Monterey nonprofit wins $2.5M grant to turn veterans into ‘21st-century cowboys’

Military members and veterans interested in becoming ranchers will have a new outlet in Monterey County to learn the skills of the trade, starting this fall.

A $2.5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Defense was awarded this week to a pair of nonprofit organizations that teamed up to train what one of them called “21st-century cowboys” who are interested in long-term careers in ranching, agriculture and land stewardship, according to Marc Del Piero, executive director of the Ag Land Trust, one of the nonprofits participating.