Downland Sponsors Inaugural Veteran BBQ Fest, Connecting Established and Beginning Farmer Veterans
Downland joins Central Texas businesses like H-E-B and Greener Pastures Chicken in supporting Veterans BBQ Fest.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
AUSTIN, TX – November 11, 2025 – Downland, a fintech startup for farm and food business succession planning, is proudly sponsoring the 1st Annual Veteran BBQ Fest & Cookoff hosted by Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4443 on Saturday, November 15, from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at 7614 Thomas Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78736. The free, family-friendly event celebrates Texas BBQ traditions while raising funds to modernize Post 4443 into a community hub for veterans of all generations.
The sponsorship reflects Downland's commitment to supporting farmer veterans—a critical demographic facing the dual challenges of transitioning from military service and accessing farmland. With over 70% of US farms set to change hands in the next two decades, representing more than 1.5 million family farms, Downland's mission to remove land access barriers aligns naturally with efforts to empower veterans seeking careers in agriculture.
"Veterans bring incredible leadership, discipline, and resilience to farming," said Jessi Roesch, CEO and Founder of Downland. "This event embodies the community-building and mutual support that are essential to both military service and sustainable agriculture. We're honored to stand with Post 4443 as they create a modern 'third space' where veterans can connect, heal, and build their futures."
The Veteran BBQ Fest is part of a broader national movement to reimagine VFW posts as vibrant community centers for younger veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, while continuing to serve WWII, Korea, and Vietnam-era veterans. Post 4443 is modernizing its facilities to offer vital connection, recreation, wellness resources, and career support that bridge generational gaps within the veteran community.
"As chairman of the City of Austin's Veterans Commission and as a member of VFW Post 4443, one of the greatest challenges I see and hear about is how to best engage with and build the community of veterans here in Austin," said Michael McInerney. "Events like this are awesome because everybody loves barbecue, especially here in Texas. Meaning that we can have one event that bridges those gaps and brings our entire veteran community together."
The connection between veterans and agriculture runs deep. According to the USDA, veterans are 60% more likely to pursue farming careers than non-veterans, drawn by the opportunity for purpose-driven work, outdoor lifestyle, and entrepreneurship. However, the high cost of farmland—averaging over $3,000 per acre nationally—creates a significant barrier to entry. Downland addresses this challenge through estate and succession planning services that match retiring farmers with skilled practitioners, including veterans from farm training programs and organizations like the Center for Agricultural Resilience.
Regenerative agriculture, which prioritizes soil health through practices like cover cropping and rotational grazing, offers particular promise for farmer veterans. Research from Boston Consulting Group finds that farms adopting regenerative practices are 120% more profitable, largely due to reduced dependency on costly chemical inputs and improved long-term yields. This approach creates sustainable farming businesses that align environmental stewardship with economic viability—a framework that resonates with veterans' mission-oriented values.
The November 15 event will feature BBQ from veteran-owned vendors including Greener Pastures Chicken and The Moody Goat, craft beer and tastings from 12 Fox Beer Co., Swig Cheese Haus, Holdout Brewing, and Texas Cider Keepers, plus live music from veteran musicians with Guitars 4 Vets and Soldier Songs and Voices. Family activities include bounce houses, face-painting, and lawn games, with football playing on a Texas-sized screen inside the main hall.
Additional event supporters include nonprofits Vetterd Farms, Farmer Veteran Coalition, Rural Ag Solutions, and the Dripping Springs Cook Off Club. Competitive barbecuers can enter the Cookoff to win cash prizes in Chicken, Ribs, Brisket, and Chili categories.
Post 4443 and its members recently received recognition including the Farmer Veteran Coalition's Influencer of the Year award to Quartermaster Kris Vandenberg, and a Member Resolution from Texas House Representative Ramon Romero Jr. commemorating their contributions and celebrating the inaugural BBQ Fest.
"Our inaugural Veteran BBQ Fest is an open invite to the community to come and enjoy themselves, celebrate Texas culinary traditions, and show their support for veterans and furthering causes that assist them," said Senior Vice Commander Jake Pendleton of Post 4443.
The event takes place the first Saturday after Veterans Day, during National Veteran and Military Families Month, against the scenic backdrop of the Texas Hill Country. Admission is free and open to the public.
For more information or to register for the Cookoff competition, visit https://www.vfw4443.org/bbq-event. To support Post 4443, donate online at https://venmo.com/u/vfw-post-4443.
About Downland. Downland is dedicated to accelerating the transition to regenerative agriculture by improving land access for young farmers. Through estate and succession planning, Downland empowers families who wish to keep their farm in agriculture even if there's not an heir interested in carrying on the operation by matching with a skilled farmer in search of land.
About VFW Post 4443. Nestled in the heart of Oak Hill on 9.5 scenic acres, VFW Post 4443 is becoming a hub of service, fellowship, and community for veterans of all generations. The 1st Annual Veteran BBQ Fest is a bold step toward transforming the post into a modern center for wellness, purpose, and connection.
Media Contact: hello@godownland.com
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