ATHOL — Jake Alexander has never been in the military. But that doesn’t mean he can’t serve his country.
Originally from Abington, Alexander was scouring the real estate website, Zillow.com, last year for a potential spot to open a bed-and-breakfast and saw an old farm in Athol once owned by the family that operated the N.D. Cass Co.
“This is beautiful,” he recalls thinking. “I can run this.”
Alexander, 29, bought the property in January and immediately began bringing to fruition his vision of a place where veterans can live and voluntarily invest time in agriculture to boost self-esteem and grow food for the community. Vets & Veggies, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization at 844 Chestnut Hill, is the product of this effort.
“I had wanted to give back to the veterans for a while,” he said. “And, growing up, my father owned a garden center.”
Alexander explained he aims to have Vets & Veggies serve as “the last step” veterans need before fully reintegrating into society. Last month, the Selectboard voted to grant the organization a lodging permit so it can accommodate up to 10 veterans. Alexander said that, so far, two former service members live on the property and another, who lives in Petersham, works as the farm’s manager. Alexander said two are Army veterans and the third is a Marine. All three found Vets & Veggies through word of mouth, Alexander said.
Alexander, a union laborer by trade, has stressed Vets & Veggies has no counselors or therapists and the veterans who will be there have already been through programs to deal with any issues they have as a result of their military experience. According to vetsandveggies.com, the organization aims to occupy veterans’ hands and minds while they learn to become stewards of the land and “build sustainable gardens that will help feed our communities.”
The property offers drug- and alcohol-free facilities for male veterans of all ages. Alexander said veterans can “find a purpose each and every day” by gardening, feeding animals and building fences if they so choose. He owns six acres and leases 22 more with hopes of buying. He has goats, pigs and one horse, and plans to get two more horses this week.
Alexander hopes to further build camaraderie by selling shares to a community-supported agriculture program in which people can pick their own produce that is grown by the veterans living on his property. He said this would be a great way for children to learn about veterans and about where their food comes from. He said he envisions growing “everything in a salad,” such as lettuce, tomatoes, carrots and beets.
The Selectboard has also approved a one-day beer and wine license so Vets & Veggies can hold a pig roast and cornhole tournament fundraiser today. Alexander said there will be pony rides, Vets & Veggies T-shirt sales, a beer tent and a raffle. Tickets are $25 per tournament team and $25 per person for barbecue. He expects 100 to 150 people to attend.