C.O. Veterans Ranch founder testifies on Capitol Hill

A Central Oregon rancher and veterans advocate testified Tuesday before the Senate Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee after Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., invited her to share her story and serve as a witness about opportunities for veterans in agriculture.

Merkley serves as the top Democrat on the Senate Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee.

Alison Perry is the founder of the Central Oregon Veterans Ranch, which provides veterans volunteer opportunities on a working ranch in order to help them heal in an outdoors, community-oriented setting and to learn skills in sustainable agriculture. Perry previously served as a counselor for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in Portland and Bend.

“Our veterans have stood up for us, and we must stand up for them,” Merkley. said “With thousands of veterans coming home now from overseas deployments, we need to make sure that they get the support and job opportunities they deserve back at home.

“Agricultural opportunities are a great fit for many veterans, as the Central Oregon Veterans Ranch is proving every day. I thank Alison Perry for her tremendous service to Oregon’s veterans and for sharing her expertise with our subcommittee today.”

Perry said, “It’s an incredible opportunity to come share how Central Oregon is one of the forerunners in establishing innovative means of delivering healthcare and increasing opportunities for veterans.”

Perry’s written testimony from today’s hearing can be found here. Video of the hearing is available here.