By Jamie Martin
Five military veterans pursuing careers in agriculture have been selected as the 2026 recipients of Kubota Tractor Corporation’s “Geared to Give” program, conducted in partnership with the Farmer Veteran Coalition.
The award ceremony took place during NASCAR San Diego Weekend at Naval Base Coronado, where the honorees were recognized before race fans and presented with new Kubota equipment to help expand their farming operations.
This year’s recipients include:
- Keelan Brown – Lawrenceburg, Tennessee (U.S. Navy)
- Justin Butts – Berne, New York (U.S. Navy)
- Hudson Grigg – Hesperus, Colorado (U.S. Marine Corps)
- Jeff Morrison – Chaseburg, Wisconsin (U.S. Marine Corps)
- Joseph Santry – Columbia, California (U.S. Army)
The selected veterans represent diverse agricultural businesses across the country. Their operations range from community-supported vegetable farming and regenerative agriculture to livestock grazing, poultry production, and heritage hog farming. Each recipient received equipment tailored to the needs of their operation through Kubota’s regional divisions.
“‘Geared to Give’ is about honoring veterans not only for their military service, but also for the meaningful impact they continue to make in their communities through agriculture,” said Alex Woods, President of Kubota Tractor Corporation and a veteran of the Army National Guard.
“Bringing this year’s recipients to NASCAR San Diego Weekend at Naval Base Coronado created a powerful opportunity to recognize these farmer veterans in front of passionate fans and fellow Americans who value hard work, service and dedication. We are proud to support their next chapter with equipment that can help grow their operations for years to come.”
Beyond receiving equipment, the veterans enjoyed a unique NASCAR experience that included race attendance, a meet-and-greet with Ross Chastain and the Trackhouse Racing team, a behind-the-scenes garage tour, and participation in a special pre-race recognition ceremony.
“Farmer Veteran Coalition members bring unmatched resilience, leadership and determination to agriculture, and programs like ‘Geared to Give’ help provide the support needed to turn their goals into reality,” said Jeanette Lombardo, Chief Executive Officer of the Farmer Veteran Coalition.
“Kubota’s continued investment in veterans and rural communities has made a meaningful difference in the lives of so many of our members, and we are honored to continue this partnership together.”
Since launching in 2015, the initiative has donated 56 pieces of Kubota equipment and provided more than $1.2 million in assistance to support farmer veterans nationwide, while also offering special equipment discounts through participating Kubota dealerships.
Photo Credit: farmer-veteran-coalition
Categories: National