Limited time offer available on select Orchard cabins - secure your new home now!
Limited time offer available on select Orchard cabins - secure your new home now!
Jeff is co-founder of The Farm at Okefenokee and lives in Jacksonville, Fla. Born and raised in the farming community of Amana, Iowa, he has deep roots in working and living from the land.
An avid outdoorsman and conservationist, Jeff is associated with a number of successful environmental initiatives. In the late 1980s, he joined America Forests on a mission to plant 20 million trees across the continental United States. The last tree was planted in September 2002 in New Mexico alongside actors and activists Val Kilmer and Ali MacGraw.
In 1995, he discovered, authenticated and acquired genetic rights to the “Algeo tree,” the last surviving tree planted by John Chapman, aka Johnny Appleseed. In partnership with the Secretary of the Interior, Jeff also developed our nation’s single largest privately-funded habitat conservation bank of 627,000 acres, located in Wyoming.
His successes in the renewable energy industry are also notable. Jeff led a project to replace a coal-fired power plant in Utah with a hydrogen energy facility to power a significant portion of the Los Angeles grid. Further, he founded a successful solar commercial developer in Texas and oversaw the installation of 15,800 megawatts of solar capacity throughout the state.
Over the years, Jeff has appeared on 30+ award-winning television shows; he has planted trees at both the White House and the Palace of Versailles; he’s authored several books; and he led a project to plant more than 3,400 trees, one for each recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor.
Today, Jeff’s lifelong passions for community, education, farming and sustainability coalesce at The Farm at Okefenokee. This one-of-a-kind place will not only include all of his past passions, it will integrate bitcoin mining as a way to ensure sustainability with our land intersects with the sustainability of our financial system.
Doug grew up in the woods and waters of North Florida and South Georgia. His lifelong passions around fishing, hunting, surfing, and the outdoors have influenced his professional career. As a conservation-based real estate developer, Doug has more than 30 years of experience focused on low impact development, resilient communities, alternative energy solutions, and the sustainable integration of agriculture, economic, and environmental elements into communities and commerce.
Doug’s expertise and experience has grown to be recognized by peers, governing authorities, and trade groups as one of the top-most developers in the conservation and real estate development industry. He has testified multiple times before the United States Congress, including the Subcommittee on Interior, Energy and Environment and the Senate Committee on Environmental and Public Works, all related to his work. Now, as founder of The Farm at Okefenokee, Doug is excited to bring together all of his passions, experiences, and creativity to “bring to life” this one-of-a-kind Regenerative Farming Community.
Derrick is a true jack of all trades. As farm manager, he smoothly directs farm operations to best utilize our talented team members – all with a cool, calm demeanor as he loves the peaceful atmosphere of our 1,000+ acres. But don’t let his laid-back approach fool you; this Folkston, Ga. Native gets things done. When he finds time between his current responsibilities and strategizing for our next projects, he’s considering farm modeling.
A native of southeast Georgia, Dixie joined The Farm team while looking into college education options. After a week of working in the gardens, she changed her study focus to agriculture and committed herself to becoming The Farm’s pest mitigation specialist. When she’s not learning about local pests and diagnosing crops, Dixie fills in with the Animal Welfare Team. Dixie’s favorite part of The Farm is the good energy and happiness it brings to the employees and visitors.
Lauren has lived in several states, but her family is from Waycross and Georgia is her heart’s home. Though trained as an EMT and firefighter, Lauren feels that a career at The Farm offers a larger scale of her personal dreams and allows her to pursue goals she and her husband share for their family. As a manager of the Animal Welfare Team, Lauren is in tune with the care and compassion necessary to provide what the livestock deserve. She has created programs to move all the livestock toward more regenerative, organic and sustainable lives.
Judy manages product development and procurement, turning everything grown at The Farm into products for our residents as well as merchandise sold at local farmers markets. A resident of Jacksonville, Fla. – by way of New Castle, Ind. – Judy has decades of experience in wholesale and retail purchasing; merchandising; fashion and interior design and production; staging; and event planning and management. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in business, fashion merchandising and art from Ball State University after a youth devoted to sewing, pattern making and designing wedding dresses. As a cervical cancer survivor, Judy is devoted to producing chemical-free products including natural medicinal remedies. When not busy with farm activities, she spends as much time as possible outdoors with family, friends and her dogs.
Nicole was born in Albany, NY, but started kindergarten in Folkston and has lived locally ever since. As the team gardener with the longest tenure on The Farm, she cultivates the different gardens and works in the greenhouse. She’s currently working on specializing in sustainable crop propagation, improvement and seed-saving so The Farm can grow the best, most nutritious foods that do well in our unique area. Nicole is especially passionate about planting for pollinators and is keenly aware of their critical environmental contributions. When you see her at The Farm, she’ll likely have a big smile as she truly loves her craft.
Jerrie, The Farm’s resident muleskinner, splits her time between the equines and the gardens. With most of her immediate family in south Georgia and north Florida, this area truly is home to her. When it comes to The Farm, she can do it all. Currently, Jerrie is increasing her knowledge of irrigation, though she accepts all challenges with enthusiasm.
As senior construction manager, Mike is The Farm’s longest tenured employee. Born and raised in Folkston, Ga., he appreciates all that has occurred on the property. Mike earned his way onto the team with his quality craftsmanship and continues to display his dynamic skill set as he helps bring the unique vision for our community to life. He enjoys bringing his kids to The Farm and loves seeing their amazement at his most recent projects.
