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Julie has been with OEFFA for more than 12 years and spends a lot of her workdays in spreadsheets, which she enjoys because she appreciates details and loves it when the math turns out right. She works from home, which is situated at the very beginning of the Appalachian foothills.

That’s also where she has a flock of 21 Katahdin ewes that she regeneratively rotates through the 18 acres of pasture on her farm. She also has two horses that she trains and rides in dressage and driving. Julie wanted to be a large animal veterinarian when she grew up, and she has a B.S. in animal science from Truman State University and an M.S. in rural sociology from Iowa State University. She did four more years of graduate school at The Ohio State University and is just a dissertation short of having a PhD.

“I reinvented myself at age 51 by finally moving to the farm I always wanted and bringing my horses home. Learning to intensively graze sheep and horses is the most complicated and challenging thing I’ve ever done, and doing it all by myself as a first-generation beginning farmer takes it to a whole new level beyond complexity. It’s exhausting, terrifying, and exhilarating all at the same time.”

Working at OEFFA has been one of the most gratifying career experiences Jessica has ever had. She’s grateful to be part of the OEFFA culture and appreciates her team and the members and farmers we serve. If you were at the OEFFA conference and enjoyed breakfast, lunch, or the taco bar, you have Jessica to thank. When she’s not connecting with OEFFA farmers or picking up as many salad greens as her car will fit, Jessica is committed to supporting OEFFA’s promotion of healthy soil practices and regenerative agriculture. She’s happy to share knowledge about the USDA organic logo and the significance of our work within and beyond her community. When Jessica isn’t at work, she’s learning, exploring, and spending time in natural spaces, and playing music. She loves rock n’ roll and is part of an alternative rock band called New Mother Nature.

“In our fast-paced society, I want to help you slow down, take a deep breath, look around, and enjoy the natural world that we live in. That tree outside your house holds a lot of magic and has its own community internally and externally. Just like that tree, we have the opportunity to dig our roots deep into the ground of knowledge and experiences to then bloom and grow upward.”

If Johnnie were to himself to you in an elevator, he’d say that he’s “an average person with a love for helping people and connecting people with sustainable agriculture.” That’s exactly what he does at OEFFA. As one of our sustainable agriculture educators, he leads the Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP) mentorship initiative, which connects farmers transitioning to organic with local, experienced mentors. He also responds to farmers’ calls and emails, offering advice and answering questions about any and all agriculture-related topics. His B.S. and M.S. in agriculture from The Ohio State University support this, as does his background. His family farm raises hay and row crops and shares many values that are reflected in OEFFA’s work.

“When I first found OEFFA, the ideals and principles of the organization aligned with what I had been taught by my mother and father. OEFFA represented small family farms like ours. OEFFA represented the kind of farmer my dad, grandfather, and great-grandfather are and were. OEFFA represented the diverse 40-cow dairy with a father who worked from dawn till dusk to support a family so his two kids could have a better life, and most importantly, OEFFA represented that his work, life, and dedication were valued. OEFFA represented that there was so much more that went into a gallon of milk than a dollar sign. OEFFA represented a love for the environment and the connection farmers have with the land. Most importantly, OEFFA represented all farmers, whether they look like my dad or not, and gave everyone who picked up the phone help, resources, support, a voice, and a seat at the table. I decided to work at OEFFA to try to give back to all farmers and those interested in organic and sustainable agriculture.”