Jessica is a United States Marine Corps veteran. She completed recruit training at Parris Island, South Carolina, followed by Marine Combat Training at Camp Geiger, North Carolina. She then attended Military Police/Corrections training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. From there, she was stationed at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina where I served as a Corrections Specialist at the brig and attained the rank of Lance Corporal (E-3).
Jessica joined the Marine Corps looking for a meaningful challenge. She was drawn to the structure, discipline, and sense of purpose that came with serving. Her training and time in the Marines taught her resilience, accountability, and how to stay steady in high-pressure situations. Those lessons have stayed with her and continue to shape how she approaches both life and work today.
"I carry those same values into managing our farm, raising our three daughters, and building a small agricultural business. The mindset of discipline, adaptability, and continuous learning still guides me every day."
"The Farmer Veteran Coalition has helped me to connect resources, opportunities, and a broader network of veteran farmers as I have worked to grow our family’s agricultural business. Through my involvement in the Heroes to Hives program, I was introduced to programs such as the Homegrown by Heroes label. I also worked through the Fellowship Fund application process, which pushed me to clearly define our business goals, needs, and financial planning. That experience helped me think more strategically about our enterprise. The Farmer Veteran Coalition has complemented the hands-on education I’ve received through the University of Missouri Extension and helped me take a more intentional approach to continuing our family’s legacy."
Ladybird’s Bee Yard is a small, family-run farm based in Stover, Missouri, on Jessica's husband’s family Century Farm, established in 1885.
Jessica got her start in beekeeping through her grandfather, a Korean War-era Army veteran, who trusted her with his bee adventures. What started as family time has grown into a business centered around the hive.
They produce raw honey, beeswax candles, beeswax body conditioner, heritage ointment, and seasonal goods, along with farm fresh cut-flower bouquets. Their goal is to build a sustainable and diversified operation that supports their family while being mindful of pollinator health and long-term stewardship of the land.
Jessica leaned heavily on continued education through programs such as Heroes to Hives and University of Missouri Extension to help guide decisions around pricing, budgeting, and growth. They are focused on steady, intentional progress while involving their children in daily farm life.
Her path into agriculture is rooted in both family heritage and a desire to build something lasting. Her husband’s family has a long history of cattle ranching on their Missouri Century Farm, and continuing that legacy has been an important part of their life and goals.
At the same time, she was introduced to beekeeping by her grandfather, and that knowledge stayed with her over the years. When she moved back to the family farm, she brought that experience with her. Beekeeping was the starting point, but the vision has always been a whole farm working together.
"Today, we are working toward building a diversified farm where beekeeping, livestock, and land management all support each other. The goal is to create a system that is both productive and sustainable, where each part of the farm plays a role in the whole. Agriculture has given me a way to apply the discipline and resilience I developed during my military service to something tangible. It allows us to work as a family, continue a multi-generational legacy, and build a future rooted in stewardship and long-term thinking."
"Farming continues my sense of service through stewardship, responsibility, and care for both the land and the people it supports. I take seriously the role of managing our farm in a way that protects soil health, supports pollinators, and produces high-quality food and products."
Jessica stays involved in her community through University of Missouri Extension programs and by serving on the Morgan County Extension Council, which allows her to stay connected to agricultural education and support other farmers and families in her area.
"Being an American farmer means taking responsibility for something bigger than myself. It means showing up every day, adapting to challenges, and making decisions with the future in mind. The values I learned in the Marine Corps, such as discipline, perseverance, and accountability continue to guide how I approach both farming and life."
