By Katy Savage
SHAFTSBURY—A wave from a stranger kept Brad Peacock alive another day. Organic vegetable farming saved his life.
At age 19, Peacock was at the lowest point of his life.
He had just been discharged from the military after confiding to a base psychologist that he was gay— a secret not even his family or closest friends knew.
“I came back to my small town and I was so ashamed,” Peacock said. “I couldn’t tell the truth. I didn’t want to be out.”
Peacock struggled with suicide. It was at the height of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” the military policy that prohibited speaking about sexual orientation. The policy was abandoned in 2011.
“When you’re at rock bottom, it’s extreme small acts of kindness that can save someone’s life,” Peacock said.
Peacock found solace in farming. Now, 20 years later, Peacock is the greenhouse and field manager for an organic vegetable farm called Clear Brook Farm in Shaftsbury.
Peacock, 38, is running as an independent for U.S. senator against incumbent Bernie Sanders. Peacock launched the campaign at the time of nationwide uncertainty over human rights under Donald Trump’s presidency. Peacock made the decision to run in 2017, when Trump ordered the reinstitution of the military ban on transgender people.
“That did it for me,” Peacock said. “I know what it’s like to be discriminated against and what a tragedy that really is.”
Peacock has raised about $5,000 for his campaign.
“I’m attempting to raise the least amount of money and still win,” said Peacock.
Peacock’s mother and his husband, James Crews, are helping Peacock distribute fliers and knock on doors.
“I want to get back to basics,” Peacock said. “What I see is a two-party system run amok.”
Peacock and his family know his chances of winning are a long shot.
“The power of the incumbency right now is pretty significant,” Peacock’s mother, Ann, said.
“ I think that when people hear about him, they really like what they hear. He and people like him are our future.”
Peacock studied history and sociology at the University of Vermont. He’s thought of campaigning for at least 10 years.
Peacock grew up in a modest household. Peacock’s mother dropped out of high school after she got pregnant at age 16. She went back to school and got her GED. She then earned an associate degree in liberal studies from the Community College of Vermont.
Sometimes Peacock and his mother studied for classes together.
“He’s always been fascinated with government and the inner workings of the law,” Ann said.
Ann remembers her son’s struggle with being gay.
“It was a difficult time for everyone to figure out what was going on and try to understand,” Ann said
Peacock joined the Air Force and swore to give himself for his country, following in his father’s and grandfather’s footsteps. Most of Peacock’s male relatives have served in the military.
“My dad had been a big role model in his life,” said Ann Peacok. She was fearful for her son’s safety when he returned from the service.
“I felt bad as a mother that I had not asked more questions,” she said.
Peacock was met with kindness and acceptance from the people on the farm when he started working there about 13 years ago. He said working with his hands in the soil helped him through his hard times.
“Farming is regenerative unto itself,” Peacock said. “It’s healing to be able to grow something and feed people.”
Becca Knouss has worked with Peacock on the farm for 11 years.
“He’s a very passionate person,” said Knouss. “He’s always had a bend toward politics. When he told me he was going to run, it wasn’t too surprising.”
Campaigning has been a challenge for Peacock.
Most mainstream media in Vermont have excluded independent candidates from participating in debates. Peacock is talking to as many people as he can around his work schedule.
“We’ve had to be loud and fight for people to stand up and take notice,” said Peacock’s husband, Crews.
Crews, an English teacher and professor, has been helping Peacock’s campaign.
“We talked about him wanting to do this for a long time,” Crews said.
Peacock, who is otherwise a quiet farmer, wants his campaign to help other people who may be struggling with identity. “People appreciate Brad being open and honest about what happened to him,” said Crews, who encouraged Peacock to share his story.
Peacock is campaigning until the general election Nov. 6. It may not work out, but if it doesn’t, Peacock is content where he is, with his hands in the soil.
“I’m extremely happy farming,” Peacock said.
Photo submitted
Brad Peacock of Clear Brook Farm in Shaftsbury is running as an independent for U.S. Senator against Sen. Bernie Sanders.
