Veterans' Crops Poisoned While Away Helping Wounded Warriors
LIGONIER – State Police in Westmoreland County are trying to figure out who destroyed part of a local couple's farm.
Authorities say someone poured a powerful pesticide on a 250-square-foot plot on the Jamboree Farm on Wilpen Road in Ligonier.
Todd Fasnacht and his wife Beth Roxby own the farm. Both are Army veterans who served overseas. They opened their organic farm about two years ago and they sell produce, eggs, poultry and meat.
Veterans of the war in Iraq and Afghanistan, Fasnacht and Roxby decided to start the farm to raise natural agricultural products, but the green acres serve a higher purpose.
"As veterans, we want to help out other veterans and give them an opportunity to come out work in the garden, vent," says Fasnacht.
"The theory is that working in the dirt and working on something where you can see the results of your work is very fulfilling and very calming," Roxby added.
The vandalism happened at some point over Memorial Day weekend while the couple was out of town helping wounded warriors learn how to rock climb.
When they went outside to tend to their garden on Monday, they noticed some areas looked scorched and the plants were yellow. None of the animals on the farm were harmed.
"The next day, we kind of noticed our garden looked different," said Fasnacht. "They poisoned the plants and the soil and stuff."
"Squashes, pumpkins, cucumbers, the vining-type plants," said Roxby. "We've been very fortunate; so far, we haven't seen any negative effects on the livestock."
The couple was shocked that someone would throw a chemical on their organically-grown plants, but say they are re-planting.
They are thankful it is still early in the growing season, and that the plants will still have time to mature.
The couple does not think the incident was part of an anti-military movement; instead, they think it may have been the work of some people in the community who are opposed to farms in the area.
State Police are still investigating, and the community is trying to help them get back on their feet.
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