Carl Jensen Biography
Carl Jensen is an American entrepreneur and farmer known for co-founding and leading Good Nature Agro, a social enterprise in Zambia. He serves as the CEO of this company that helps smallholder farmers grow legumes like soy beans, groundnuts, and cowpeas. The business provides seeds, training, loans, and guaranteed markets to boost farmer incomes. Born into a farming family, Carl moved to Zambia in 2014 to start the company after seeing the challenges faced by rural farmers. Today, in 2025, Good Nature Agro works with over 20,000 farmers and has reached millions in revenue. It has raised significant funding, including an $8.5 million Series B round in 2023. Carl’s work focuses on sustainable agriculture and lifting families out of poverty through better farming practices. He is a TEDx speaker and a recognized social entrepreneur. His story shows how business can create positive change in African agriculture.
Carl Jensen Early Life
Carl Jensen grew up on a large wheat farm in Idaho, United States. He comes from a family with multiple generations of farmers. From a young age, he worked on the farm. This included driving tractors and trucks, as well as picking rocks from fields before he even reached his teenage years. These experiences gave him a strong connection to agriculture and hard work. Growing up in a rural farming community shaped his love for the land and understanding of farm life challenges. His family background in wheat farming provided practical knowledge that he later applied in different settings.
Carl Jensen Education
Carl finished high school and started university studying architecture. He later changed paths and graduated with a degree in agricultural economics from the University of Arizona Eller College of Management. After some work and volunteer experience, he pursued a Master’s degree in International Agricultural Development at the University of California, Davis. He completed this in June 2014. His studies focused on integrated soil fertility management, soil science, and entrepreneurship. This education combined business skills with agricultural expertise, preparing him for development work.
Carl Jensen Career
Carl began his career with hands-on farming in the US. He volunteered for a year in Cambodia, working with rice farmers. This experience sparked his interest in smallholder agriculture. Back in the US, he worked on various farms to learn more. In 2013, he attended the International Development Design Summit in Zambia, where he met his future co-founder Sunday Silungwe. They bonded over shared agricultural interests. Carl also worked with D-Lab programs at MIT and UC Davis, focusing on appropriate technologies for communities. He taught subjects like agriculture, economics, design, and political science. In 2014, after finishing his master’s, Carl moved to Zambia full-time. He co-founded Good Nature Agro, originally called Zasaka, with Sunday Silungwe and Kellan Hays. The idea won business plan competitions at MIT and UC Davis, providing initial funding. Starting small with 40 farmers, the company grew by focusing on legume seeds and support services. Carl has led it as CEO since the beginning. Under his guidance, it pivoted from equipment sales to seed production and farmer training. He introduced Private Extension Agents who train and support groups of farmers. The company now processes commodities and has expanded services. Carl has spoken at TEDx Lusaka in 2021 and participated in podcasts and interviews about agribusiness in Africa.
Here is a list of key milestones in Carl’s career:
- Volunteered with rice farmers in Cambodia.
- Attended IDDS Zambia in 2013 and met co-founder.
- Completed MSc at UC Davis in 2014.
- Moved to Zambia and launched Good Nature Agro in 2014.
- Grew company from 40 to over 20,000 farmers.
- Led $8.5 million funding round in 2023.
- Became TEDx speaker in 2021.
- Focused on legume seeds and farmer incomes in ongoing role.
Carl Jensen Personal Life
Carl Jensen is American-born and relocated to Zambia in 2014, where he has lived since. He is married to Allegra Louise, and they celebrated their wedding in recent years. Carl maintains strong ties to his Idaho farming roots. He values deep engagement with communities and often speaks about the joys and hardships of farming. In interviews, he shares a practical, committed approach to his work. He prefers farm fields over boardrooms but handles both well. Carl is passionate about human-centered design in agriculture and building lasting impact through people.
Here is a list of known aspects of Carl’s personal life in 2025:
- Lives in Zambia, primarily in or near Chipata.
- Married to Allegra Louise.
- Comes from a multi-generational farming family in Idaho.
- Enjoys teaching and hands-on agricultural work.
- Committed to long-term development in Africa.
- Balances impact-focused goals with business growth.
Conclusion
Carl Jensen’s journey from an Idaho farm boy to a leading agribusiness CEO in Zambia inspires many. His education and experiences led him to create Good Nature Agro, a company that empowers smallholder farmers with tools for success. By focusing on legumes that improve soil and provide high-value crops, he has helped thousands increase their incomes significantly. Challenges like currency issues and droughts have tested the business, but Carl’s leadership has driven growth and resilience. His work proves that profitable companies can also fight poverty and promote sustainable farming. In 2025, Good Nature Agro continues to expand, showing a model for African agriculture. Carl teaches that deep farmer support and quality inputs can transform lives. His story encourages entrepreneurs to blend business with social good.
FAQs
Who is Carl Jensen of Good Nature Agro?
Carl Jensen is the co-founder and CEO of Good Nature Agro, a Zambia-based company helping smallholder farmers grow and sell legume seeds.
Where is Carl Jensen from?
He is American-born and grew up on a wheat farm in Idaho.
When did Carl Jensen start Good Nature Agro?
He co-founded the company in 2014 after moving to Zambia.
What did Carl Jensen study?
He has a bachelor’s in agricultural economics and a master’s in International Agricultural Development from UC Davis.
How did Carl Jensen meet his co-founder?
He met Sunday Silungwe at the International Development Design Summit in Zambia in 2013.
What does Good Nature Agro do?
It provides seeds, training, loans, and markets for smallholder farmers to grow legumes like soy, groundnuts, and cowpeas.
Is Carl Jensen married?
Yes, he is married to Allegra Louise.
What is Carl Jensen’s background in farming?
He comes from generations of wheat farmers in Idaho and has worked on farms globally.
Has Carl Jensen received any awards or recognition?
His company won business competitions, and he is a Rainer Arnhold Fellow with Mulago Foundation and a TEDx speaker.
Where does Carl Jensen live now?
He lives in Zambia since 2014.
What is the revenue of Good Nature Agro?
It reached $10 million in revenue as reported in early 2024.
How many farmers does Good Nature Agro work with?
Over 20,000 smallholder farmers.
What challenges has Carl Jensen faced in Zambia?
Macroeconomic issues like currency depreciation and droughts affecting farmers.