Sandra joined the Army Reserve in 1997 and got the best job ever - Logistics (88N). She was assigned to 143rd Transcom (currently 143D ESC). Her first deployment to Iraq was from 2004-2005. While there, her unit was responsible for receiving and staging convoys from Kuwait. Her second deployment to Iraq was from 2008-2009. Upon returning home from that deployment, she was sworn in as an Officer and immediately completed her training as a Logistics Officer (90A). In 2010, she accepted a position in Afghanistan as a contractor in support of 401ST AFSB, where she was responsible for the RPAT (Retrograde Property Accountability Team).

"May 1, 2026, I was one of many awesome veteran farmers who were awarded the Farmer Veteran Fellowship Fund. With this generous award I will be installing a greenhouse which will extend my growing season to year-round. This will allow me to maintain revenue for my farm, when I would otherwise not be earning."

Old Dog Farm, LLC is located in Pendleton, SC. They are a producer for pastured eggs, seasonal meat chickens & Jumbo Coturnix quail. They also grow seasonal rare and heirloom produce, herbs & cut flowers. Registered SC meat handler & poultry slaughter. Their aim is to provide their community with produce and herbs they will not find anywhere else in the region.

Sandra was raised in an agricultural community and participated in FFA in high school. Her great-great grandparents owned an egg farm and her grandparents farmed their land for over 40 years. Establishing her own farm was a natural progression for her once she had a piece of land that was viable for farming.

"Farming gives me a vital new mission: securing domestic food independence so our country never relies on foreign nations for sustenance. I fulfill this duty every day by practicing dedicated soil and water conservation to protect and honor our land while producing organically-grown produce."