JON TURNER
Farmer and Advocate | Bristol, Vermont
Jon Turner served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 2003 to 2007 as an infantryman, completing three combat deployments with two tours in Iraq and one in Haiti. After leaving active-duty service, Turner faced the challenge of reintegrating into civilian life and sought new ways to find purpose and healing after his military service.
In 2014, he founded Wild Roots Community Farm in Bristol, Vermont, transforming 10 acres into a diversified, regenerative farm raising pigs, goats, chickens, vegetables and tree crops. Turner uses farming as a therapeutic and mission-driven practice, describing gardening and land stewardship as a “spiritual practice” that helps veterans and others navigate trauma. The farm also serves as a living classroom for K-12 students, college interns and veterans, promoting sustainable agriculture, food systems education and community engagement.
Turner is a former chair and founding member of the Vermont state chapter of the Farmer Veteran Coalition and serves on the board of Vermont Vets Town Halls, organizing community storytelling events that support veteran mental health and reintegration. He has received recognition for his work through initiatives such as the National Farm to School Innovations Grant and Sierra Club Military Outings, reflecting his commitment to connecting service and community.
Today, Turner balances farming, advocacy and community leadership, demonstrating how the discipline and resilience developed in the Marines can be directed toward healing, stewardship and meaningful civilian purpose.
David weeks
Vermont State Senator | Proctor, Vermont
David Weeks was born in 1960 at the U.S. Submarine Base in Gales Ferry, Connecticut, the youngest of five children to Geraldine Backensto and Robert Weeks, a U.S. Navy captain and former Vermont state legislator. Raised in Vermont, he graduated from Mill River Union High School before earning a bachelor’s degree in computer science from the University of Vermont.
As an enlisted infantryman in the Marine Corps, he specialized in arctic operations. In 1985, he chose to become a commissioned officer in the Navy, where he served for more than three decades in both active duty and reserve roles, eventually retiring as a captain. His military career included deployments across the Far East and the Middle East, including combat service in Iraq.
In 1997, Weeks transitioned to the private sector, taking on senior roles in the technology and defense industries. He led complex international programs for major aerospace contractors and NATO, overseeing operations, engineering, manufacturing, and project management on multi-billion-dollar initiatives. His drive for continued learning led him to complete an MBA in project management from the University of San Diego, a Master of Public Administration from Villanova University, and a Master of Strategic Studies from the United States Army War College.
Inspired by a long-held passion for public service, in 2022 Weeks campaigned for and was elected to the Vermont State Senate. Representing Rutland County, he serves as vice chair of the Senate Education Committee and sits on the Senate Committee on Economic Development, Housing and General Affairs, among others. His legislative priorities include infrastructure investment, workforce development, broadband expansion, and strengthening Vermont’s economy through practical, community-focused solutions.
Weeks lives in Proctor, Vermont, with his wife, Dr. Leeanne Wootten, a superintendent at an international school. Deeply committed to civic life, he has volunteered with the Boy Scouts of America, the Eagle Scout Alumni Association, and local youth sports programs, in addition to community service projects like trail maintenance.
Through his blend of military leadership, business expertise, and public service, David Weeks has built a life centered on purpose, accountability, and community. His work in the Vermont State Senate continues a lifetime of service, one rooted in the belief that leadership means listening, and progress is achieved through steady, collective effort.