Meet Shepherd AJ Smith, founder of F.L.Y. Family Farm, U.S. Air Force veteran, entrepreneur, educator, mentor, chef, and community builder.

Chicago born and raised, AJ spent years working and building businesses in the logistics industry before agriculture became the next chapter of his journey. His professional and educational background includes a Master’s degree in Engineering, an MBA, and studies in Special Education, experiences that now help shape the educational and entrepreneurial vision behind F.L.Y. Family Farm.

But long before there was a farm, there was a commitment to people.

For more than 10 years, AJ worked with young people and families through youth football, cheerleading, mentoring, and community programs. Those years helped build a simple belief that remains at the heart of the farm today:

When we invest in children, families, education, and opportunity, we strengthen the entire community.

From Chicago to the Farm

He began cooking at just eight years old, influenced by family traditions and time spent growing up between Chicago, Alabama, and New Orleans. Those experiences created a love for Southern cooking, bold flavors, family gatherings, and the way a great meal can bring completely different people around the same table.

Today, that culinary journey continues through the farm and Jerk It All!, where farm life, creativity, culture, and fresh cuisine come together.

For AJ, food is more than something you serve.

Food creates conversation.
Food creates memories.
Food creates community.

Why F.L.Y. Family Farm Exists

F.L.Y. Family Farm is being built with a purpose far greater than simply raising livestock or growing food.

The vision is to create a safe, welcoming space where children and families can reconnect with agriculture, education, hard work, nature, food, and one another.

AJ’s goal is to introduce a new generation to agriculture through hands-on learning and Agricultural STEM experiences while teaching values that extend far beyond the farm.

Responsibility. Leadership. Work ethic. Entrepreneurship. Teamwork. Stewardship. Community.

The farm is a classroom without four walls.

It is a place where a child can learn where food comes from, care for an animal, plant something with their own hands, understand science through agriculture, discover a new career path, or simply experience something they may never have experienced before.

A Place for the Whole Family

The vision for F.L.Y. Family Farm includes much more than agriculture education.

It is being developed as a place where families can spend meaningful time together, schools and community organizations can learn, businesses can partner with programs that make a difference, and visitors can enjoy fresh farm-raised cuisine and memorable farm experiences.

AJ believes communities become stronger when people have safe places to gather, learn, eat, laugh, and build relationships.

That is the kind of place F.L.Y. Family Farm is working to become.

Help Us Grow Something Bigger

This vision cannot be built by one person.

We invite families, educators, businesses, corporations, community organizations, veterans, volunteers, sponsors, and neighbors to become part of the journey.

Your support can help create educational programs for children, expand agricultural experiences, improve the farm, provide opportunities for families, support community events, and help us continue building a place that can serve generations to come.

Whether you visit the farm, volunteer your time, become a community partner, sponsor a program, attend an event, enjoy a meal, or simply tell someone else about what we’re building—you are helping us grow.

Because at F.L.Y. Family Farm, we’re not simply trying to build a farm.

We’re building a community.

We’re creating opportunities.

We’re planting something for the next generation.

Welcome to F.L.Y. Family Farm.

— Shepherd AJ Smith