October 2019 Veteran of the Month: Jason Leabo
From left: Attorney General Ashley Moody, Governor Ron DeSantis, FDACS Veteran of the Month for October 2019 Jason Leabo and his family, Commissioner Nikki Fried, and Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis
Military Service
Security Forces Specialist in the U.S. Air Force for 11 years. Jason left as an Air Force Staff Sergeant (E-5) in 2010. In 2010, he joined and still serves in the U.S. Army Reserve with the occupation of Senior Mechanic and the rank of Army Staff Sergeant (E-6).
Agriculture Service
Established Southern Grace Lavender Farm, Florida’s first lavender farm in Southport, Florida.
Biography
Jason Leabo is an Air Force combat veteran and veteran farmer who lives in Southport, Florida. He served in the Air Force for 11 years as a Security Forces Specialist providing security to aircraft, guarding dignitaries, and providing security during combat missions, intelligence operations and bomb disposal activities. His duties took him to Iraq, Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Guam. After being honorably discharged from the Air Force, Jason settled in the Florida Panhandle and joined the Army Reserve as a Senior Mechanic. Additionally, he works full time as an Army Reserve civilian out of the Army Reserve Center in Panama City as an administrator providing training, administration and supply services to Army reservists.
In 2018, Jason established Southern Grace Lavender Farm, Florida’s first lavender farm, in Southport. With his 3.31-acre farm, he has planted 1,240 lavender plants. His farm also produces and sells lavender-based products, including scented candles, bar soap, and lavender-infused jam and honey. Jason is passionate about establishing lavender as a major cash crop for Florida. He promotes this vision for Florida lavender by hosting educational tours of his farm for various groups and speaking at agriculture events about lavender’s potential in growing the Florida agriculture industry. Jason is a proud member of the Farmer Veterans Coalition, United States Lavender Growers Association, Florida Agritourism Association, and the Florida Farm Bureau.
