As part of the Ag Breakfast at the Illinois State Fair, Anthony (Tony) Pferschy of Garlic Breath Farm in Kane County was awarded the Homegrown by Hero Farmer Veteran of the Year in Illinois.

Nominated by the Farmer Veteran Coalition of Illinois, Tony is the first Illinois farmer veteran to receive this award.

Like many farmer veterans, Tony, who did not grow up farming, found himself farming for the first time in his life after his service. In 2015 Tony and his wife, Sharon, opened Garlic Breath Farm, a USDA Certified Organic Farm that specializes in garlic varieties that contain higher levels of allicin (the chemical responsible for garlic’s anti-cancer benefits). Although Tony and Sharon originally purchased the farm to experiment with crops and find a home for their pet pig, Kevin Bacon, Tony has, over the last 7 years, become a true farmer at heart.

Tony's kindness, humility and passion for farming shines through for anyone that meets him. In Tony's farming, he works to discover innovative and experimental ways to grow garlic and other health-focused crops. You can find Garlic Breath Farm products (and Tony and Sharon) at the Oswego and Batavia Farmers markets or through their website GarlicBreathFarm.com.

Homegrown By Heroes, a label of the Farmer Veteran Coalition, is the official farmer-veteran branding program of America. In Illinois, in partnership with the Illinois Department of Agriculture, the brand gives farmer veterans like Tony an innovative way to show the public that their products represent the labors of a hardworking veteran or service member. The program also provides consumers with a direct and measurable way to “thank a veteran or current soldier for their service” by purchasing their products.

The Illinois Farmer Veterans Coalition of Illinois thanks our Homegrown by Heroes farmers in Illinois and farmers like Tony who have found a place to call home through farming. Congratulations, Tony, and thank you for your service.