AJ Richards is the Founder and CEO of From The Farm®, a national marketplace platform designed to connect consumers directly with independent farmers and ranchers. His work focuses on aligning environmental stewardship with economic viability in modern food systems.
Three years before COVID-19, AJ began studying regenerative and holistic land management practices after recognizing both the ecological fragility of Western rangelands and the untapped potential for healthier food production. Inspired by historical accounts—including journals from Father Escalante in the 1700s describing Southern Utah’s Escalante region as some of the most beautiful grasslands he had seen—AJ developed a vision for re-greening degraded desert landscapes.
He purchased 40 acres in Southern Utah alongside two fellow Iraq War veterans and partnered with a neighboring 20-acre property. Together, they launched a 60-acre desert restoration demonstration project under the Escalante Land Trust, focused on regenerative land management and long-term ecosystem recovery. The project continues under the leadership of its chairman and on-site project lead.
When COVID-19 exposed structural weaknesses in the U.S. food supply chain, AJ pivoted toward building scalable infrastructure through From The Farm®. He recognized that regenerative agriculture cannot expand without viable market demand. Today, his work centers on building decentralized commerce systems that allow producers to adopt regenerative practices while remaining economically competitive.
AJ advocates for rebuilding food systems that restore land, strengthen rural economies, and reconnect consumers to the source of their food.