PARKER, Colo. – Frangiosa Farms, producer of popular Colorado Hemp Honey, is pleased to announce its commitment to help veterans nationwide transition from “Protector to Provider,” through the Denver-based non-profit Veterans to Farmers program. The mission of Veterans to Farmers trains vets and assists them in providing essential skills in agriculture, tech and business operations to help them lead a more fulfilling and sustainable lifestyle.
Nick French, a former U.S. Marine and Founder and CEO of award-winning Colorado Hemp Honey, has been involved with Veterans to Farmers since 2013. French relates to the non-profit’s mission in many ways both as a veteran and farmer. “I feel a solid connection to my brother and sister veterans, which is why I am donating 10 cents from every jar of Colorado Hemp Honey that we sell to the Veterans to Farmers program. We want to make a difference and help veterans earn college credits and valuable skills that lead to jobs,” says French.
A farmer by trade, French grew up on a small farm in Northwestern Ohio where the primary crops were beans, corn, and wheat. After spending five years in the Marine Corps and many years overseas, French returned to the family farm nearly 12 years ago where he learned to become a beekeeper. Today, Nick manages upwards of 150 bee colonies on several rural farms south of Denver.
Earlier this fall, Frangiosa Farms donated $10,000 to Veterans to Farmers during the charity’s annual fundraiser held at the Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield Farms. “There are hundreds of veterans waiting to join our program. Thanks to Frangiosa Farms and Colorado Hemp Honey’s support, their donation will go far and will train veterans in food and agriculture,” said Rich Murphy, Executive Director of Veterans to Farmers. “We are grateful for Nick’s dedication and commitment to our mission.”
“CHAMP” Appointee
Hemp is also something that Colorado Hemp Honey’s Founder and CEO Nick French is passionate about. Recently, he was selected to serve as a stakeholder with the Colorado Department of Agriculture’s initiative known as the Colorado Hemp Advancement and Management Plan or “CHAMP.” With the passage in 2012 of marijuana legalization in Colorado, the hemp industry also got an early start in the state, and Colorado is now considered one of the country’s epicenters of hemp agriculture, manufacturing, and production. To further that leadership position, CHAMP was created by Governor Polis for “Colorado to remain an innovative force in the promotion of this high-value agricultural commodity,” according to the CHAMP website.
“It’s an honor to be appointed to CHAMP and serve as a resource on this committee. It is vital to expand hemp farming in our state and across the country,” said Nick French. “CHAMP is a collaborative effort between farmers, commerce and the government. I am excited to lend my expertise as a hemp brand, entrepreneur – and veteran.”
About Veterans to Farmers
Founded in 2009, Veterans to Farmers trains veterans to excel in agricultural systems, technologies, and business operations for a fulfilling and sustainable lifestyle. The Veterans to Farmers program provides a way for vets to recover, to learn, and to move forward by becoming providers, contributing to the solution of our food-insecure nation. Veterans to Farmers assist veterans in assimilating effectively, productively, and permanently into private citizenry through agricultural training and education.
About Frangiosa Farms and Colorado Hemp Honey
Frangiosa Farms was founded in 2008 with the goal of creating local artisan neighborhood honey using organic practices. In 2015, Nick and Ali French created Colorado Hemp Honey using raw honey from the farm; full-spectrum, plant-based, non-isolate hemp extract; and organic essential oils. Frangiosa Farms helps save bees and veterans with its community outreach efforts, supports local farmers, and recently began growing industrial hemp. Colorado Hemp Honey has been featured in Food & Wine, Westword, and CNN, among others. Colorado Hemp Honey products are available in natural food pet and hemp/CBD retailers nationwide.
