Doug and Anna Jones-Crabtree are first-generation farmers growing Regenerative Organic Certified Silver-level heirloom grains and legumes in the Northern Great Plains of Montana. Alongside a dedicated crew, they run Vilicus Farms, an 11,200-acre dryland crop operation, of which 3,500 acres are financed in partnership with Iroquois Valley. Situated near the Canadian border, Vilicus is a nationally recognized model for how conservation and large-scale organic agriculture can thrive together.

The vision for Vilicus Farms began decades ago. Doug grew up on his family’s grain farm in Ohio, which was lost during the farm crisis of the 1980s. Without land of his own, returning to agriculture seemed out of reach. But he and Anna remained determined to find a path forward. With a growing awareness of opportunities in the organic market, they began shaping a bold vision for a diversified farm that would serve both as a productive business and a living experiment in stewardship. In 2009, with lots of grit and  USDA Beginning Farmer programs, Doug and Anna launched Vilicus Farms on 1,280 acres. 

Today, Vilicus Farms grows more than 20 varieties of heirloom grains, legumes, and oilseeds—including rye, wheat, emmer, spelt, durum, oats,  lentils, flax, mustard, and safflower—which make their way into products from companies like Timeless Natural Food and Annie’s Homegrown. Recently, they added a herd of Highland cattle to the operation, integrating rotational grazing as a tool for building soil fertility and enhancing long-term crop productivity.

At the heart of Vilicus is a deep commitment to conservation. Their farming system relies on long crop rotations—spanning five to seven years—interwoven with cover crops that build soil health, retain moisture, and naturally suppress weeds. Fields are planted in 240-foot-wide strips, separated by 20- to 30-foot conservation buffers that protect the lighter soils and capture moisture. In partnership with the Xerces Society, many of these buffers are seeded with native grasses and wildflowers, providing essential habitat for pollinators, songbirds, and wildlife.

In fact, 26% of their total acreage is set aside for conservation—a commitment that has made Vilicus the largest Bee Better Certified farm on the planet!

But Doug and Anna’s impact goes well beyond their fields. In 2013, they launched a pioneering apprenticeship program for beginning organic farmers. That program grew into the Vilicus Institute, a nonprofit with a mission to “Reimagine the relationship between agriculture, ecology, and economics.” The Institute focuses on sharing its stewardship-based farming model and builds community among farmers, scientists, artists, and changemakers working toward a more resilient agricultural future. Additionally, Doug serves on the board of the Organic Trade Association, and Anna sits on the board of the Real Organic Project and serves as Board Chair of Iroquois Valley. 

Even the farm’s name reflects their philosophy. In Latin, there are two words for “farmer”: agricola, meaning one who labors on the land, and vilicus, meaning steward of the land. No term could better describe the work of Doug and Anna, who embody the true meaning of stewardship—proving that with vision, care, and courage, it’s possible to grow food in a way that restores the land, empowers people, and reimagines what agriculture can be.