices and higher food prices force veterans to stretch limited income further.

• Housing instability: Rising costs make it harder for veteran families to maintain mortgage payments, increasing the risk of foreclosure.

• Community impact: Rural veterans, who make up a significant portion of the population, are disproportionately affected when local farming economies struggle.

For example, a veteran farmer may see their crop income decline while input costs like fuel, seeds, and fertilizer rise—making it nearly impossible to maintain financial stability without support.

🛡️ How KOVH Is Making a Difference

This is why the KOVH Foundation exists: to provide awareness, resources, and advocacy for veteran families navigating financial and housing challenges. Through programs like our Veterans Housing Justice Ambassador Program and “We’ve Got Your Backs” care packages, we directly support veterans at risk, ensuring they have access to guidance, aid, and advocacy to prevent foreclosure and maintain stability for their families.

By educating communities about the economic pressures veterans face—including those driven by fluctuating agricultural prices—we can mobilize support, influence policy, and bring meaningful change to the lives of those who have served our country.

📣 Take Action

Veterans deserve security and dignity, not the added stress of economic uncertainty. You can help:

• Share this post to raise awareness about how economic pressures affect veteran families.

• Support KOVH programs that provide financial guidance and care packages to veterans in need.

• Advocate for policies that stabilize housing and support veteran farmers across the nation.

Together, we can ensure that no veteran family is left behind, and that their homes—and their futures—are protected.

Learn more about KOVH’s mission and programs: www.keepourvetshoused.org