After graduating high school, Jeremy committed himself to a career of service, spending 24 years across two branches of the military. He began his journey with six years as a Rifleman in the Marine Corps, a foundation that instilled the discipline and leadership he carried into his subsequent 18-year career with the U.S. Army. As a member of the Military Police and a specialized Controller Trainer, he spent nearly two decades overseeing law enforcement operations and serving as a war fighting advisor, mentoring units to ensure they met the highest doctrinal standards for combat readiness.
Throughout his career, Jeremy deployed six times to high-pressure environments, including Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Guantanamo Bay. His service has been recognized with 27 awards, most notably the Bronze Star for meritorious service in a combat zone and the Combat Action Ribbon.
Transitioning from a 24-year military career with 27 decorations to agriculture is a natural evolution of service that the Farmer Veteran Coalition has helped him facilitate by bridging the gap between his military discipline and farm management.
The coalition has helped Jeremy's transition by supporting the following core motivations:
- Renewed Sense of Purpose: As a Marine Rifleman and Army Military Police Officer/Trainer, the Farmer Veteran Coalition has provided a structured pathway to apply his military leadership and training skills to new missions: local food security and helping fellow veterans.
- Mission-Driven Lifestyle: The Farmer Veteran Coalition fosters an environment that mirrors the discipline and structure of a long military career, helping him to find a "home front" service that is as fulfilling as defending national interests abroad.
- Community Health: By providing resources and networking, the Farmer Veteran Coalition has empowered him to contribute directly to the health of his local community, turning a lifelong commitment to service into a sustainable agricultural business.
JB Farms East Texas serves a mission to train veterans, feed neighbors, and grow operations. They specialize in:
1. Raising Black Copper Marans, Ameraucanas, Silverudds, and Easter Eggers for premium hatching eggs and eating eggs.
2. Specialty Crops: Producing organic loofahs for the natural personal care market and organic"Southern Staples" like tomatoes, peppers, and strawberries.
3. Coming Soon: Raising cattle for organic, grass-fed beef
"Returning to agriculture was inevitable because it meant going back to my roots. Having grown up in the farm fields of Indiana with a lifelong passion for farming, I maintained that connection throughout my 24-year military career by seeking out every possible agricultural opportunity. Now, I have evolved that mission of service into providing for my community of those in need and fellow veterans."
Farming has allowed Jeremy to trade his military uniform for overalls while maintaining the same core mission: defending and providing for his local community. By evolving his 24-year military career into an agricultural operation, he continues a life of service by securing the home front through local food security and community support.
"Personally, it represents a mission-driven lifestyle that mirrors the discipline, structure, and leadership of my 24-year military career. It is an opportunity to leverage the skills honed during five major deployments, such as risk management and logistics, to build a sustainable operation that serves as a model for other veterans transitioning into the industry. Ultimately, it is about finding a renewed sense of purpose in providing for those in need and your fellow veterans."
