Why We Dig the Dirt: The Story Behind Carbon Chicken Project
In a world of fast-paced technology, it's rare to find a company whose mission is measured in
generations. But for us at Carbon Chicken Project, that's the only timeframe that matters. Our
story isn't just about building a business; it's about honoring a legacy and building a better
future, right here in the soils of Arkansas.
People often ask us why we started this company. The answer is simple: we're farmers and
problem-solvers at heart.
For our CEO, Jody Hardin, the journey started on his family's 1,000-acre farm in Grady,
Arkansas. As a fifth-generation farmer, he learned early to read the land and witnessed the
dramatic change over the many generations of Hardins who have farmed continuously for over
120 years in Grady. He witnessed firsthand the incredible abundance our soil can provide, but
also saw the "cracks in the system"—the depleted soil, the broken food supply chains, and the
mountains of agricultural waste that had become an environmental liability. His entire career,
from founding award-winning local food markets to advocating for farmers in the halls of
Congress, has been a quest to fix those cracks. Carbon Chicken Project is the culmination of
that quest—a model that stops patching the old system and instead builds a new, truly
regenerative one from the ground up.
For our COO, Richard Ims, the path was forged through a deep understanding of cycles and
systems. As the founder of Food Recycling Solutions LLC, one of the region's leading
pioneers in food waste and organics recycling, Richard has spent years on the front lines of the
circular economy and has a special interest in reducing organic waste in Ecovista Landfill. He
saw the immense value being thrown away every single day and dedicated himself to creating
practical, profitable systems to close that loop. He brings an unparalleled level of operational
expertise to our mission, ensuring that our ambitious vision is executed with precision,
efficiency, and a relentless focus on quality.
Carbon Chicken Project was born where these two paths converged. It was founded on a
shared belief: that the greatest challenges in our food system are also our greatest
opportunities. We believe that waste is just a misplaced resource, and that the health of our
farms, our communities, and our planet starts and ends with the health of our soil.
Every bag of Carbon Chicken we produce is a product of this shared passion. It's a tool we
designed to solve the problems we've spent our entire careers working on. Thank you for being
a part of our story.
