From Service to Soil: Honoring Farmer and Staff Member, Veteran Tim Curry
December 5, 2025
By Bridget Micieli-Martinez
For Tim Curry, the rows of crops at the Agricultural Center at Charnews Farm in Southold are more than just fields — they’re a reflection of resilience, purpose, and hope.
A U.S. Army veteran who served in Afghanistan, Tim joined the Peconic Land Trust’s Farms for the Future Initiative in 2020 and, over the past year, also became part of the Trust’s Agricultural Programs staff. His plot at the Ag Center is easily recognized by the American flag proudly waving at its edge. “The flag is a reminder of why I’m out here,” Tim says. “It keeps me grounded.”
When Tim returned home from Afghanistan, the transition to civilian life was difficult. He missed the camaraderie of his fellow infantrymen and felt their absence deeply. Seeking connection, he turned to the Northport VA Medical Center, where he found both support and a renewed sense of purpose.
Farming soon became an important part of that purpose. His journey into agriculture began while recovering at the VA, when he started growing radishes. “I’d give them away, and people were so happy — just over a simple radish,” he recalls. “That feeling stuck with me.”
For Tim, farming isn’t just about cultivating food — it’s about cultivating community. His hope is to bring more veterans into agriculture, offering them the same sense of peace, teamwork, and purpose that farming has given him. Today, he works alongside the very staff who once guided him when he was new to farming — a full-circle moment that reflects both his growth and his generosity of spirit.
Tim’s story reminds us that service takes many forms — whether it’s on the battlefield, behind the wheel helping a fellow vet, or tending to the soil that sustains us all.
Bridget Micieli-Martinez
Senior Marketing and Events Manager
bmartinez@peconiclandtrust.org