For many military personnel, the transition from the structured, high-stakes environment of active duty to the relative quiet of civilian life can feel like a profound disjunction. For Sergeant Cliff Pristas, who left the U.S. Army in 1991, that transition was marked by a lingering sense of being "unmoored." The military provided a clear sense of purpose and a defined daily architecture; civilian life, by contrast, often felt chaotic and isolating.
Today, Pristas is the architect of a solution that is helping dozens of his peers navigate that same bridge. Established in 2023, the Veteran Farmers of New Jersey (VFNJ) has emerged as a vital lifeline, connecting former service members with the agricultural community through education, networking, and direct mentorship. By transforming the "swords" of the battlefield into the "plowshares" of the Garden State’s farmland, VFNJ is proving that the healing power of the land is a potent tool for veteran reintegration.
The Genesis: From Military Life to Agricultural Healing
The roots of the VFNJ began not in an office, but in the therapeutic quiet of a hayfield. After struggling to find his footing in the early 90s, Pristas found solace in the physical demands of agricultural work. "I was pretty lost when I got out," Pristas recalls. "There was no transition. I needed people to keep me grounded and help me stay there."
That grounding came from a Vietnam veteran mentor and the visceral, satisfying labor of baling hay on a roommate’s family farm. Although Pristas would spend the next 13 years building a successful career in big pharma and environmental science, the tranquility of the farm never left him.
In 2022, a conversation with Devin Cornia, Executive Director of the Northeast Organic Farming Association (NOFA-NJ), provided the catalyst for what would become VFNJ. Recognizing a gap in support services for veterans interested in agriculture, Cornia encouraged Pristas to formalize a program. By 2023, VFNJ was officially launched as a clearinghouse for agricultural opportunity. The program operates on a simple but profound premise: farming provides the structure, the community, and the tangible results that many veterans lose when they hang up their uniforms.
Chronology of Growth: Scaling a Vision
The evolution of VFNJ has been rapid, characterized by a transition from a grassroots initiative to a structured organization with statewide impact.
- 2022: Initial discussions between Cliff Pristas and NOFA-NJ’s Devin Cornia regarding the need for a veteran-specific agricultural support network in New Jersey.
- 2023: Official launch of the Veteran Farmers of New Jersey (VFNJ). The organization begins offering free workshops, networking events, and mentorship to veterans and active-duty personnel.
- 2024: The organization gains momentum, partnering with established local farms and expanding its curriculum to include technical aspects of farm management, such as soil science, bookkeeping, and crop fertility.
- 2025/2026 (Present): VFNJ begins the process of transitioning into an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit, expanding its outreach to military installations like Fort Dix, and scaling its fundraising efforts through initiatives like "Spark’s Choice" coffee.
Supporting Data and Real-World Impact
The efficacy of VFNJ is measured not just in acres or bushels, but in the personal trajectories of its members. Since its inception, more than 100 veterans have engaged with the program. These participants range from those seeking a small-scale homesteading experience to those managing large-scale commercial operations.
One standout example is the Smith Poultry Farm in Williamstown. Kyle Smith, an active-duty Air Force aircraft maintainer, operates the farm alongside his mother, Effie. With the guidance and network provided by VFNJ, the Smiths successfully scaled their operations to process thousands of eggs and whole hogs annually, serving families across South Jersey and Philadelphia.
The program also provides high-level technical assistance. Currently, VFNJ is working with a veteran in Warren County to navigate the complexities of a 30-acre land lease and critical infrastructure for crop storage. Perhaps most poignant is the story of Tim Fallon, a Marine blinded by an IED in Afghanistan. Through the support and resources of the VFNJ community, Fallon has realized his dream of becoming a beekeeper—a testament to the program’s commitment to accessibility and inclusive agricultural education.
Perspectives from the Field: Why Farming Works
The feedback from participants highlights a common theme: farming acts as a form of "therapeutic architecture." Ashley Asdal, who owns Riamede Farm in Chester and separated from the Navy in 2020, notes that the social aspect of VFNJ was as important as the agricultural training.
"I thought, ‘What resources are out there? What are other farmers doing?’" Asdal says. "Their veteran ag retreat offers so much and exposes us to new places and people who can help. It’s important to give people a landing place."
Kyle Smith echoes this sentiment, noting that for those who have served, the camaraderie found in farming mimics the unit cohesion of the military. "It’s hard to return to society and be a civilian," Smith explains. "Farming is therapy, and VFNJ is a pathway for veterans to restructure their lives and find a new purpose. I love having this outlet for us to work together and help each other, putting differences aside and sharing our experiences."
The Strategic Mission: Addressing the Mental Health Crisis
The urgency of the VFNJ mission is underscored by sobering national statistics. According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, nearly 6,400 veterans died by suicide in 2023. Pristas is acutely aware that for many, the loss of purpose is a primary driver of this tragedy.
"There’s a real emphasis on helping individuals, especially the mental health aspect," Pristas says. "It’s about fellowship and helping vets overcome challenges in life, from PTSD to finding a new skill set. So many are suffering, and it doesn’t have to be that way."
To combat this, VFNJ is focusing on three strategic pillars:
- Direct Support: Providing one-on-one mentorship for business planning, land acquisition, and technical farm operations.
- Professional Development: Offering free training sessions on everything from organic certification to financial management, ensuring that veterans can build sustainable, profitable businesses.
- Awareness and Outreach: Utilizing community visibility, such as the "Spark’s Choice" coffee brand (named after the organization’s mascot dog, Spark), to raise funds and educate the public about the intersection of veterans’ rights and agricultural sustainability.
Implications for the Future of New Jersey Agriculture
The implications of VFNJ’s work extend far beyond the veteran community. With the average age of the American farmer steadily rising, there is an urgent need for a new generation of agricultural stewards. By providing veterans with the tools to take over existing operations or start their own, VFNJ is helping to alleviate the critical shortage of farmers in the state.
As VFNJ moves toward becoming an independent nonprofit, its goal is to reach the hundreds of veterans in New Jersey who have yet to discover the program. By presenting to service members at military bases like Fort Dix, the organization is intervening early, offering a tangible "post-service" plan before a veteran even enters the civilian job market.
Ultimately, the story of the Veteran Farmers of New Jersey is a story of resilience. It is an acknowledgment that while the skills required for combat and the skills required for cultivation may seem worlds apart, they share a common foundation: the discipline to endure, the patience to nurture, and the commitment to something larger than oneself. For the veterans who have found their way to these fields, the soil has become more than a place to work; it has become a place to heal, to build, and to belong.
As Pristas continues his work, his message remains clear: the sacrifice made by veterans should be honored by providing them with the opportunity to thrive in a civilian capacity. "We’re honoring veterans who have made this sacrifice," he says, "and we are helping them plant the seeds for a future that is entirely their own."
