Cloth of the Nation

Ep 11 | The Next Mission: Advocacy After Service

Founded in 2004, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) was established to advocate for the post-9/11 generation of veterans. Since its founding, IAVA has worked to elevate the voices and experiences of veterans, while advancing for policies and programs that support veterans and their families. Today, IAVA focuses its efforts on research, education, and direct advocacy to identify policy gaps, inform the public, and drive meaningful change on behalf of all veterans and the country they served. Our guests include: Kyleanne Hunter Chief Executive Officer A native of the Bay Area, California, Dr. Kyleanne Hunter is CEO of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, and a dedicated and lifelong servant leader. In this role, she is responsible for strategic direction of IAVA, ensuring that the post-9/11 generation of veterans continues to have a voice in the most pressing issues of our day. A Marine Corps veteran of the wars in both Iraq and Afghanistan, she has been dedicated to inspiring all veterans to ascend to their potential and ensuring that the policies and practices are there to allow them to do so. Jerritt Lynn Director, Membership A U.S. Army veteran with over 20 years of service, including 14 years in Special Operations and nine overseas deployments across the Middle East, Central Asia, and the Indo-Pacific, Jerritt Lynn joined the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America team in July of 2025. As the Director of Membership Services, Jerritt serves the organizational mission by leading the Membership team with building, recruiting, and training the IAVA Cavalry. Jerritt believes that those of us who have served in conflict regions, particularly during the Global War on Terrorism, have unique experiences and an obligation to advocate for policies that address the challenges affecting both veteran and civilian communities. By shaping public policy, we can improve the lives of veterans and ensure their sacrifices are honored.

Ep 10| From Soldier to Farmer: How Military Discipline Built a Purpose‑Driven Farm

My military service also played an important role in shaping the farmer I’ve become. I spent my early career as an infantryman and later as an Explosive Ordnance Disposal technician, serving both on Active Duty and in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard. Those years taught me discipline, resilience, problem‑solving, and the ability to stay calm under pressure — all skills that translate directly into farming. Agriculture demands patience, adaptability, and a willingness to tackle challenges head‑on, often with limited resources. Those are the same qualities the military instilled in me.  But beyond the skills, my service gave me a strong sense of purpose and a desire to continue contributing to my community. After retiring as a 100% disabled veteran, I knew I needed a mission that aligned with my abilities while still allowing me to serve others. Farming became that mission. It gives me a way to stay active, work with my hands, and build something meaningful — not just for myself, but for the people around me. Spruce Hill Acres is now more than a farm. It’s a place where education, service, and community come together. We host students, support local FFA programs, and create opportunities for young people to learn skills they may never encounter elsewhere. We also stay committed to supporting the veteran community, offering a welcoming space where fellow veterans can connect with agriculture, find purpose, or simply enjoy the quiet of the land.  In many ways, agriculture has become a bridge between my past and my future. My military service taught me to serve, to lead, and to persevere. My daughter, Maggie, taught me to see the beauty and potential in agriculture. And together, those experiences led my family to build a farm that reflects who we are: a family committed to learning, teaching, and giving back

Ep 09 | From Public Service to Farm Life with an Army Veteran

Nicole Kondrlik is an Army veteran and farmer from northwestern Pennsylvania. She raises livestock with her family and is part of the daily work of running a small farm. She previously worked as a public service attorney before transitioning to focus on agriculture and rural life.  www.nicolesloane.com [http://www.nicolesloane.com/]

Ep 08 | What It’s Really Like to Be an Army Physician

My name is Rodney Coldrew and I retired from the Army after 30 years as a physician. I am an OIF veteran and served globally, including Korea, Kenya, Thailand, and Germany. I currently operate a conservation farm in western PA, with my wife and sons, and work as a volunteer Humane Society Police Officer.

Ep 07 | Real Talk: Veteran Farmers & Mental Health (ft. PA Secretary of Ag)

Russell Redding was unanimously confirmed by the Pennsylvania Senate to serve as Pennsylvania's 27th Secretary of Agriculture on May 10, 2023. Governor Josh Shapiro nominated Redding to continue serving as secretary, after he served from 2015 – 2022 under Governor Tom Wolf. He is the former dean of the School of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences at Delaware Valley University. Redding has extensive experience as a public servant, having spent more than 30 years serving Pennsylvania in Harrisburg and Washington D.C. He worked on Capitol Hill as Ag Policy Advisor to U.S. Senator Harris Wofford and served for nearly 25 years in the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, serving as secretary from 2009-2011 under Governor Ed Rendell, and from 2015-2022 under Governor Tom Wolf. He also served on the Agriculture subcommittee of the USDA’s Equity Commission. He earned his B.S. in Agriculture Education and M.S. in Agriculture and Extension Education from Penn State University. In addition, he is a graduate of the Agribusiness Executive program. A native of Pennsylvania, Redding has an innate understanding of food and agriculture, stemming from his youth on his family’s dairy farm and his time as a dairy farm operator. He and his wife Nina have two adult sons and own and operate a farm in Gettysburg. Mental Wellness Resources for the Agriculture Community | Commonwealth of Pennsylvania [https://www.pa.gov/agencies/pda/about-pda/mental-wellness-resources-for-the-agriculture-community] The Agristess Hotline - 833 897 2474