Soldiering 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.

Jordan Green, owner and operator of J & L Green Farm with his wife, Laura, in Edinburg, Virginia, encompasses all of the qualities that come from having a strong work ethic. Born in upstate New York, Jordan spent his childhood on a 1,000 acre private lake preserve, developing a love for animals and the outdoors. He worked summers on his family’s farm and in the gardens. As a teenager, he worked on his parents’ Virginia homestead managing dairy goats and poultry, and worked alongside his father with their landscaping business.

His passion for agriculture lead him to attend Joel Salatin’s Polyface Farm in Swoope, Virginia as an apprentice for a year, later on coaching aspiring farmers in setting up their own sustainable operations. “We put our time in at farmers markets in the beginning stages,” shares Laura. “We now have a stronger demand for our products and have been able to work through our customers on a straightsourced basis.” Jordan adds, “Sustainability is really about minimizing risk. Being able to pivot alongside the market and consumer demand, instead of financially being held steadfast in a structure with one purpose or product, has helped us greatly.”

Jordan’s worldly view and work ethic is partially because of his military history. As a member of the United States Marine Corps, he traveled around the world from 2004 to 2009. “Being put in a highpressure environment, you really have to learn to push through certain situations. Many have learned that when you are tired, you still have about 40 percent left to give. Keep going, keep looking for ways to achieve.”

One of Jordan’s most memorable military experiences was being stationed atop the U.S.S. Harry S. Truman for a month. The aircraft carrier proved to be an awesome encounter for him, but also a lesson in ultimate structure. “On the flight deck, there are a lot of moving pieces, and if you aren’t careful, it could be life altering. Much of our time was tightly choreographed.” The aircraft carrier was one of the last assignments of his active military status, and he fondly remembers planning his future on the giant vessel.

“I remember planning out certain aspects of the farm on the Truman,” shares Jordan. “It was a surreal experience that I will never forget.” Upon leaving active military service in 2009, he and Laura started their own 200 acre sustainable farm. On the farm’s website, their goal is prominently posted, “… to raise animals ethically, entirely on pasture, and in harmony with nature.” The farm currently offers products stemmed from pasture-raised poultry (chicken and turkey), and forestraised pork, along with grass-fed and grass-finished beef. The family joins forces with local farms sharing the same philosophy in providing farm-fresh eggs, cheeses, soaps, and raw pet food, among other products.

“Laura is the mind behind our marketing, sales, and customer service,” says Jordan. Laura, a native of central Texas, grew up on her parents’ farm distributing honey. She enjoys building a community around healthy eating and how to best utilize their farm products. Jordan and Laura are also parents to three children, Justin, Allie, and Wyatt. Laura explains, “The kids are currently active in the business whenever they can be, doing chores and helping where needed.”

One of the couple’s prevailing products is their pork. “Our herd is a closed-herd, and it’s been that way for over seven years,” explains Jordan. “We breed our own pigs and raise them to harvesting size.” Jordan feels another aspect to being sustainable is to develop a need for genetics. “Our pigs are selected (genetically) for traits of adaptation to growing and foraging in the forest, and strong mothering instinct,” says Jordan. Their genetics are in demand among fellow sustainable farmers, and they are noted to have one of the largest outdoor pasturebased farrow-to-finish farms in Virginia.

The family is very transparent about the daily routine. Extending education to consumers by opening up their farm for tours, while promoting environmentallyfriendly products is important to them in so many ways. After all, preserving for the future is a steadfast mindset, farmer or military.

COMPARABLY TO JORDAN’S MILITARY LIFESTYLE, WORKING WITH A CAREFULLY- CHOREOGRAPHED 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.