Tandy Jones Brings Farming Background to TLC Land Protection

By Shannon Cox
(from TLC News, August 2004)

While new to the position of land protection specialist, Tandy Jones is definitely familiar with the nonprofit world and the importance of land conservation. Tandy has served on the board of TLC and has been involved with the organization for six years.

Before joining TLC as an employee, he spent his time working as a cattle farmer in Chatham County. Learning from his grandparents as a boy, Tandy incorporated sustainable agriculture into his 21-year farming career. His vision of farming as a cooperative venture with nature was part of his inspiration to work for land conservation.

Tandy was also inspired by both the good and the bad use of land that he saw in his native West Virginia. Tandy witnessed the overexploitation of the mountain land by mining and logging, and experienced the hope that comes with seeing a once poorly used area revitalized.

Tandy’s goal in working at TLC is to use what he has learned through observation and as a farmer to educate others about the opportunities TLC can provide to the farming and forestry communities. Part of that effort will be to dispel the misinformation that prevents people from making use of those opportunities.

TLC is not the first nonprofit with which Tandy has been involved. He and his wife, Alison Hill, started a nonprofit elementary and preschool, the Community Independent School, on their own farmland in 1993. When Tandy decided to pursue a position with a nonprofit group, he sought out a similar organization: one that had great people supporting a great mission.

“The Triangle has been a wonderful place to live and raise a family,” Tandy says. “I am delighted to have the opportunity to return some of the positive energy I have received from this community.”

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