Kara Rutter is a farmer, researcher, and agritourism practitioner pursuing a PhD at Clemson University, where her work focuses on community-based food systems, agritourism entrepreneurship, and veteran farmer support. She is the founder of Farms of the Brave and leads the Agritourism Incubator Program, which blends research, technical assistance, and place-based education to strengthen rural resilience. Alongside her academic work, Kara operates Rutter’s Ranch, a diversified heritage livestock farm specializing in Mangalitsa pork and traditional charcuterie. Her work bridges scholarship and practice, grounding theory in lived agricultural experience and service-driven impact.

Mike opened the Wilmington, NC office of Stifel in June of 2011. He currently serves as First Vice President and Resident Manager. Mike is a 40-year veteran in the securities industry and 30-year resident of Wilmington. Mike has been the President and Chairman of the Board of the North Carolina Masonic Foundation for the past 5 years, serving on the board for 7 years. The North Carolina Masonic Foundation is the charitable arm of Masonry supporting both the oldest children’s home (Masonic Home for Children at Oxford) and Whitestone in Greensboro the oldest retirement home in North Carolina. Mike served in the Army from 1971-1974 and graduated with honors from UNC Charlotte in 1977.

As a seventh-generation Texan, Leah Fenley Adrian is passionate about all things Texas. Originally from East Texas, she has called Central Texas home for almost 20 years. Leah was a paratrooper and cook in the US Army, including four years as a chef for the Secretary of Defense at the Pentagon. Since then, Leah has earned degrees in History (BA), Organizational Leadership and Ethics (MSc), and Leadership in Higher Education (EdD). She has worked in several industries throughout her career and currently works for the City of Austin. Since living in the hill country, she has focused on learning more about native plants and sharing her love of native landscaping. She completed the Native Landscape Certification Program through NPSOT in 2022. Other hobbies include vegetable gardening, scuba diving, volunteering, thrifting, and ripping invasive plants out of her yard (it is stress relieving). Leah lives in San Marcos with her husband, eight-year-old daughter, and too many dogs. She also adores spending time with her college kiddo in Austin.

Sunnydale Hyde is a U.S. military Veteran with 21 years of service who brings a deep commitment to service, leadership, and community impact to the Project Victory Gardens Board. Following his military career, Sunnydale transitioned into the performing arts, earning recognition for his versatile and compelling work on stage. A true polymath, he is also an accomplished musician, singer, linguist, and professional skydiver. His cinematic debut in Blackout marked an exciting expansion of his creative career. Sunnydale’s unique blend of discipline, artistry, and lived experience informs his dedication to supporting veterans through purpose-driven, creative, and regenerative work.

Zack was in the Army National Guard. After his service, he went to Clemson University to study Plant and Environmental Sciences. While at Clemson he focused on learning techniques to increase the viability of small-scale food production systems. He believes the key component of any small-scale production system is a hard-working farmer. Retired veterans make some of the best hardworking farmers. Zack's goal is to help veterans learn how to be farmers and sow as much life as possible in all its many forms. This mission brought him to Project Victory Gardens, where one becomes many. Please feel free to contact him at ourfoodfreedom@gmail.com with any food production questions.