Experience Works

Our seeds were planted in response to President Lyndon B. Johnson's "War on Poverty". Carefully cultivated by the National Farmers Union, our national nonprofit organization sprouted in 1965 as Green Thumb. This innovative pilot program focused on putting poor, displaced farmers back to work – utilizing their skills to answer Lady Bird Johnson's call to beautify America. In return, farmers earned a much-needed income, helping them support their families and stay out of the poor farm.