Jacob Gilley

Senior Technical Livestock and Grazing Specialist, Eastern U.S., American Farmland Trust

Jacob Gilley is the Senior Technical Livestock and Grazing Specialist, Eastern U.S. for American Farmland Trust working to increase awareness of sustainable grazing and livestock production and it’s impacts on improving soil and water quality, wildlife habitat, production efficiencies and overall profitability. Jacob is passionate about agriculture and serves on a number of agricultural boards, including Virginia Forage and Grassland Council Board, Virginia Cattlemen’s Policy and Industry Advocacy Board, Mountain 2 Bay Grazing Alliance and the Virginia Beginning Farmer and Rancher Coalition. Jacob, his wife Jennifer and their four children currently own and operate JG Livestock in Madison, Virginia which includes a cattle backgrounding enterprise along with finishing beef, feeder pigs, and pastured broilers. The beef, pork and chicken which they produce are direct marketed to consumers through their Heaven’s Hollow Farm brand. Jacob earned a Bachelor of Science in Animal and Poultry Sciences from Virginia Tech and a Master of Science in Career and Technical Education with an emphasis in agricultural education from Virginia Tech. He is Nutrient Management, Professional Animal Scientist (beef and dairy) and Beef Quality Assurance certified.