A Tribute to Remi
Remington is not returning to the farm next year. And I’d be lying if I said that my heart wasn’t breaking over this news. 💔While it is just part of being a business owner: “people come and go” staffing changes hit me hard. Some of what I love best about this job are the people I get to work with (which of course makes sense- I picked ‘em!) We’re an especially close team here on the farm and everyone matters.
Remington is no exception to that. She has made huge contributions. In her first week of work we built a new hoop house and she showed up to the job with snacks and bumper stickers for the crew that read “follow me to delight!” And it only got better from there. If you’ve ever been to a plant sale, a workshop, received a wholesale order, an email, a CSA bouquet, a shipped package or shopped at the farmers market in the last three years Remington has surely had a hand in it. In fact, Remi recently started compiling a document of SOP‘s (standard operating procedures) for her responsibilities and it’s already more than 10 pages long – whew!
She’s gone above and beyond for customers, our team, and behind the scenes, but for me personally her impact has been quite massive. When she’s around I feel like someone’s truly got my back- if you’ve ever felt that feeling or not felt that feeling you know how meaningful it is… She’s been one of the best creative collaborators/thought-partners I’ve ever worked with. She says out loud when I’m thinking almost before I think it, reminds me of details I would otherwise forget, makes so many lists in Spanish and English, expedites farm goals, and helps make a roadmap for getting there. And although I’ve done my best to maintain professional boss boundaries. She’s become a dear friend. She makes me laugh, is patient, kind, and quickly forgiving when things get a little tense- really she’s a gem of a human! This long-winded post aims to say thank you to Remington, to be a good tribute to her work here, to send positive wishes for her future and also to be transparent about me navigating employee changes as a small business owner leading with my heart.
A farm mentor recently coached me into trying to reframe this shift as “an opportunity to make some big changes.” In fact, what Ellen said to teary-eyed me was, “The only positive thing about losing someone important is that it’s an opportunity to do things differently.” So things are shifting around here, and the shape of the farm will morph in some ways in the coming year. In the meantime, we’re soaking up our last few days working together and you can come say hi to Remington and I at the indoor Farmers Market this Saturday (8-12) or at the Hibernation Solstice Market at Cloud Mountain Kombucha (1-5).
🫶It’s not goodbye, Remington, it’s just a see ya later! As I’ve said to past crew members who have moved on- now you’re farm-ily! And you never know where life leads, maybe you’ll circle back around here someday. I know Rosie hopes so too!
