Who we are at Parsons Farm, LLC.

I proudly served for 28 years in both the United States Marine Corps and the United States Army, with multiple deployments in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF). During my service, I encountered Major Dick Winters’ book, Beyond the Band of Brothers. One quote, in particular, resonated deeply with me: “I built the peace that I promised myself if I survived D-Day, one stone at a time.” Inspired by this, I realized I couldn’t retire without a new mission.

This led me to start my own private farm. The farm represents both a physical and spiritual challenge, offering the chance to be self-sustainable and provide a meaningful service to others. Today, I still fly for a helicopter air ambulance company, delivering lifesaving medical transport to those in urgent need.

My wife and I began with a 16-acre property, building a barn, acquiring a tractor, and raising two steers. Over the past eight years, we’ve expanded to 86 acres, 32 head of cattle, and have added another barn, a hay baler, cutter, rake, and other implements. Neither of us had a farming background—my closest experience was square hay baling in high school. With the support of the University of Tennessee Extension and the Natural Resources Conservation Service, we’ve received the training and resources needed to aim for a sustainable, model farm.

An unexpected benefit of this endeavor has been the opportunity to sponsor an ARCA racing car, local softball and baseball teams, and enjoy the satisfaction of working for ourselves. Looking ahead, with the help of the Farmer Veteran Coalition of Tennessee, I hope to share resources and knowledge with other veterans seeking to build their own “peace.”