Community Corner
From F-16s to Farm Fields: How One Air Force Veteran Fights Food Insecurity In NOVA
Jessica Zielinski-Meffert traded Air Force avionics for agriculture. Today, she helps cultivate both crops and community in Northern VA.
Whether it’s serving as a military officer or stepping up as a first responder, it takes a rare combination of dedication, resilience and heart to take on these roles. And for many of these individuals, that same drive carries over into life beyond the badge.
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After serving in the U.S. Air Force maintaining F-16 avionics systems, Jessica Zielinski-Meffert felt called to protect the environment on the home front. Inspired by her volunteer work with an Air Force Pollution Prevention Office, she earned a degree in Sustainability Studies and began her journey toward full-time environmental service.
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Zielinski-Meffert dove right into her career during her time at the University of New Haven. She interned with the EPA, apprenticed and worked for several Connecticut farms and even spent two years with the Bridgeport Health Department. In 2019, she began her role as Nutriments Manager at Arcadia Center for Sustainable Food and Agriculture, a nonprofit that operates on historic farmland near Mount Vernon.
As a graduate of Arcadia’s Veteran Farmer Program and Farm Fellowship, Zielinski-Meffert supports food justice initiatives and helped establish a native wildflower meadow on-site. Her efforts merge environmental stewardship with sustainable farming and community impact.
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As reported by Alexandria Living Magazine, Arcadia trains veterans to become farmers, supports food access in underserved communities, and provides market connections for growers. Through her work, Zielinski-Meffert embodies Arcadia’s mission to build a more equitable local food system—especially for those most in need.
Want to learn more? Visit Arcadia Center for Sustainable Food and Agriculture’s website or read the full article about Arcadia’s Veteran Farmer Program in Alexandria Living.
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