Liepold Pond Farm
"Being a Connecticut Farmer Veteran means serving after serving. A farmer provides for their community, to the best of their ability. Much like when they served their country." — JACQUES DUFRESNE
Jacques Dufresne and Jody Ward started their farm in Pawcatuck, CT on land that’s been rooted in the community for decades. Jody provided history on the property, sharing that it, “... used to serve as an icehouse for ice boxes until electric refrigeration, a place for people to ice skate when the weather was cold enough, and a place for neighborhood kids to go fishing. We are happy to carry on that tradition with our small farm.”
While they share most of the farm tasks together, Jacques oversees seed starting, fertilization, and pest management, and Jody oversees marketing & outreach. They also have an adopted farm dog named Pip, a big help in keeping some of the nuisances away from the garden. Jaques and Jody both volunteer at the Charlestown Animal Shelter, where Jody is one of the directors. Liepold Pond Farm recently did a plant sale to benefit the shelter and had the dogs on site for people to meet and greet.
Jacques, U.S. Army Veteran, served for 6 years working on Apache Helicopters as an Armament and Avionics Specialist and attaining the rank of Sargent. He spent most of his time stationed in Savannah, Georgia with a tour to Afghanistan for OEF and Korea. When asked what it means to be a CT Farmer Veteran, he replied, “It means serving after serving. A farmer provides for their community, to the best of their ability. Much like when they served their country.”
Jody also added that, “[Farming] helps us to better understand how human impacts can change the environment around us. In the 4 seasons we have been farming we have seen a difference in the wildlife and vibrance to the landscape that we tend.”
Liepold Pond Farm grows specialty produce and flowers. They harvest many standard and unique vegetables like eggplants, tomatoes, artichokes, leeks, and fennel. Their flower varieties and availability have been expanding year after year, with a new bed solely dedicated to flowers in 2024.
You can support Liepold Pond Farm by visiting the farm stand at 136 Liberty Street in Pawcatuck, CT and following them on social media.
Read About Other Farmer Veterans
Meet more Farmer Veterans in your community and throughout Connecticut.
