When I first interviewed Kara and Matt Rutter of Rutter’s Ranch and Project Victory Gardens in Episode 62 of the Agri-Tourist Podcast, we explored how veteran farmers are strengthening America’s food system. Just a few months later, their work has expanded dramatically — earning national recognition and launching new statewide agritourism initiatives that are reshaping what veteran-led agriculture looks like in South Carolina.
Most recently, Matt Rutter was awarded the American Farm Bureau Veteran Farmer Award of Excellence, a national honor presented in partnership with Farm Credit at the American Farm Bureau Convention in Anaheim, California.
Kara shared:
“He was able to be up on the big national stage in front of 4,500 people… it was really exciting.”
The award also includes $10,000 in funding — which Matt is reinvesting directly into care farming programming at Rutter’s Ranch.
Farms of the Brave: A Statewide Veteran-Led Agritourism Movement
One of the most exciting developments is the growth of Farms of the Brave, an agritourism incubator supporting veteran-led farms.
After launching its first cohort last year, the second group is now forming — and this spring marks a major milestone:
The First Statewide Farms of the Brave Ag & Art Tour
Memorial Day Weekend | May 22–25 | South Carolina
Unlike traditional county-based tours, this will be a statewide agritourism event featuring approximately 30 veteran-led farms paired with veteran artists.
Visitors can expect:
- Farm tours at veteran-owned operations
- Veteran woodworkers, painters, fiber artists & craftsmen
- Distilleries and wineries
- Gullah campfire dinners
- Live demonstrations
- Free public access across the state
“We really think we can do this event on a time that’s sensitive for veterans… and highlight their experience.”
Hosting the event over Memorial Day weekend is intentional. It creates space to honor fallen service members while highlighting how veterans continue serving through agriculture.
As Kara powerfully put it:
“Food security is national security. This is just the next chapter of service.”
That statement encapsulates the entire Farms of the Brave mission.
Veteran Farmers, Entrepreneurship & Agritourism Innovation
Beyond events, Kara’s PhD research at Clemson University is taking a deep dive into agritourism as rural entrepreneurship. Her dissertation evaluates the Agritourism Incubator model — analyzing what works, what doesn’t, and how veteran farmers can build sustainable agritourism businesses.
She explains:
“Most entrepreneurial theory is based on an urban lens… we need to celebrate what rural communities have.”
This perspective is critical. Too often rural entrepreneurship is viewed through a deficit model — what’s missing instead of what’s possible.
Rutters Ranch is proving what’s possible.
Farmer Boot Camp & The New Accelerator Program
Their flagship Farmer Boot Camp continues to grow, attracting veterans from across the country who want to transition into agriculture.
Now they’re launching a new program:
Farmer Boot Camp Accelerator
This two-day intensive helps veteran farmers move from concept to completed business plan — with guided mentorship and structured writing time.
The goal?
Participants leave with a nearly finished business plan ready for grant submissions, including funding from the Farmer Veteran Coalition Fellowship Fund or financing applications.
Demand has already exceeded expectations.
“I had to cut it off so we could keep the groups small.”
That’s a good problem to have.
Care Farming: Addressing Isolation and Loneliness Through Agriculture
Another powerful initiative gaining traction is their revival of “Coffee & Chores,” a care farming model that connects veterans to the farm environment to address social isolation and loneliness.
Matt’s research examines both:
- Mental health benefits
- Physical health outcomes
Kara referenced the Surgeon General’s report on isolation and loneliness — highlighting the documented physical health consequences of disconnection.
If their research confirms what many farmers already know intuitively, it could significantly strengthen the case for care farming nationwide.
“If we can show that getting out on the farm is great not just for mental health, but physical health as well — that’s really important.”
This is where academic rigor meets boots-in-the-dirt experience.
Expanding Beyond South Carolina
Currently, Farms of the Brave includes approximately 35 farms, primarily in South Carolina and North Carolina. But expansion is already underway.
With a new website launching soon, Rutters Ranch plans to scale Farms of the Brave nationally — potentially creating coordinated regional or national agritourism events in the future.
States like Montana and New York have already expressed interest.
The momentum is building.
A Model for Veteran-Led Food System Resilience
From national awards to statewide agritourism tours, from farmer education programs to academic research on rural entrepreneurship, Rutters Ranch represents a powerful model:
- Veteran entrepreneurship
- Agritourism development
- Care farming innovation
- Rural economic resilience
- Food security leadership
And at the center of it all is connection.
As Kara reflected:
“The entire success of all of our programming is built on connections and relationships.”
That may be the most important takeaway.
Agriculture, at its best, is about relationships — to land, to community, to service, and to purpose.
And Rutter’s Ranch is proving that veteran-led agriculture isn’t just strengthening America’s food system.
It’s strengthening rural communities, one farm at a time.
Click here to listen to the full episode 89 with Kara Rutter.