Meet The Team
Heroic Food Board Members
Jennifer Soukup
Board Member
Having served in the U.S. Army Reserve, Jennifer is a Veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom (2005). Following her deployment, Jennifer enrolled at Paul Smiths College in upstate New York and graduated with a degree in Culinary Arts and Service Management in 2010. In 2013, she began to grow her in-laws maple syrup production business and began marketing a myriad of maple products. By 2017, the business had grown the farm to include pumpkin patches, hay mazes, pre-cut Christmas trees, and agri-tourism events.
Lisa Baker
Chief Operating Officer
Lisa Baker is a dedicated advocate for sustainable agriculture and veteran reintegration, bringing passion and leadership to Heroic Food. With a deep commitment to supporting veterans in their transition to careers in farming, Born and raised in Dutchess County, NY, she
studied Geology at Vassar College and earned a master’s degree in Environmental Education from SUNY New Paltz. For 15 years, she produced USDA-certified organic meats and eggs while raising her daughters on the family farm. Today, Lisa continues to raise livestock, primarily
for 4-H and FFA. With a teaching background spanning public school, Montessori education, nonprofits, and Marist University, Lisa’s passion has always been Agricultural Education, leading
to a role as the Animal and Plant Sciences instructor at Ulster BOCES. Since 2014, Lisa has been deeply committed to supporting veterans through Heroic Food,
inspired by the service of her uncles and grandfathers. Lisa works tirelessly to provide hands-on training, mentorship, and resources that empower them to succeed. Her background in organic
farming and education has equipped her with the skills to drive Heroic Food’s mission forward, fostering a strong community of veteran farmers. Under her guidance, Heroic Food continues to
grow as a vital force in regenerative agriculture and veteran support.
Justin Riccobono
Board Member
Justin Riccobono is a U.S. Army Veteran, visionary farmer, and dedicated leader in the Hudson Valley’s agricultural renaissance. Following his service at Ground Zero in the aftermath of 9/11, Justin left New York City in 2007 to return to his roots and rebuild a life centered on purpose, healing, and sustainability.
With a passion for the land and a mission to serve others, Justin pioneered the resurgence of hop farming in the Hudson Valley. Since 2012, he has designed, built, and helped process over 20 hop farms throughout the region—revitalizing local agriculture and creating new opportunities for farmers and entrepreneurs alike.
Justin and his family own and operate a 5-acre homestead farm and Texas-style BBQ in Gardiner, NY, which proudly serves as a host site for Heroic Food. This farmstead is more than just a farm—it’s a sanctuary for veterans and community members seeking hands-on education, wellness, and empowerment through regenerative farming practices.
Through his leadership, Justin continues to forge pathways for veterans transitioning into civilian life, using sustainable agriculture as a tool for healing, reintegration, and community building. His work is transforming lives and landscapes across the Hudson Valley.
Cameron Pedigo
Board Member
The 2025 Heroic Food Team
Justin Riccobono
Veteran Coordinator
Justin Riccobono is a U.S. Army Veteran, visionary farmer, and dedicated leader in the Hudson Valley’s agricultural renaissance. Following his service at Ground Zero in the aftermath of 9/11, Justin left New York City in 2007 to return to his roots and rebuild a life centered on purpose, healing, and sustainability.
With a passion for the land and a mission to serve others, Justin pioneered the resurgence of hop farming in the Hudson Valley. Since 2012, he has designed, built, and helped process over 20 hop farms throughout the region—revitalizing local agriculture and creating new opportunities for farmers and entrepreneurs alike.
Justin and his family own and operate a 5-acre homestead farm and Texas-style BBQ in Gardiner, NY, which proudly serves as a host site for Heroic Food. This farmstead is more than just a farm—it’s a sanctuary for veterans and community members seeking hands-on education, wellness, and empowerment through regenerative farming practices.
Through his leadership, Justin continues to forge pathways for veterans transitioning into civilian life, using sustainable agriculture as a tool for healing, reintegration, and community building. His work is transforming lives and landscapes across the Hudson Valley.
Patrick Joyner
2025 Veteran Farmer
Patrick is a 54 year old veteran who served on active duty in the Marine Corps from 1990-1994. He was an anti-tank assaultman during combat in the first Gulf War, and later an instructor for combat and infantry skills, training several thousand Marines.
Within months of combat operations, Patrick was experiencing neurological symptoms that progressed very slowly for a few years after leaving the Marine Corps. He did well in the private sector with various leadership roles in various industries, all while keeping his health issues at bay as long as possible. In the late 90’s: health issues came on in a few weeks. The VA had him diagnosed with ALS and placed him in hospice care, which lasted a bit over two years. After thousands of doses of VA prescriptions for fentanyl, morphine, oxycontin, and more, Patrick decided to take a different path.
Patrick quit all of the prescriptions, left the VA healthcare system, and began searching for how to die with dignity and a clear head. To everyone’s surprise, Patrick started to heal. He eventually became a self-sustaining organic farmer in the Andes mountains, living for years-long periods as a hermit, focused on healing in every way possible. He found ways to work within his physical challenges to build his house and farm from the ground up, getting stronger all the while.
After over 20 years, Patrick came back to the United States in June of 2023, and settled in the Shawangunk region. He returned to reintegrate, to continue healing and learning, and to actively collaborate with researchers and communities with anything he is able to contribute.
Jaime Burgos
2025 Veteran Farmer
Jaime is a 38 year old Army veteran born in Texas of Puerto Rican descent. Raised as an Army Brat who traveled around the world with his parents and eventually settling in Tarrytown, NY. Jaime joined the army in search of a purpose. Deployed to Iraq from 2010-2011 as a Gunner and again deployed to Afghanistan in 2017 in a Leadership roll. After transitioning out of the Army in 2022, Jaime felt disoriented with the loss of structure that kept him grounded all those years. Diagnosed with PTSD, TBI, anxiety and depression, navigating through civilian life was difficult and things started in a downward spiral. After family stresses overcame Jaime during the 2024 holiday season, Jaime became homeless living on the streets and falling into a deep depression. In March of 2025. After being discovered on the streets by one of his fellow service members, he was connected with veteran family services, who in turn was able to connect him with the Heroic Food immersive reintegration program. Jaime has dreams of owning his own farm, raising animals, working the land and living a life full of peace and purpose. He has already come a long way and is only getting started.