farm and land
S
IE OLD
RING THROUGH
A
sustainable tactic
STORY AND PHOTOS BY ANDREA HAINES | AGRICULTURAL PRODUCERS TYPICALLY HAVE A POSITIVE MARQUE
SURROUNDING WORK ETHIC. WORKING FROM SUN-UP TO SUN-DOWN, THAT TOUGH-MADE GRIT AND NEVER-ENDING ENERGY HAVE PROVEN TRADEMARK QUALITIES. FEW CAREERS HOLD A CANDLE TO THIS LIFESTYLE’S AMBITION; ONE OF WHICH STANDS OUT IS THE MILITARY.
Swoope, Virginia as an apprentice for a
As a member of the United States Marine
of J & L Green Farm with his wife, Laura, in
year, later on coaching aspiring farmers
Corps, he traveled around the world
Edinburg, Virginia, encompasses all
in setting up their own sustainable
from 2004 to 2009. “Being put in a high-
of the qualities that come from having
operations. “We put our time in at farmers
pressure environment, you really have to
a strong work ethic. Born in upstate
markets in the beginning stages,” shares
learn to push through certain situations.
New York, Jordan spent his childhood
Laura. “We now have a stronger demand
Many have learned that when you are
on a 1,000 acre private lake preserve,
for our products and have been able to
tired, you still have about 40 percent left
developing a love for animals and
work through our customers on a straight-
to give. Keep going, keep looking for
the outdoors. He worked summers
sourced basis.” Jordan adds, “Sustainability
ways to achieve.”
on his family’s farm and in the gardens.
is really about minimizing risk. Being able to
As a teenager, he worked on his parents’
pivot alongside the market and consumer
military experiences was being stationed
Virginia homestead managing dairy goats
demand, instead of financially being held
atop the U.S.S. Harry S. Truman for a
and poultry, and worked alongside his
steadfast in a structure with one purpose or
month. The aircraft carrier proved to
father with their landscaping business.
product, has helped us greatly.”
be an awesome encounter for him, but
Jordan Green, owner and operator
His passion for agriculture lead him to attend Joel Salatin’s Polyface Farm in
COMPARABLY TO JORDAN’S MILITARY LIFESTYLE, WORKING WITH A CAREFULLYCHOREOGRAPHED TEAM HAS ALLOWED J & L GREEN FARM TO THRIVE. TEAM MEMBERS LIKE FARM CREDIT LOAN OFFICER JASON MILLER HAVE GIVEN OPPORTUNITY TO JORDAN AND LAURA’S DREAM. “FARM CREDIT HAS ALLOWED US TO HAVE FLEXIBILITY,” COMMENTS JORDAN. “THE ABILITY TO MOVE TO A DIFFERENT LAND BASE OR ADJUST TO CONSUMERS’ NEEDS IS HOW WE ARE GROWING. FARM CREDIT HAS PROVIDED WINDOWS OF OPPORTUNITY FOR US.” VISIT JLGREENFARM.COM TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE OPERATION.
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| VOLUME 24 | ISSUE 3 | mafc.com
Jordan’s worldly view and work ethic is partially because of his military history.
One of Jordan’s most memorable
also a lesson in ultimate structure. “On the flight deck, there are a lot of moving
