Today we talk with Charley Jordan about making the move from the military into farming. Charley is the owner/operator of Jordan Farms, in Indian Mound, Tennessee. After serving nearly 30 years in the Army, flying Chinook helicopters with the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, Charley retired in 2017 and found a new mission in agriculture and has devoted himself to helping other veterans and beginning farmers find their purpose in agriculture. Charley was also in the inaugural cohort of a horticulture therapy certificate program launched at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

Jordan Farms specializes in fresh-cut flowers, forest-grown mushrooms, and other farm-fresh products. Charley is a nationally featured advocate for veterans transitioning to agriculture and the mental health benefits of therapeutic horticulture. We think it would be great if we had more farmers in more communities; and at the same time, with over a million people in the active-duty military, when they decide to leave the military, veterans are an important demographic that could contribute to the numbers of farmers.
 

In Shop Talk with Neversink Farm, we chat about new tools, old tools, how they can benefit your farm and tips to use them successfully with Conor Crickmore of Neversink Tools, which manufactures tools for farmers.

In this episode of Shop Talk, we discuss soil blocks, what makes them such a good medium for seedlings, their difficulties, and the alternatives with the same benefits and fewer drawbacks, such as Winstrip trays and paper chain pots.

Thanks to our collaborator on this podcast Neversink Farm. They make this podcast free to everyone with their generous support. For tools designed and made by farmers, check out www.NeversinkTools.com

Connect With Guest:

Internet search: Charley Jordan Veteran Farmer

Website: www.jordanfarmstn.com

Instagram: @jordanfarmstn

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