Sanctuary on the River: A Veteran’s Mission of Healing and Hope

Customer feature: Brian & Raquel Moore (Goode, Va.)

Brian Moore is a teacher by profession, but also a veteran, minister and farmer. After serving three tours of active duty with the U.S. Army in Iraq and Afghanistan and being medically retired in 2010, Brian and his wife, Raquel, moved to Appomattox, Virginia from New Hampshire and started a small hobby farm. In July 2021, they moved to their current property in Bedford County, which sits along the Big Otter River. With a bit more room and a great property layout, the Moores have expanded their farm and started their very own ministry for veterans and first responders, aptly named, “Sanctuary.”

The Moores have about 60 meat sheep, primarily Katahdins (named for Mount Katahdin in Maine) on their 27-acre property. They found a market for their sheep in the local community of Messianic Jews in the area who were looking for meat lambs around Passover and throughout the year. When they moved to this area, their initial goal was not necessarily to launch a farm business, but rather to focus their time on building out the ministry for veterans and first responders. However, they’ve been able to combine the farm with a campground and access to the river to provide a nice retreat for anyone needing a “sanctuary for the day,” looking to escape reality and spend some time in nature. 

In addition to the sheep, Brian and Raquel also have 13 goats (primarily Nigerian Dwarfs) and a number of geese, chickens and rabbits. The goats help clear the land, but the Moores have also found a small segment of customers who purchase the goats for their meat. They recently acquired three Toggenburg goats and hope to eventually milk those goats and produce high quality soaps and other products from their milk. The overall goal is for the animals to eventually pay for themselves, including feed and upkeep. Visitors to Brian and Raquel’s “Sanctuary” do not have to pay any kind of fee. Since the Moores’ operation is a 501(c)(3), they receive essential support from several veteran organizations, including the Purple Heart Foundation, American Legion, VFW and Vietnam Veterans Association. Without those partnerships, support from wonderful community members and neighbors, and financial backing from Farm Credit, Brian and Raquel wouldn’t be as successful as they are today.

“Without Farm Credit, we wouldn’t be here,” shared Brian. The Moores were fortunate to work with a loan officer who really believed in their vision and advocated for them from the beginning. Farm Credit holds the land loan for the property and provided a short-term loan for digging the well for their new home. Brian and Raquel recommend Farm Credit to anyone starting a venture in agriculture, as they appreciate the expertise and kind staff.

For other veterans looking to get into farming, Brian and Raquel shared the following words of advice, “Do your research. We did it backwards – started with a hobby farm and learned as we went. However, sometimes it is necessary to learn by doing. Visit farms that are doing what you want to do and learn from their mistakes. Create a network of like-minded people who are willing to share their knowledge.”

Brian and Raquel make a great team, both as parents to their four children in their 33 years of marriage and in business. The couple is in the process of building a tiny home on their property with the help of Purple Heart Homes, which recently started a chapter in Lynchburg, Va. The future is exciting for the Moores as they prepare to move in to their new home. 

Additionally, they plan to build a pavilion and chapel on the property named after Brian’s mom, who lives in a nursing home in Appomattox, Va. She has always been a faithful woman and inspired Brian from a young age. The pavilion will be utilized by different groups, whether for family gatherings, church services or veteran events. Additionally, the Moores hope to complete the infrastructure for the farm and campground so they can focus more on facilitating the ministry as they receive more visitors.

This feature story was published in the Summer 2025 Leader Magazine. Access the full magazine (digital version) HERE.