Duke Jackson is a dedicated farmer, educator, and land steward whose journey in agriculture began in 2014 and has grown into a career rooted in sustainability, community, and environmental justice. Raised in Taos, New Mexico, Duke moved to Durango, Colorado in 2012 to attend Fort Lewis College, where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies. It was during his time at Fort Lewis—while volunteering in the campus vegetable garden and orchard—that Duke discovered a profound passion for food systems and farming.
Since then, Duke has devoted his working life to agriculture, viewing it as a powerful platform for political, social, and environmental change. As he puts it, “I farm because I believe that food and agriculture is fundamental to leveraging the change that is needed in today’s world.” His approach to farming is marked by humility and curiosity, embracing the idea that farmers are lifelong students of the land.
After gaining hands-on experience at several small-scale vegetable farms, Duke launched his own diversified vegetable farm in Mancos, Colorado in 2019, supplying produce to wholesale markets. Today, he brings his expertise back to his alma mater, serving as Production Manager for the Farmer In Training Program at the Old Fort in Hesperus, and as Coordinator of the Old Fort’s Farm Incubator Program. In these roles, Duke manages 4.5 acres of diversified vegetable production and mentors the next generation of farmers through experiential learning and field-based training.
Duke is also a member of the Grasshopper Collective, a farmer-owned cooperative specializing in culinary and seed garlic production in Mancos. His commitment to land access and agricultural resilience extends to his work with the Montezuma Land Conservancy, where he serves on the Next Generation Advisory Group, supporting conservation strategies that empower emerging land stewards.
When he’s not in the field, Duke enjoys playing music, exploring the desert and forest landscapes of the Southwest, and spending slow mornings with coffee and his cat, Harvey. Through every aspect of his life, Duke exemplifies a deep, values-driven commitment to sustainable agriculture, education, and community.
