From modeling for brands like J.Crew, Tommy Hilfilger and Ralph Lauren, Upshaw's next goal is to educate everyone on biodegradable agriculture. 

Photography by John Balsom

Fashion by Christian Stroble&nbsp;

Casting by Kegan Webb

There has never been a better&mdash;or at least a better-looking&mdash;advocate for biodiverse agriculture than Josh Upshaw. &ldquo;About two years ago I started this process of finding a deeper life: What is the meaning we&rsquo;re put here for? That I&rsquo;m put here for? I just felt lost,&rdquo; explains the <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/men/matthew-noszka-new-roles-expecting-baby" target="_blank">model</a> who is recognizable for his work for J.Crew, <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion-week/tommy-hilfiger-spring-2020-tommynow-runway-show-stream-live" target="_blank">Tommy Hilfiger</a> and <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/very-ralph-hbo-documentary-ralph-lauren-2019" target="_blank">Ralph Lauren</a>. &ldquo;I was just living life and I didn&rsquo;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.&rdquo; 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&rsquo;t history, as they say, it is the 34-year-old&rsquo;s overarching plan for the year ahead. &ldquo;I have been moving in that direction for the last six months and learning about it and how to help,&rdquo; he says. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s all about educating farmers and us, the people.&rdquo; Don&rsquo;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 &ldquo;been a pretty incredible ride.&rdquo; &ldquo;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,&rdquo; he says humbly.&nbsp;

SUIT: ERMENEGILDO ZEGNA. TANK: SALVATORE FERREGAMO. NECKLACE: TIFFANY & CO. 

SHIRT: RAG AND BONE. PANTS: ERMENEGILDO ZEGNA. NECKLACE: TIFFANY & CO. 

Fashion Assistants&nbsp;Daniel Avero, Kate Strand, Gigi Freyeisen

Grooming&nbsp;Mira Chai Hyde (House of Skuff and SK-II Skincare)

Model Josh Upshaw Talks Life-Changing Biodiverse Farming

L'OFFICIEL USA June 2024 - Megan Thee Stallion Cover

L'OFFICIEL USA May 2024 - Jackson Wang Cover

L'OFFICIEL USA May 2024 - Natalie Portman Cover

L'OFFICIEL HOMMES USA April 2024 - Jake Gyllenhaal Cover

L'OFFICIEL HOMMES USA April 2024 - Zayn Malik Cover

L'OFFICIEL USA March 2024 - Dakota Johnson Cover

L'OFFICIEL USA December/January 2024 - Vanessa Kirby Cover

L'OFFICIEL USA November 2023 - Sofia Richie Grainge Cover

L'OFFICIEL HOMMES USA Fall 2023 - Nicholas Galitzine

L'OFFICIEL USA Fall 2023 - Jay Chou Cover

Model Josh Upshaw Talks Life-Changing Biodiverse Farming

Recommended posts for you

Pop culture

15 Stunning Photos From the 2024 Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony

Fashion

Every Celebrity Spotted at the 2024 Olympic Games Prelude Party

Fashion

Beat The Summer Heat In Style With Streamlined Business Casual Attire

Film & TV

Everything To Know About the 2024 Venice Film Festival

Beauty

Collagen Face Masks Are The Skincare Secret To Maintaining Your Summer Glow

Fashion

Ethel Cain Explores Ethereal Aesthetics Through Her Singular Sartorial Sense

Fashion

Where to Shop for Unique Charms

Fashion

A Deep Dive into Lily Collins' Style Evolution