Jack’s Final Newsletter- A reflection and grateful look into the future.

Greetings CSA Members- This is perhaps my very last standard CSA newsletter, accompanying the last CSA delivery of the 2024 growing season. The winter storage coolers here- once overflowing with root crops, cabbage and winter squash- are now nearly empty. In two weeks we will be seeding the first greenhouse transplants for the coming 2025 season. The seasons progress, the work goes on. And yet, for the first time in 3 decades, I won’t be much a part of it.

I have had very few doubts about my decision to step down as general manager of Featherstone Farm on March 1, 2025. I’ve never been one for second guessing. But I’ll be honest; as the date approaches, I’ve begun to experience a mini crisis of self confidence, wondering about what comes next in life. In particular, how to replace the immense sense of purpose that I’ve had from day one, founding, operating and now transitioning Featherstone Farm to new leaders. And, as I’ve written to you more than once, I am far more humble, less sure of my vocation in agriculture now, at the conclusion of a career, than I was at the start. Shouldn’t it be the other way around?!?

If there is one thing that I am absolutely confident about, it is that this small farm business is in the best of hands with the team of people who will take it over in 2 weeks. General Manager Nathan Manfull, Farmer Abby Benson, Warehouse, Sales and Distribution Manager James Mabry and Finance Director Tanya Betthauser… between them, these folks have nearly 50 years of service at Featherstone Farm. Imagine that!! And this is not to mention the dozens of employees from Guanajuato, Mexico- three generations of an extended family- who have worked here for decades. Featherstone Farm is on the strongest of foundations with this magnificent team, I do not worry about that!

And yet, how will it feel to wake up some morning in March without a list of pressing issues to address, fewer meetings and emails and decisions to attend to? I suppose this is one of those perennial questions of retirement, one that I’ve heard older friends and family members ruminate on for years. I suppose I’ll cross that bridge when I get there.

Certainly I will bring one super power from my life at Featherstone Farm into my life afterward; the power of gratitude. There are no words to describe how grateful I am to the people of this small farm- employees, neighbors, customers and CSA members like yourself- for absolutely everything they have contributed- YOU have contributed- to Featherstone Farm in 30 years. For everything that we have accomplished together. This feeling of gratitude will never leave me.

Jenni and I have a tiny, off grid cabin at the “Anderson property” on the ridge near Featherstone Farm. I spent last night up there solo, with a wood fire glowing in the stove, and a pile of heavy blankets. When I got up in the wee hours to put more wood on the fire, I was greeted with an image that, like the glow of 30 years on a small farm, will never leave me: a blanket of brand new snow was illuminated by a nearly full moon like klieg lights. The tall silver maples that surround the cabin cast shadows on the snow that were crisp as a July day. The air was perfectly still, dew point in negative territory, and cold, maybe 5 below. It was hauntingly beautiful. More opportunities to stop and appreciate what is around us every day, like a crisp winter night… THIS is something for me to look forward to after March 1! And something that I wish for each and every one of you, too. Along with many future seasons of Featherstone Farm fruits and vegetables on your family table!

Gratefully- Jack

PS Although this IS my final CSA newsletter, I will certainly be writing to you next week with

my 2024 GM report, and with more updates on some of the projects I wrote about 2 weeks ago…