Field Trip: Living Loving Legacy
The rise of Nature-first businesses and community-focused solutions
Every soil nerd has a meet-cute with other soil nerds
Back in January, I had the pleasure of meeting with Jeremy Graves and Nany Zepeda—a vibrant young couple passionate about microbes, natural farming, and nutrient-dense food. Our morning together unfolded easily, with the sun and conversation warming as we walked the land they now help steward. This land, lovingly tended by Jeremy’s family for decades, holds the legacy of his late mother, who built a beautiful horse boarding and training facility here.
Jeremy and I first crossed paths a few years ago at a poster symposium at our alma mater, Texas A&M University. It was my first year serving as a board member for the Bioenvironmental Sciences (BESC) program, where I aim to bridge the gap between industry and academia. Twelve years earlier, at the same symposium, I presented my unconventional internship at a vermicompost facility, an experience that has greatly influenced my career choices. This time, Jeremy was showcasing his research on Korean Natural Farming (KNF)—a methodology I was excited to see represented in a university study, thanks largely to his initiative.
Much of the research within our program still focuses narrowly on biocontrols and conventional methodologies, likely due to funding interests, often ignoring the larger ecosystems at play in agriculture. However, seeing the University’s support for Jeremy’s KNF work, along with encouraging developments in the BESC curriculum, reminds me that a growing movement toward regenerative solutions is taking root—even at the institutional level. These solutions restore ecosystems, honor natural cycles, and redefine how we approach both agriculture and business.
Like many practitioners who aim to balance their understanding between modern and holistic practices, Jeremy took time part-way through the undergraduate program to gain hands-on experience in natural farming. He and Nany met at the end of the road in the northern part of the Big Island of Hawaii, within a community of farmers fostering regenerative practices (I can’t think of anything more romantic!). Today, back on his family’s land, they are dreaming of ways to honor this space to educate, connect and inspire others to care for the soil and grow nutritious, healing food.
Letting values lead the way
The name they’ve chosen for their organization, Living Loving Legacy, reflects the trifecta of values they seek to uphold through their work:
the life that’s found in soil and food, and the life which comes from them
the love fostered through community and exchange
the legacy of knowledge and culture that grows from all of the above
As I listened to their thoughtful ideas in the gardens, at their composting sites, over the worm bed, across the array of KNF preparations, under the large structure of the corral (which could serve as a large gathering space), I felt a deep sense that their vision is part of something bigger—a collective rising, especially among younger professionals, to build businesses that align with our values and respect for Earth.
Will we experience a tipping point towards Nature-first business in our lifetime?
I didn’t necessarily set out to become an entrepreneur. Rather, it felt like the only path forward if I wanted to do the work I believe in, in the way I believe it needs to be done. I simply couldn’t do what I’m doing now at an established company. If such an opportunity existed, it would likely be at a start-up—another space built by someone who felt the same pull to create something new.
I’m realizing this experience isn’t unique. So many others working on climate solutions across industries, including regenerative agriculture, have felt the same urge. People like Jeremy and Nany with Living Loving Legacy, and remember when I interviewed Jessi Roesch from Downland and Katie Troutman from Tend? I meet countless passionate people like this every year pursuing their truly unique, environmentally minded business ideas.
The challenge for all of us is that there’s no playbook. Traditional business advice doesn’t always apply to what we’re building. For instance, many of us don’t view others doing similar work as competition. Instead, we see collaborators and partners in the shared and urgent task of leaving the Earth better than we found it.
And we want our businesses to thrive—to meet our needs and sustain us—but not for the sake of endless wealth accumulation. Instead, we aim to reinvest that success into causes aligned with our mission: launching non-profits born out of for-profit ventures, participating in initiatives like 1% for the Planet, adopting co-operative business models, and supporting efforts that make for a well cared for workforce and a resilient future.
Though traditional business norms often focus on relentless production and profit, often at the cost of people and the environment, I’m heartened to see a growing movement of professionals committed to doing things differently—whether by reshaping their existing ventures or building something entirely new. Resources are also emerging to help guide this shift and support success in land-healing work: books like Regenerative Business by Samantha Garcia, online courses like Water Stories by Zach Weiss, and programs like Create by Nicole Masters. (Please comment with any other resources!)
Consumers seem to want this too. I know I’m biased, but it’s hard to deny the groundswell of buyers actively seeking to support businesses that align with a brighter future. People are craving connection—to their food, their communities, and the planet—and they’re putting their dollars behind those values.
So, do we have all the ingredients for Nature-first businesses to become the new norm over the next generation? It feels possible.
The community-driven approach of Living Loving Legacy
As for Nany and Jeremy’s vision for their regenerative business, their brochure describes Living Loving Legacy as “a local agriculture network” with the mission, “to restore human and environmental health through regenerative agriculture and community”.
One of the most memorable parts of my visit was checking out their workshop space as Nany painted a picture for me of how they gather there for events. “I cook for everyone!” she gushed. If there’s one thing she loves more than feeding microbes, it’s feeding people with the food those microbes helped grow. A couple hours later, she and Jeremy prepared an assortment of loaded toasts, fruit and tea to share before parting ways. 🤎
These are the kinds of leaders I want to see thriving in business and in our communities. Don’t you?
Get in Touch
Living Loving Legacy specializes in permaculture design and biological food production and are currently looking to do more work in the Central Texas community! They welcome collaboration and partnership and will gladly accept calls or emails for more information, or to schedule a site visit.
Contact
Website: www.livinglovinglegacyaustin.com
Email: jeremy@livinglovinglegacyaustin.com
Phone: 512-497-1735 (Jeremy)
Wonderfully sexy: have thought hard for an appropriate salute and thank you but had to go steal one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iauAqy-9thA
The link may not be active so my share is a Korean move titled THE TIGER; currently free on YouTube.
If we have to face this tiger in our lives we may find value in words from the master poet Kabir: 'there is no fee or tax on the name of God; take it freely and continuously till beyond the end of time. The Name is endless and is yours free to take.'
Thank you
rj
There's nothing so comforting in our struggles to do what we know is right than the presence and community of like-minded individuals. Beautiful and inspiring story.