Jesse W

Counties of interest

Anaconda-Deer Lodge, Beaverhead, Big Horn, Blaine, Broadwater, Butte-Silver Bow, Carbon, Carter, Cascade, Chouteau, Custer, Daniels, Dawson, Fallon, Fergus, Flathead, Gallatin, Garfield, Glacier, Golden Valley, Granite, Hill, Jefferson, Judith Basin, Lake, Lewis & Clark, Liberty, Lincoln, Madison, McCone, Meagher, Mineral, Missoula, Musselshell, Park Livingston, Petroleum, Phillips, Pondera, Powder River, Powell, Prairie, Ravalli, Richland, Roosevelt, Rosebud, Sanders, Sheridan, Stillwater, Sweet Grass, Teton, Toole, Treasure, Valley, Wheatland, Wibaux, Yellowstone

Planned Operation

Hay & Forage, Grain, Large Animal (cattle, sheep, goats), Small Animal (pigs, rabbits, poultry), Dairy, Vegetable

Check all experience and education that apply to you and your farming partners

Farm/Crop management (3 years or less), General college degree, General farming (over 3 years), Other experience/license/agriculture or business training

Other experience/license/agriculture or business training:

Marketing, Business Operations, Sustainability, Agroforestry, and Regenerative Agriculture

Land Tenure

Buy/Sell, Lease, Partnership, Open to other arrangements

Briefly describe your current occupation(s) and responsibilities and list previous agricultural employment and experiences. If you are currently farming or ranching, please state the size, type(s), and location of the operation.

Jordan has run her own marketing and business consulting company, has been the COO of an Austin-based tech start-up, and worked in the financial advisory world. Her educational background is in geography and sustainability, but her love for agriculture drives her to create a magical experience at the future Artio Farms.

From the age of 13, until he graduated high school and joined the army, Jesse was working on a Connecticut dairy operation using primarily regenerative practices. After 7 years in Alaska and 3 deployments in the Army, Jesse worked in solar power and carpentry. His experience with agriculture and his ability to build basically anything makes him the perfect complement to Jordan's business background. He's passionate about regenerative agriculture and has jokingly been called "Dr. Doolittle" by people who have seen him interacting with agitated livestock.

Together, they've traveled across the United States, farm-sitting for a cattle farm in North Carolina, an Icelandic sheep farm and dairy operation in Vermont, and an alpaca farm in Connecticut. They're both constantly reading Joel Salatin or Mark Shepard, and are finally ready to put down some roots.

Acreage

41-100, 101-500, 500+

Farming Practices

Organic, Other

Please elaborate on the type(s) of agricultural operation you plan on running.

We're open to starting small, but we're going to list our big dreams here. Our primary goal is to provide our local community with delicious, local, and healthy food. Our big vision is an eco-tourism destination where people come from all over to witness regenerative agriculture in action. Farm-to-Table meals, a farm store, events, glamping tents, and cabins will be available to visitors looking for an authentic farm experience without having to get dirty (unless they want to jump in for a workshop!). Our biggest inspiration is Wolfe's Neck in Maine, with a side of Polyface in Virginia and New Forest Farm in Wisconsin.

We plan to prioritize heritage breed pigs, beef, chickens, A2A2 Jerseys, and vegetables.

Elaborate on the farming practices you plan on using.

Agroforestry as guided by the principals of Mark Shepard at New Forest Farm, along with Joel Salatin and his commitment to feeding local communities in a regenerative way.

If you are interested in another type of business arrangement, please explain

We'd love to partner with farmers retiring in the next 1-10 years who want to transition their existing business over to newer farmers or property owners who are open to a lease-to-own agreement or long-term lease. Our biggest priority is the ability to build something that contributes to the local community, takes care of the planet, and also happens to be profitable.