Bio

Meet Our CEO

Courtney Ellington
CEO, New Two Farms

Courtney Ellington describes her journey into farming as “a path less traveled.”

“While my family had no background in agriculture, my fascination with the land and its potential for growth and sustenance was undeniable,” the Memphis, Tennessee native said.

“From a young age, I found myself captivated by the beauty of nature and the bountiful harvests it could yield. I marveled at the way crops sprouted from the earth, nurtured by the sun and rain, and ultimately nourishing communities.”

Today, Courtney lives in Oroville, California, and runs New Two Farms with her children. The farm produces beets, carrots, kale, beans, okra, zucchini, squash, and eggs, and benefits from FVC’s Homegrown By Heroes label.

“Being a part of Homegrown By Heroes means a lot to me,” she said. “It has helped me tremendously in my farming career. I have always been able to call and ask questions and get connected to people who can also help me. Most importantly, they paid for me to go to the California Farm Academy, which has helped me to be where I am today.”

Her early dreams of becoming a farmer at one point seemed unattainable. She had no guidance from family or any expertise in the field. At age 19, she joined the U.S. Army. “Although enlisting in the military may have seemed like a departure from my agricultural aspirations, it provided me with invaluable life experiences, discipline, and newfound skills,” she said. “My initial role as a 92G, a cook, allowed me to provide sustenance and nourishment to my fellow soldiers,” Courtney said.

“It was during this time that I developed a deep appreciation for the importance of food and how it connects people on a fundamental level. Little did I know, this experience would serve as a foundation for my future endeavors in agriculture.”