Meet Lelo Jones: Agriculture Specialist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Lelo Jones and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lelo, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
I think what people appreciate most about the Outdoor Fresh Farm brand is it’s authenticity. We’re not just some organization coming in and taking up space in a community we know nothing about. We’re actually from the same streets, we are a part of the community, and we’re here to serve.

In one conversation, people understand our mission. More importantly, they are excited and ready to roll up their sleeves and be a part of what we have going on. People who come to volunteer with us for the first time are probably taken aback initially. I don’t look like or sound like what people imagine a typical farmer to be. I’m from the westside of Atlanta, I’m covered in tattoos, and our platform has a heavy hip hop influence that catches people off guard in a good way. If you pull up to one of our volunteer days, it’s hard to tell whether we’re farming or throwing a party, but I guarantee you’ll walk away having learned something new.

That’s why people keep coming back — that’s why they are spreading the word about the great work we’re doing. We’re more than a brand, we’re a movement that’s here to help communities heal and grow — one seed at a time.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I created OFF with the vision of uplifting the community by teaching others to reconnect with the soil. I am well-known for my unconventional approach as an educator, urban farmer, and food activist. I believe that by reconnecting with the soil we have the power to heal the planet and each other.

The road to getting Outdoor Fresh Farm to where it is today definitely hasn’t been easy. Even now, I’m focused on getting a plot of land that I own so that we have a permanent location. I know that having a few acres is going to make a huge difference, so I’m constantly in search of the perfect setup.

I’ve also been funding most of these projects myself, but now that the brand is growing I know I need partnerships to push us forward. I think for all the challenges I’ve faced in my journey, what’s been my saving grace is surrounding myself with the right people and being consistent. This is key because people see how hard I work and know that I’m serious about growing my brand. Right now I’m pretty much operating as a one-man-band, and I think people are surprised to see what I’ve accomplished just by myself. They see that and they want to help me get to the next level because they see the vision and know what I’m doing is important.

If you ever have a chance to visit Outdoor Fresh Farm and volunteer with us, just know you’re going to break a sweat but you’re going to have a good time. Most importantly, you’re going to learn something new every time you come out. I meet so many people interested in starting their own gardens but they don’t know where to start. My goal is to make urban farming and gardening accessible to anybody willing to learn.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I definitely have to give a shoutout to Mr. Bill Murray who is my mentor and the entire reason I became interested in farming in the first place. He was my teacher when I was a student at Frederick Douglass High School. He had a huge garden in his backyard and would let me come over and help out. At first, he didn’t take me seriously because I was the class clown in school. But I kept on harassing Mr. Murray about teaching me how to garden until one day he finally gave in. He has been the biggest influence for me for sure. He tells me to this day how proud he is of me and I’m glad to be able to take all that I’ve learned and share that knowledge with others.

Website: https://linktr.ee/outdoorfreshfarm

Instagram: @OutdoorFreshFarm

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lelo-jones-39b3791b6/

Facebook: @OutdoorFreshFarmOfficial

Image Credits
Hemphillian Photography