I
n the fictional universe of the sitcom "Green
Acres," a Harvard-educated lawyer resolves to
become a farmer and does his chores in a dress
shirt, vest, and tie. In the real world of James Faison,
a Harvard-educated lawyer who took over his
grandparents' farm, he more sensibly traded
his suits and pocket squares for work
pants and boots.
"I didn't expect to be doing this,"
Faison, 34, says, "but you never know
how life's going to turn out."
"This" is Milton's Local, an
all-natural meat company Faison
founded in Hopewell, Va., in
2012; operations began in 2013.
Making bacon may seem an
unusual job for a Harvard-
educated lawyer, but this
producer is actually drawing
on a rich family legacy.
BY JULIE BESONEN
PHOTOS: MILTON'S LOCAL
James Faison,
Milton's Local
A Fourth-
Generation
Farmer Finds
His Niche
producer profile
24 ❘ SPECIALTY FOOD MAGAZINE specialtyfood.com
