Model Josh Upshaw Talks Life-Changing Biodiverse Farming

Photography by John Balsom

Fashion by Christian Stroble 

Casting by Kegan Webb

There has never been a better—or at least a better-looking—advocate for biodiverse agriculture than Josh Upshaw. “About two years ago I started this process of finding a deeper life: What is the meaning we’re put here for? That I’m put here for? I just felt lost,” explains the model who is recognizable for his work for J.Crew, Tommy Hilfiger and Ralph Lauren. “I was just living life and I didn’t feel connected to anyone or anything. And in that process of connecting to my soul and looking for something meaningful, I fell into the process of regenerative farming, and my friend passed along a flier for Kiss the Ground.” Upshaw began participating in the non-profit, which inspires participation in soil regeneration (the practice of creating new soil and rejuvenating soil health by minimizing the loss of topsoil and retaining more carbon than is depleted), and while the rest isn’t history, as they say, it is the 34-year-old’s overarching plan for the year ahead. “I have been moving in that direction for the last six months and learning about it and how to help,” he says. “It’s all about educating farmers and us, the people.” Don’t count Upshaw out of the modeling industry just yet, however (as he explains regenerative farming practices to me over the phone, he is simultaneously on his way to a modeling shoot in the Bahamas). Discovered in a Home Depot in Miami 10 years ago while buying paint, Upshaw says the whole thing has “been a pretty incredible ride.” “Things kind of worked out and being able to travel and see the world and work with amazing artists and photographers has been a true blessing,” he says humbly.