Our Story
In the heart of the Ozarks, where the rolling hills meet the sprawling skies, lies Air2Ground Farms—a testament to resilience, passion, and the pursuit of a dream. This story begins not with a long lineage of farmers but with Rich and Shelley, a couple who dared to reimagine their lives after decades of service to their country.
Rich, a retired Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle pilot with 25 years of service, and Shelley, his steadfast partner in adventure, found themselves at a crossroads after Rich’s retirement. They had spent years navigating the complexities of military life, but now they sought a new challenge—one that would ground them, quite literally, in the values they held dear: sustainability, community, and integrity.
Their journey to farming began with a question: "What if we could produce food the way nature intended?" That question led them west, to Missouri, where they purchased a piece of land that would become their canvas for transformation. With no prior experience in farming, they rolled up their sleeves and committed themselves to learning everything they could about regenerative agriculture. The goal was not just to farm but to create a system that nourished both the land and the community it served.
From day one, Rich and Shelley’s approach was hands-on and intentional. They embraced the principles of regenerative farming, focusing on building healthy soil, raising animals with care, and rejecting the shortcuts often found in industrial agriculture. Every choice—from selecting GMO-free feed for their livestock to rotational grazing practices—was rooted in their commitment to producing food that was better for people and the planet.
Their efforts quickly bore fruit, quite literally. Air2Ground Farms began producing premium-quality beef, pork, chicken, lamb, and eggs, all raised in harmony with nature. Their grass-fed and finished beef, pasture-raised chickens, and GMO-free Berkshire pork became local favorites, celebrated for their exceptional flavor and ethical sourcing. But Rich and Shelley didn’t stop there; they wanted to share their journey and inspire others to rethink the way they sourced their food.
In 2024, they took a bold step forward by opening Air2Ground Meats, a local market in Ava, Missouri. The store became a hub for the community, offering not only the farm’s products but also goods from other local creators, farms, and homesteads. It was a place where people could reconnect with their food—knowing exactly where it came from and the care that went into producing it.
Rich and Shelley’s story is more than a tale of two people reinventing their lives; it’s a testament to what’s possible when passion meets purpose. They believe the food system is overdue for a revolution and see small farms like theirs as the cornerstone of a healthier, more sustainable future. Through Air2Ground Farms, they’ve not only built a thriving business but also a community rooted in trust, transparency, and shared values.
Today, Air2Ground Farms stands as a beacon of what’s possible when you dare to dream big and work tirelessly to bring that dream to life. For Rich and Shelley, farming is more than a profession; it’s a calling—a way to serve their community and leave the land better than they found it. And as they look to the future, their mission remains clear: to produce food with integrity, inspire change, and nurture the connection between the land, the animals, and the people who depend on them.