For many military personnel, the transition from the structured, high-stakes environment of service to the relative quiet of civilian life is not a peaceful homecoming, but a disorienting freefall. Sergeant Cliff Pristas, a veteran of the U.S. Army, knows this struggle intimately. When he transitioned out of the military in 1991, he found himself "unmoored." The sudden loss of mission, camaraderie, and rigid daily structure created a void that few civilian sectors were equipped to fill.
"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 eventually came from an unlikely source: the soil. Through a series of chance encounters and personal healing, Pristas discovered the therapeutic power of agriculture. Today, he is the driving force behind the Veteran Farmers of New Jersey (VFNJ), an organization established in 2023 to ensure that no veteran in the Garden State has to face that post-service transition alone. By bridging the gap between military service and agricultural entrepreneurship, VFNJ is not just helping veterans grow food—it is helping them reclaim their lives.
The Genesis of VFNJ: A Mission of Sustenance
The path to creating VFNJ was rooted in Pristas’s own journey. Following his service, he found solace in the repetitive, meditative work of baling hay on a roommate’s family farm while attending Penn State. Although he spent the subsequent 13 years navigating the high-pressure worlds of big pharma and environmental science, the sense of purpose he felt on the farm remained a guiding light.
In 2022, a connection with the Northeast Organic Farming Association (NOFA-NJ) provided the catalyst for change. Executive Director Devin Cornia recognized the potential in Pristas’s vision, encouraging him to formalize a support system for veterans. By 2023, VFNJ was officially launched.
The program functions as a comprehensive clearinghouse, offering a suite of free services—including workshops, networking events, mentorship programs, job placement, and fellowships—designed to lower the barriers to entry for veterans interested in agriculture. Whether it is understanding the complexities of soil science, mastering crop fertility, or navigating the bureaucratic hurdles of bookkeeping and land leasing, VFNJ acts as a vital bridge for those looking to plant their roots in New Jersey’s agricultural landscape.
Chronology of Growth: From Concept to Community
The development of VFNJ has been swift, fueled by an urgent need within the veteran community.
- 1991–2021: The "lost years." Veterans like Cliff Pristas navigate the civilian world, often experiencing the alienation common to those transitioning from military service.
- 2022: Pristas connects with NOFA-NJ. Plans are drafted to create a structured support network for veteran farmers in New Jersey.
- 2023: VFNJ is officially launched. The organization begins hosting training sessions, ranging from mushroom cultivation to vineyard management.
- 2024: The program reaches a critical mass, with over 100 veterans actively engaging with the organization. Partnerships with local roasters like Homestead Coffee Roasters are established to fund scholarships.
- Present Day: VFNJ is currently transitioning toward becoming an independent nonprofit, expanding its outreach to military installations like Fort Dix to reach transitioning service members before they fully enter civilian life.
Supporting Data: The Vital Necessity of Purpose
The urgency of VFNJ’s mission is underscored by sobering statistics regarding veteran mental health. According to data from the Department of Veterans Affairs, nearly 6,400 veterans died by suicide in 2023. For Pristas and his colleagues, these figures are not just statistics; they are a call to action.
"There’s a real emphasis on helping individuals, especially the mental health aspect," Pristas explains. "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."
The program is also addressing a secondary, systemic crisis: the aging and dwindling population of American farmers. By facilitating on-farm internships and providing technical assistance, VFNJ is not only providing veterans with a career path but also securing the future of New Jersey’s food systems. The organization’s impact is already visible: one participant is managing a 30-acre lease in Warren County, while another is establishing a homestead operation in the wake of their service.
Perhaps the most poignant example of the program’s impact is Tim Fallon, a Marine blinded by an IED in Afghanistan. With the support of VFNJ and his fellow veterans, Fallon has realized his dream of becoming a beekeeper—a testament to the organization’s commitment to inclusivity and adaptive agriculture.
Official Perspectives: Stories of Resilient Reintegration
The success of VFNJ is best measured through the experiences of those who have navigated the program. Kyle Smith, an active-duty Air Force member, serves as a prime example of the program’s dual-purpose nature. Alongside his mother, Effie, Smith operates Smith Poultry Farm in Williamstown.
"It’s hard to return to society and be a civilian," Smith says. "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."
For Ashley Asdal, owner of Riamede Farm in Chester and a Navy veteran, the challenge was twofold: transitioning out of the military and doing so during the isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic. "I thought, ‘What resources are out there? What are other farmers doing?’" Asdal notes. The VFNJ veteran ag retreats provided her with the network she needed. "It’s important to give people a landing place. There’s an amazing ag community in New Jersey, but it took a moment to find it. VFNJ helped me get there."
Implications for the Future: Expanding the Reach
As VFNJ looks toward the future, the primary obstacle remains awareness. Despite helping over 100 veterans, Pristas believes there are hundreds more who could benefit from the program.
To bridge this gap, the organization is employing innovative strategies. "Spark," a German Shepherd/Border Collie rescue, has become the face of the organization. As the namesake for "Spark’s Choice" coffee—a private label created in partnership with Homestead Coffee Roasters—the dog helps raise funds for scholarships and education. The effort has been remarkably successful, with the brand on track to sell 3,000 boxes of coffee this year.
This funding is crucial as VFNJ prepares to transition into an independent nonprofit entity. By presenting to service members at Fort Dix, the organization is working to shift the conversation from "crisis intervention" to "proactive transition planning."
A New Definition of Service
The work being done by VFNJ is, in many ways, an extension of the service its members once provided to the country. By nurturing the land, these veterans are continuing a tradition of duty, albeit in a different arena.
"We’re honoring veterans who have made this sacrifice," Pristas says. His transition from corporate life to full-time advocacy for VFNJ is a testament to his belief that when veterans are given the right tools, the right community, and a tangible sense of purpose, they don’t just survive—they thrive.
As New Jersey continues to face the challenges of climate change, food security, and rural development, the Veteran Farmers of New Jersey stands as a beacon of resilience. The organization proves that while the scars of war may be deep, they are not the end of the story. With a bit of dirt under their fingernails and a community to call their own, these veterans are planting the seeds for a brighter, more sustainable future.
