Brian is a United States Marine Corps veteran who served as a UH-1N Huey crew chief and door gunner (MOS 6174). During his time in service, he deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Brian's military experience taught him discipline, adaptability, teamwork, and mission-focused leadership under pressure. He was honored to receive the Air Medal and Combat Aircrew Wings, and he continues to carry the values of service, hard work, and commitment into his life today as a farmer and steward of the land.
"The Farmer Veteran Coalition has helped reinforce that I’m not the only one trying to build something meaningful after military service. Farming can be isolating, especially when you’re starting small and figuring it out as you go. FVC has helped make that path feel more legitimate and more connected to a larger community of veterans doing the same kind of work."
"For my farm, it has helped give some added credibility to what we’re building. Being recognized as a veteran-run operation matters. Customers respond to that, and it helps tell our story in an honest way. More than anything, it connects my time in the military to the work I’m doing now. I’m not serving in uniform anymore, but I still care deeply about hard work, responsibility, and contributing something worthwhile. Farming has become an extension of that, and FVC has helped validate it."
Collins Family Farm is a small, veteran-run family farm in Moose Lake, Minnesota. They raise livestock with a focus on quality, transparency, and responsible stewardship. Their farm includes pasture-raised Berkshire pork, table eggs, hatching eggs, and small-scale poultry breeding projects, all built around a hands-on, intentionally managed approach.
What sets them apart is how they raise their animals. Their livestock are raised on pasture and fed a certified organic, non-GMO, soy-free ration. They care a lot about doing things the right way, even when that means more work or higher cost. For them, this is about producing food they are proud to feed their own family and proud to offer to others.
"We are still growing, but the business is built on a clear purpose: to raise high-quality farm products, care well for the land and animals, and build something meaningful for our family and community. It is a practical working farm, not a hobby, and every step we take is focused on building a sustainable operation the right way."
Brian got into agriculture after the military because he still wanted work with purpose. He wanted to build something real, take care of something that mattered, and stay connected to the values that shaped him in service. Farming gave him that.
"It has become a way to invest in my family, care for the land, and produce food in a way I can stand behind. The mission looks different now, but the mindset is still the same."
"Farming continues my sense of service because it is work that directly matters. I am caring for land, raising animals responsibly, and producing food for other families. That carries real responsibility, and I take it seriously. To me, being an American farmer means hard work, stewardship, and self-reliance. It means building something honest, providing for others, and staying committed even when the work is hard. In many ways, it feels like a continuation of service — just in a different form."
