Mike Cerre:

Recent veterans going into farming are the real one percenters, the less than 1 percent of Americans who are serving in the military or the less than 1 percent of Americans who are still working in agriculture.

That's the lowest rates for both in the country's history. And as such, their needs connect with several national interests.

Bill Ashton, a retired Naval officer, is now the program director for the USDA's new military and veterans agriculture outreach. His mission? Fill the shrinking ranks of older American farmers who have been aging out of agriculture by recruiting younger veterans.