Joel Layman was raised in a multi-generational farm family, and agriculture quickly became his focal point since he could walk or talk. Growing up, Joel worked on a multitude of farms throughout Southwestern Michigan, whether that be picking strawberry blossoms off the plant or assisting in fall harvests of corn and soybeans. Having no family farm of his own to fold into, Joel always knew that he would start his own farming operation. 

Joel attended Michigan State University -Go Green- graduating in 1998 with a degree in Agriscience. Over the course of the next 13 years, he gained valuable experience working in ag retail as a crop consultant, as well as on a few different farms, always gaining experience that would help him succeed down the road. In 2006, Joel founded J D Layman Farms Inc., planting his first crops of pumpkins, and in 2007, successfully planted corn and soybean row crops. For the next 5 years, through all planting, cultivating, and harvesting, Joel didn’t have a home shop to operate from. Until 2012, when he bought 7850 Lake Rd from his uncle and where the farm resides today.

2015 saw the first organic crop for J D Layman Farms, renting a little 25-acre parcel that could be experimented with. After that year's fall harvest, it was clearly evident to Joel that organic was the best course forward. Thus, equipment and strategy had to change to meet the challenges of organic growing. Equipment like shanks, tines, flames, and electric shocks is all used in our fight against weeds. Ever changing and honing the craft of cultivation. 

Today, J D Layman Farms Inc. is an organic crop and livestock operation based in Berrien Center, MI. The operation consists of 2,200 acres of certified organic land, which produces a multitude of crops. Coarse grain, small grain, hay, and grazing livestock make up the bulk of the farm's portfolio, with a few pulse crops, vegetables, and some conventionally managed fruit production alongside as well. An emphasis is placed equally on environmental stewardship and sustainable practices, balanced with the financial needs placed on any business.