Our mission is to ensure a sustainable, profitable, and thriving farm that unites our community through teaching about regenerative farming practices, honoring the sacrifices of the past, and conserving the environment for future generations. We building Fold of Liberty Farms into a place where the principles of liberty, stewardship, and sustainability converge, offering a model for sustainable living helping the environment while producing the same amount or more human consumable food per acre as a traditional farm.
Behind every great man is an even greater woman.
This statement is true of our founders, Rhonda and Vernon Stout. They have a story that to some may seem unique, but to their family it is what they grew up with, and so it seems normal. Vernon and Rhonda were both born in Provo Utah in the mid 70s. They attended the same elementary and junior high school, sharing classes together. Then Vernon moved to Ankara Turkey when he was 15 due to his father’s service in the United States Air Force. When Vernon returned for his Senior year at Orem High School he pursued Rhonda. They dated, and broke up several times, but eventually knew that they were meant for each other, getting sealed for time and all eternity on October 21, 1993 in the Salt Lake City temple.
While Vernon was living in Turkey he explored Europe and saw the remnants of the ravages of war. He experienced the loss of friends to acts of terrorism. He felt the oppression of tyranny and unjust governments. When he arrived home in Utah, he contrasted his experiences with the lack of understanding of world events of his classmates. Noticing their lack of appreciation for the liberties and the freedoms which we enjoy in the United States, it sparked in Vernon a deep desire to make try and make a difference.
Rhonda grew up in a house of love and harmony. Her family always had animals, and they would frequently go on adventures around the state of Utah. Her whole family piling in a single cab Chevy pickup truck. 4 kids and two dogs taking a drive for several hours to the lake to go fishing. Her father used to be an avid hunter, til one day a deer looked him in the eye, and he lowered his rifle and never went hunting again. This spirit of caring for life and God’s creations was passed on to Rhonda.
Together Rhonda and Vernon built a happy family life. Struggling as most do through the early years with long days, late nights, working multiple jobs while going to school and nurturing children. The seeds of change within them, and starting to flourish as they taught their children. They built a massive garden in their yard and taught their kids to till and plant and preserve.
Vernon had always loved working with his hands, and had restored several vehicles early in their marriage, expressing to Rhonda his desire to own and restore a vintage Dodge Power Wagon. So while he was away on business, Rhonda found him a Power Wagon, and when he returned they bought it. He restored this military version of the Dodge Power Wagon, when upon his maiden voyage with this truck a Korean War veteran ran out of his house and waved Vernon down. Vernon took him for a ride, and this veteran shared stories with Vernon of driving a truck just like that in the Korean War. Soon after he was able to give some kids a ride, and tell them this Korean War veterans stories. It was at this moment that Vernon realized he had a tool to connect history to the present generation.
Vernon continued on this path with the support of Rhonda for many years. Purchasing more trucks, and more historical artifacts. Building a mobile museum, and a following of patriots that would go out and teach history to grade schools and the general public. All the while his family was very involved. Together they taught about God’s hand in preserving the United States to be a place of Liberty, until his collection had reached an almost unmanageable level.
At this same time the business that Vernon had spent 16 years building was sold, and Rhonda and Vernon purchased a piece of farmland, fulfilling a lifelong dream of theirs. As they contemplated together and with their family what to do with their land, they began learning together about farming, and they put the plans into motion to build a museum.
Quickly Vernon learned that there were many methods of farming, and all of them somewhat controversial. Through much research and pondering it was decided that they would build a farm that regenerates the soil, and heals the planet, by building a diverse ecosystem that works harmoniously to provide valuable cash crops. This is called regenerative agriculture. When it came to cows, Rhonda found an interest in the “fluffy” cows. So learning about those they pursued the acquisition of Scottish Highland Cattle.
Although the farm is now owned by a trust to help it endure through the generations, members of the family and friends continue to work to build Fold of Liberty Farms and the Tools of Freedom Museum.