Justin Jacob is a first-generation farmer and father of three children. After getting inspired by early hands-on work with a lawn care business, Jacob says he decided to pursue farming seriously and to “build a legacy rooted in organic agriculture, healing, and land stewardship.”
Jacob is currently a student in the Farm School program at the Center for Arkansas Farms and Food (CAFF) at the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, an intensive nine-month program focusing on training aspiring farmers in sustainable production methods and business skills. Students split time between the classroom, where they learn business plans and in-depth production issues, and hands-on work at the six-acre CAFF Farm, which is in the process of earning its organic certification.
Jacob’s goal is to successfully develop Majestic Paradise Farms, a wellness-centered farm focused on nutrient-dense food, regenerative practices, and education. He is using his education to train his skills in farm and business production. “I bring a strong work ethic, real-world experience, and a deep desire to raise my children in alignment with food sovereignty, sustainability, and grounded values,” he says. “I’m also being considered for additional training as an Organic Farming Inspector; it’s an opportunity to uphold organic standards and contribute meaningfully to the future of agriculture.”
His long-term vision for Majestic Paradise Farms includes a small grocery and farm stand, workshops, seed-saving, tropical crops, and helping others transform their yards into gardens. “This farm is more than a career,” he says. “It’s a lifelong commitment to healing people and land.” Jacob aims to build a place that “restores people’s connection to land, health, and themselves through nutrient-dense food, herbal remedies, and regenerative practices.”
Organic agriculture is central to this mission. Jacob plans to use his farm to protect biodiversity, build soil health, and grow medicine through food as he feeds his family and community. To achieve this goal, he is pursuing business and legal studies. “As a first-generation farmer with no inherited land or tools, I rely on education to bridge the gap between my vision and lived reality. These studies give me the clarity, confidence, and competence to move from dream to action,” he says, “and ensure the knowledge I gain can be passed down to the next generation.”
The CCOF Foundation is proud to support producers like Justin Jacob with the Future Organic Farmers grant, which gives $5,000 scholarships to college and vocational students training for careers in organic agriculture.
If you would like to contribute to the success of Future Organic Farmers grantees like Justin Jacob, please contact the CCOF Foundation’s Donor Relations Manager Shawna Rodgers, srodgers@ccof.org to learn more.
