Despite coming from a long line of farmers, Nicola “Nick” Lesourd was discouraged from farming to focus on a regular job and career. But today he is exploring those familial roots with his Huila Farm on the big island of Hawai’i.

He joined the Coast Guard in 2001 and was first stationed in Kodiak, Alaska. He later coordinated search-and-rescue operations out of Coast Guard Sector San Diego and received the Coast Guard Achievement Medal. After enlisting in the reserves in 2010, Nick supported efforts with the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico and was deployed to disaster missions for California wildfires and for Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria.

During the last 10 years of his Coast Guard career, Nick started some landscape and food garden projects as well as raising backyard chickens. He grew more serious about farming after retiring from the military in 2021.

After relocating to the big island of Hawai’i in 2022, Nick took part in the GoFarm Hawai’I AgXcel program and earned a certificate in professional development.

He began the farm in July 2023, naming it the Hawai’ian word for “wheel” inspired by the collection of vintage wagon and tractor wheels on his family's farm in Bakersfield, California.

“Farming is very hard work and at times I often think to myself, ‘What the heck am I doing?’ My military career seemed much easier and more defined,” Nick said. “This is a full-time endeavor and I’m learning more about expanding patience and respecting time; everything takes both.”

Nick applied for and received a Fellowship Fund grant from the Safeway Foundation. It enabled him to purchase items for his BCS two-wheel tractor, specifically a Buddy Cart, dozer blade and a flail mower.

“That’s aided with expanding my growing area and clearing invasive vegetation from the back portion of my property for eventual agroforestry projects and a native forest restoration project via USDA NRCS grant funding,” Nick said. “It makes my farm tasks much more achievable and places less strain on my body.”

The farm has Homegrown By Heroes-certified eggs, vegetables and flowers, as well as soaps and candles made by his wife Jaime. They hope to expand to honey, bees wax and value-added products such as spices, sauces and canned goods.

“I believe farming is a great outlet for Veterans seeking a new path in their post-service life,” Nick said. “That being said, be prepared for hard work, challenges, setbacks, and small rewards.”

He is glad to be able to serve his community and trying to help provide food security on the island.

“I feel blessed to be able to experience and embark on this journey of becoming a farmer and small business owner,” he said.