Today we’d like to introduce you to Matt & Kara Rutter.
Hi Matt & Kara, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
It all started with a surprise—one that involved a jacuzzi tub full of ducklings.
Our farm journey began in Aiken, South Carolina. Kara went to the Middle East for work for the Army, and Matt went to Tractor Supply “just to look around.” By the time Kara came home from the desert, the laundry room was full of chicks and ducklings were paddling around the jacuzzi tub. Surprise! We’re farmers now.
That unexpected beginning turned into something much bigger. As Army veterans, we both knew how grounding and healing it could be to work the land. We also knew that transitioning from military to civilian life isn’t easy. So we founded Project Victory Gardens, a nonprofit dedicated to helping other veterans find purpose, community, and opportunity through agriculture.
In 2021, we moved the farm to Upstate South Carolina, where we are currently located. We received the first USDA Enhancing Agricultural Opportunities for Military Veterans (AgVets) grant in South Carolina, focusing our programming on helping transitioning service members and veterans find their place in the agricultural landscape.
One of our proudest accomplishments is our Agritourism Incubator Program—a hands-on training initiative that equips veterans to open their farms to the public, share their stories, and create new income streams. We believe agritourism is about more than just pumpkins and hayrides—it’s about healing, connection, and showing others what’s possible when you plant roots with purpose.
We’ve come a long way since the ducklings in the tub (now they are in the living room!), but the heart of it remains the same: grow food, grow community, and grow hope.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Smooth? Not even close. But the bumps in the road are where we’ve done some of our best growing.
Like many small farms and grassroots nonprofits, our journey has been anything but easy. In 2021, we moved our entire operation from Aiken to Townville, South Carolina—livestock, tools, and all. It was a leap of faith, driven by a need for more space and more potential. But moving a farm is no small feat. We built new infrastructure from scratch, often with more grit than budget.
And as if that weren’t enough, we decided to pursue our PhDs at the same time. So yes—we’re full-time doctoral students by day, farmers and nonprofit founders by night (and often vice versa). There have been days when we defended academic theories in the morning and delivered piglets in the afternoon.
Balancing it all—grant writing, animal care, curriculum development, school, advocacy, and actual life—has tested us. We’ve wrestled with burnout, weathered financial uncertainty, and navigated the uphill battle of convincing others that veterans in agriculture matter.
But through it all, the mission has stayed clear. Food security is national security and veterans remain the best opportunity to address the complex challenges of our agricultural sector. Every obstacle reaffirmed our commitment to Project Victory Gardens. Because for every fence we’ve had to fix, there’s been a veteran who told us, “This gave me purpose again.” And that’s what keeps us going.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Project Victory Gardens is more than a nonprofit—it’s a movement rooted in the idea that farming heals, and veterans grow strong when given the tools, training, and support to thrive.
At our core, we help veterans transition from military service to agricultural service. We provide mentorship, education, and resources to support their success as farmers, agritourism operators, and community leaders. Our newest initiative, the Agritourism Incubator Program, is the first of its kind. It gives veteran farmers a step-by-step roadmap for turning their farms into destinations—places where people can connect, learn, and experience the healing power of agriculture firsthand.
We’re known for blending boots-on-the-ground practicality with deep care. We don’t just offer a curriculum—we show up. We help veterans build their business plans, develop their brand stories, and have frequently sent them home with goats, turkeys, or literal “seed money”. We believe in starting small, staying rooted, and growing with intention.
What sets us apart is the community we cultivate. We’re not here to check boxes or push paper—we’re here to build something that lasts. Our approach honors both the mission-first mindset of the military and the unpredictable, beautifully messy nature of farm life.
Brand-wise, we’re most proud of how our work feels. Whether it’s a social media post, a raised garden bed, or our curly-haired pigs, we aim to be real, welcoming, and mission-driven. We never try to talk anyone into farming, quite the opposite! If someone goes through our internship program and realizes that farming is not their calling, we would rather they learn that before they buy land, put in infrastructure, and have a pasture full of pigs.
We recently launched Farms of the Brave, a certification program that helps the public easily identify veteran-led agritourism farms. From farm stays to pick-your-own produce, certified farms display the Farms of the Brave seal, so visitors know they’re supporting those who have served—and who now serve their communities through agriculture.
If you’re a veteran looking to grow—literally or figuratively—we’re here. And if you’re a supporter looking to invest in something meaningful, we’d love to welcome you into our garden.
So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
What matters most to us is the belief that food security is national security—and that veterans are uniquely equipped to lead the way.
Our country is facing a quiet crisis. Farmers are aging out, rural communities are shrinking, and fewer young people are stepping into agricultural roles. At the same time, many veterans return home searching for a new mission, one rooted in purpose, discipline, and service. Farming offers all of that—and more.
Veterans have the skills, resilience, and sense of duty that agriculture desperately needs. They understand hard work. They’re not afraid of early mornings, muddy boots, or long odds. And perhaps most importantly, they’re mission-driven. When you give a veteran a reason to grow, they will move mountains—or at least compost piles.
At Project Victory Gardens, we believe investing in veteran-led agriculture isn’t just the right thing to do—it’s the smart thing to do. It strengthens rural economies, builds resilient food systems, and gives our nation’s heroes a powerful new way to serve.
Because at the end of the day, what could be more patriotic than growing food, feeding neighbors, and protecting the land we all call home?
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.projectvictorygardens.org/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/projectvictorygardens
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/projectvictorygardens
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/project-victory-gardens
