Fort Bragg, North Carolina, U.S. Army Farmer Veteran Awarded New
Kubota Tractor in Geared to Give Program
Left to Right: Charlie McCullen, Cumberland Tractor Company; Marvin Frink; Alex Woods,
Kubota vice president divisional operations; Michael O’Gorman, FVC executive director.
Red Springs, N.C. (December 2, 2015) – In a special ceremony today, Kubota Tractor Corporation honored its newest recipient in its “Geared To Give” program with a new donated tractor. Marvin Frink of Briarwood Cattle Farm, Red Springs, N.C., was recognized as the third farmer veteran to receive a donated Kubota L-Series compact tractor in Kubota’s “Geared to Give” program. Launched in March in partnership with the Farmer Veteran Coalition (FVC), the program provides financial support and donated Kubota equipment to United States military veterans pursuing a future in farming.
“Kubota created ‘Geared to Give’ because we care about the future of farming and the future of America’s veterans,” said Alex Woods, Kubota vice president divisional operations. “We’re excited to provide Marvin with a Kubota L3301HST tractor, which was proudly built here in the U.S., so that he can take his cattle operation to the next level.”
Frink owns Briarwood Cattle Farm and is a first-generation cattle rancher. After serving 14 years in the U.S. Army, Frink returned to civilian life in 2006 to work for the U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School, the Army’s Special Operations Center of Excellence, Fort Bragg. Since his return, Frink has been on a path to fulfill his dream of becoming a cattle rancher.
Upon the wishes of his late father, the Rev. Kirby Frink, and under the current mentorship of Mr. Harrison Campbell, Marvin Frink is now grazing his cattle near Raeford, North Carolina. In 2015, he made his dream of animal farming a reality when a fellowship award through FVC allowed him to purchase the first animals of his cow-calf operation.
“Farmer Veteran Coalition saved my life,” said Marvin Frink when he learned of the news that he was selected to receive a new Kubota tractor. “Without FVC and Michael O’Gorman, I don’t know where I’d be today. He gave me the spirit to keep pushing again. I’m incredibly grateful to Kubota and FVC; this program is truly touching lives.”
Michael O’Gorman, FVC’s executive director and founder, was on hand at the ceremony to commend Frink for his farming efforts and commitment to military service. “Marvin is a member of FVC’s fellowship program and is exactly the type of farmer veteran our organization helps to serve,” said O'Gorman. “I have witnessed his unwavering efforts toward becoming a cattle farmer and I’m proud we are able to help him in such a significant way. With the right tools, he is sure to grow his business into a thriving success.”
“Cumberland Tractor Company is family-owned Kubota dealership and has been doing business in Fayetteville for more than 60 years,” said Charlie McCullen of Cumberland Tractor Company. “It’s humbling to be part of this important tractor delivery because we know that it will help to further grow Marvin’s cattle operation and enable him to continue farming successfully in our community. We hope to serve as a trusted resource for Marvin moving forward.”
Farmer veterans like Frink can apply to the FVC Fellowship Fund in order to be considered for donated Kubota equipment through the “Geared to Give” program. Kubota has selected its Standard L-Series compact tractors, equipped with a front loader, for this program, as their versatility and efficiency are ideal for meeting the varying needs of many small- and medium-sized farming operations.
Based in Davis, Calif., FVC is cultivating a new generation of farmers and food leaders, and developing viable employment opportunities and meaningful careers for veterans through the collaboration of the farming and military communities. FVC believes that food production offers purpose and opportunity, as well as physical and psychological benefits for all veterans. FVC works with veterans from all military branches, their families, employers and mentors to support those returning to or beginning careers in food and farming.