Helping Veterans Find Solace and Healing at Comfort Farms

Thanks for tuning in to this episode of the BBQ Beat Podcast featuring Jon Jackson of Comfort Farms.

More and more, Americans are taking an active role in learning about where their food comes from. Whether vegetables or proteins, companies are starting to increase the way they market and label their offerings to cater to consumers who want to know more about where and how it’s produced.

But is this enough?

Are the major food producers in America really buying into the idea of a slower food movement, or are they still, by in large, maintaining traditional high volume food production methods while still operating pretty much as they always have?

While I suspect that it’s a case of the latter, I’d have to speak with some of these companies personally to take a definitive stand.

What I can do instead, is focus on the goals and desires of a true food and community service visionary, one who seeks to serve his community and his brothers and sisters in arms.

I’m speaking here of course about Jon Jackson a United States Veteran who served his six combat deployments as an Army Ranger from 2003-2015.

Jon runs Comfort Farms as an Acute Veterans Crisis Agriculture Center in Milledgeville, GA – about 30 miles northeast of Macon.

Comfort Farms is named in Honor of Army Ranger Captain Kyle A. Comfort, (KIA, May 8, 2010), with whom Jon served. Comfort died at the age of 27 in Afghanistan from wounds he sustained when insurgents attacked their unit with an improvised explosive device.

Dontate to Stagvets Inc and Comfort Farms Today!

Focusing on heritage breed animals and heirloom vegetable varieties, Comfort Farms raises animals like American Mule Foot, Keo Keo, and Roayl Jabalí hogs (the last two being Comfort Farms exclusives). They also raise heritage cross rabbits, as well as ducks, geese, and turkeys.

Vegetables featured heavily in the Comfort Farms lineup as well, with varieties ranging from beets, turnips, heirloom carrots, kale, Bok and Pak Choy, and herbs like fennel, rosemary, oregano, thyme, and mint.

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I remember being overseas thinking about my dream job as a civilian. I wanted to open my own smokehouse. I didn't know about hogs or farming. All I knew was good eating! But I realized that in order to be the best I would need the best stock and to do it day in and out I would need build an amazing network of some awesome farmers.. After 6 combat deployments and the loss of several good friends in combat and back at home to suicide… I found myself in this space creating my dream. Producing some of the best pork in the south east and networking with some amazing farmers who hustle everyday. I smile in satisfaction to know that I am honoring my fellow vets everyday and bringing honor to my Ranger Buddy Kyle A Comfort through Comfort Farms. I remember telling Andrew Zimmern that I don't want folks to support us just because we are Vets.. I want folks to support us because we are just that good. We create an awesome product on Comfort Farms. We raise one of Americas last endangered Heritage hogs.. the American Mulefoot along with Mangalista and old school Heritage lines as our foundation breeds for restaraunts and markets. Currently we serve a couple of outlets in Georgia and we are looking to do more with Chefs that are looking for an amazing product. Our pork speaks for itself as we treat our boutique heritage hog operation like a fine well aged whisky. And to bring it all together… 100% of everything we sell goes back into our non-profit to help Veterans transition back into Civilian life by using Agriculture as a vehicle to heal. Interested in supporting us.. Send me a message to jon@stagvetsinc.org Photo credits http://www.carlislekellam.com/ #heritagehogs #porkstar #grillporn #mulefoot #mangalista #veterans #farmers #farmersmarket #georgia #atlanta #foodie #farmerchef #cochon555 #jamesbeard #cheflife #bestporkever
A post shared by Comfort Farms (@comfortfarms) on Feb 2, 2018 at 7:10pm PST

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We were honored and blessed for Chef Thei Host of "The Virgin Gourmet" a 7 episode series featuring his magnificent cooking from the Virgin Islands stop by the farm today with his family. in addition to many other accomplishments he was Also featured on @wendyshow showcasing Carribean Cuisine. The young ladies loved the animals and it was great chopping it with Chef Theo on Sustainability from the farm. Everything about Chef Theo is intertwined in his ability to use fresh and raw ingredients to its fullest extent. We love the fact that he is a true seasonal chef and We look forward to some future on Farm dining events. #chefofinstagram #cheflife #carribean #family #harvest #foodnetwork #knifeskills
A post shared by Comfort Farms (@comfortfarms) on Mar 25, 2019 at 7:24pm PDT

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Fellow veteran "C" yes that's his name is out helping us clear a spot for our fall/winter garden. One of the best things to happen on this farm was the purchase of our @johndeere tractor donated to us by the #emilybenetarfoundation. Our program is unique in the aspect that it is peer led, so that veterans feel comfortable talking about issues that bother them with other veterans they feel safe talking to. We share the same mission and use the farm and it's substantial business model to achieve organizational goals. To date we have seen hundreds of veterans come through our farm and recieve approx 10k annually in visitors who support our mission. We are being asked to do alot more that will require a small strategic staff with systems in place and the pathway to accreditation with the final impact to give world class care to Veterans and their families. We could only achieve this with strategic fiscal partners who want to see positive change. If you have been following us and like our work and will like to help us take our organization to the next level. Please send a message to info@Stagvetsinc.org to request information on being a Fiscal Sponsor and the impact we will achieve with your partnership. #nonprofit #sponsors #donors #creatingourownchange #veterans #family #community #mindfullness #agriculture #georgia #farming #stateofzen #hardwork
A post shared by Comfort Farms (@comfortfarms) on Aug 10, 2019 at 6:11am PDT

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Spending time with Brutus today. He will be our Boucherie Pig for Jan 17-19, 2020. There is no other breed on the planet like this one. I created this breed with both ancient, Royal and modern day lines to create the Royal Jabalí specifically for pork fanciers who appreciate the best utilization for high end pork products. I am just not creating a breed because it's something cool to do. It's because I have an undeniable love for my beloved American Mule Foot that I do not want to see those ancient genetics get lost due to a very small gene pool. And yes in Ancient we are talking about as far back as Aristotle and the Ancient Romans who prized these pigs for their delicious hams. Some how I was lucky to pick up the torch and carry it just a little bit further by improving upon the breed. Brutus is a gentle giant, intelligent with a beautiful soul. I could very well net a pretty penny on the sale of this hog to an exclusive chef in the city… But in typical Jon Jackson fashion im gonna share him with my family and closet friends. It means the World to me to give the best in every thing I do and although providing sustenance through Brutus will be a tearful moment… It was what he was born to do. I promise you all that come to our Boucherie… Your experience will be enriched by commraderie, wholesome fellowship and a deeper respect for farmers like myself who truly love the livestock and the food we raise. Until then keep drinking plenty of water and follow us for updates at the Georgia Boucherie Festivals FB and Website. #farmers #boucherie #raisingthemright
A post shared by Comfort Farms (@comfortfarms) on Aug 18, 2019 at 12:40pm PDT

But remember, the animals, vegetables, herbs, and spices raised by Comfort Farms represent just one part of their overall mission. There’s a therapeutic and healing element that forms the backbone of what they’re all about.

One of the mantras expressed at Comfort Farms is that we achieve growth through discomfort. While this might seem counter-intuitive to some, the message is a powerful one.

The idea is that we often need to get out of our comfort zone and recognize the fact that change – whether physical or mental, can only happen by being intentional about our lives. We also must realize that sacrifice is a part of life, and that the animals we eat are sacrificed for our well-being – and we need to honor that sacrifice.

Jon does an amazing job of sharing his story and the origins and mission of Comfort Farms in this episode.

If you enjoy what you hear, please consider sharing it with others!

Le Pied Du Mont Boucherie Festival

It’s still not too late to grab tickets to the 2020 Georgia State Boucherie festival benefitting Comfort Farms, known as Le Pied Du Mont Boucherie!

Purhcase Tickets Here!

This festival serves as a fundraiser and educational gathering of Butchers, Chefs, Farmers and Veterans coming together to celebrate the start of our growing season. But most importantly we aim to support of STAG VETS INCs’, Agro-Cognitive Behavioral Therapy program to help combat veterans transition effectively into civilian life on our facility Comfort Farms, the nation’s first Veterans Acute Crisis Agriculture Center.

The Le Pied Du Mont Boucherie festival is a two-day educational event, designed to bring the community together to witness the craft of butchers, farmers, and chefs who work together throughout the growing season to prepare seasonal and delicious meals from local, sustainable and organic sources.

Not only to is this a celebration it’s an opportunity to learn. The onsite education portion of the event will consist of safe handling of livestock, humane dispatch, how to evaluate a healthy carcass, butchering techniques, understanding our growing season, identifying problems and solutions for a more healthy food system as well as how our veterans can take an active role to provide food security for our local communities.

Be Sure to Listen to More Episodes!

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