MEET THE FARMER Series

Welcome to our MEET THE FARMER series, where we celebrate the dedicated growers who nourish our communities. Meet Todd Jensen of Jensen Family Farm, whose remarkable journey from Chicago commodity trader to Michigan farmer shows us that sometimes the most meaningful career changes come through faith, prayer, and divine calling.

A Life-Changing Prayer

Todd's story begins not in the fields, but in the bustling world of commodity trading in Chicago, where he spent 22 years navigating markets and making deals. Married to Jennifer with three children—Cole, Em, and Annie—the Jensen family seemed to have it all. Yet as their kids grew, something was missing. The magic happened during those summer visits to Michigan, where the family found themselves increasingly drawn to a simpler, more connected way of life.

"We had lost fascination with suburban living and enjoyed our time in the summers in Michigan more and more," Todd reflects. What started as a passing thought became a persistent question: What would it mean to stay here year-round?

Three Years of Seeking Direction

The transition wasn't immediate—it was intentional. For three years, Todd and Jennifer prayed earnestly about their future, asking the fundamental questions: "If it's Michigan, where? If it's Michigan, what?" Each summer visit strengthened their conviction that God was calling them toward something different, something that would require tremendous faith.

The answer came through a farm that had been in their friends' family for generations. While there was already a capable farm manager who had done wonderful work for 14 years, Todd felt a distinct calling during his morning devotions: "I can teach you how to be a farmer, but you gotta farm."

Divine Connections and Cold Calls

When Todd finally made the decision to farm himself rather than simply oversee operations, an unexpected network of support began to emerge. The departing farm manager offered crucial advice: "You really need to meet this young guy named Caleb."

That recommendation would prove prophetic. During a lunch with asparagus farmers in Rodney, Todd heard the same name again: "There's this young man over in your area named Caleb Scher. You really had to call him."

On January 15th, 2015, Todd made that call. What was supposed to be a quick 30-minute conversation turned into a six-and-a-half-hour farm tour and mentoring session that would change everything.

The Power of Prayer and Partnership

Todd's relationship with Caleb exemplifies the spirit of farming community. "I don't know anybody who is more diligent in his work, harder working than Caleb," Todd says. But their connection runs deeper than business advice and agricultural guidance.

True to his character, Todd ended their first meeting by asking, "How can I pray for you?" Caleb shared his heartbreak over his daughter's persistent illness and countless trips to Children's Hospital. That prayer, Todd believes, was answered when Caleb and Children's Hospital finally connected to address his daughter's health challenges.

Eleven Years of Growth

Now approaching his 11th year on the farm, Todd has transformed from commodities trader to dedicated farmer, proving that with faith, community support, and hard work, even the most dramatic career changes are possible. His journey from the Detroit area to the trading floors of Chicago and finally to the fertile fields of Michigan shows that sometimes our most meaningful work comes when we're willing to trust in something bigger than ourselves.

The Jensen Family Farm stands as a testament to the power of prayer, the importance of community connections, and the courage to follow where faith leads—even when it means leaving everything familiar behind.

Watch Todd's full story in the video above and discover how a commodity trader's leap of faith created a thriving farm built on prayer, community, and divine guidance. Learn how three years of seeking direction led to eleven years of purposeful farming.