When Jordon Green stood in the middle of his family’s 200-acre property in Lower Selma, Nova Scotia, he didn’t just see rolling fields and fertile soil—he saw possibility. A seasoned sod industry worker with 14 years of hands-on experience, Jordon had long dreamed of planting something of his own. In 2022, with support from CBDC Hants-Kings, he and his wife Stephanie turned that dream into a thriving business: Green Acres Sod Farm.

“I have a passion for farming,” says Jordon. “I wanted to build something that would sustain my family and grow into something I would be proud for my son to take over some day.” With that vision in mind, the couple launched Green Acres, beginning with a modest 12 acres of Kentucky Bluegrass and a simple goal: provide top-quality sod to homeowners and contractors who weren’t getting the supply they needed.

From the start, CBDC played a crucial role. Through a combination of startup financing and the Self Employment program, the Greens were able to cover the early costs of planting and preparing their first field. “CBDC helped us get seed in the ground,” Jordon explains. “They took a lot of the stress off the financial side of things and gave us room to focus on building the business.”

CBDC didn’t just offer financial support—it also provided valuable learning opportunities. Jordon and Stephanie participated in business planning, bookkeeping, and marketing workshops that helped them navigate the behind-the-scenes work of running a farm. “We were basically starting from nothing,” says Jordon. “But CBDC was willing to help us see it through.”

That encouragement made a lasting impression. “CBDC made us feel like we mattered,” he adds. “It wasn’t just numbers to them—it’s like they fought for us.”

Fast forward to 2025, and Green Acres Sod Farm has grown to cover 50 acres—four times its original size. The business supplies sod throughout Nova Scotia, especially to the Halifax Regional Municipality, with most sales going wholesale to contractors and some direct-to-consumer deliveries. Though they don’t yet offer installation services, the demand keeps growing.

“We’ve way surpassed everything we originally planned for,” Jordon says. “We’ve definitely grown faster than we were expecting.” That growth led to a crucial upgrade last fall: the purchase of a machine that finally replaced the back-breaking manual unloading process. “That was a big thing,” he laughs.

With eyes on the future, the Greens plan to continue expanding their inventory, scaling up equipment, and hiring seasonal employees starting in 2025. “If the market is there, we’re going to keep going for it,” says Jordon.

For Jordon and Stephanie, each delivery is more than a transaction—it’s a reminder of how far they’ve come. Staying involved in community events and fundraisers is just one way they show their gratitude and stay grounded in the values that shaped their story.

Reflecting on their journey so far, Jordon credits CBDC Hants-Kings with being more than just a lender. “The support is over and above what you’re going to get through a conventional bank,” he says. “They’re very available to help with random questions and to keep you on course. Our Business Advisor was always there and helped us with our business plan.”

For Jordon and Stephanie Green, Green Acres Sod Farm is more than a business—it’s a family legacy in the making, planted with purpose and nurtured by community support.

Thank you to the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), who collaborate with us to support small businesses and aspiring entrepreneurs. Together, we will continue to build a stronger Atlantic Canadian economy, fostering job growth and strengthening our rural communities.