It’s an end of the year tradition that we long await … It’s a privilege that we carefully deliberate. It’s a time when we reflect upon good health & harvests, happiness and humility. But most importantly, it’s a heartfelt message and narrative that we begin formulating in our minds at the beginning of every season, and we don’t need AI assistance in helping with reason.
It’s time to share our most sincere thoughts and appreciation for the 2025 Season. A season that provided our team, our family, and our business the greatest example of what honesty, professionalism, drive, determination, positivity, and community support is all about! We wholeheartedly believe that transparency is the foundation of trust, and this inspires us at the end of every season to share our sincerest thoughts with those who have built the foundation for our successes and failures.
Over the course of 12 months, we experienced a few curve balls, our endurance was tested, we felt an abundance of happiness, we faced a bit of disappointment, we rallied as a team, we huddled as a family, we cheered for accomplishments, troubleshot failures, and valued the kind of loyalty that is felt deep within our souls. Together, we found ways to demonstrate exactly how resilient, professional, positive, and proficient our family and our team could be.
In 1999, we never expected that working, managing and growing a family business would be easy. We knew that this endeavor would develop naturally and could be a custom fit for our current and next generation of farmers. We knew that it would take hard work, and we knew that it would only flourish with honesty, a stellar work ethic, longstanding family values, community support and a constant sense of gratitude and adaptability. We hope that over the past year you have felt our love for our profession and for each other!
While some may have detected changes in our routines, offerings, accessibility, flexibility, and demeanor over the past 12 months – it’s time to thank you for your grace and understanding. If we seemed a bit distracted, hyper focused, or even missed a greeting or meaningful conversation – we thank you for not taking it personally. While we remained focused on making the BEST decisions for our family and our business, you were there supporting us and adapting all the way! From experiencing the highs and lows of biopsies, blood clots, breast cancer, blood pressure, brain scans, the birth of a baby and more – our family swiftly moved about this year from hospital stays and surgery to farm fields and festivities. We identified a reality that ultimately defined healthiness and happiness for our family in 2025 and beyond. We were reminded that caring for our crops and our business can only happen after we care for ourselves! For the positive health outcomes that we’ve experienced AND a healthy 1st grandchild … We are GRATEFUL – beyond words!!
In the midst of caring for the physical health of each other and the financial health of our business in 2025, we began the year with the heaviness of judicial court proceedings that occurred in January, May and August. These were moments when we insisted on nothing but accountability. We stood firm as we validated our family’s position on trust, honesty and integrity. While we never imagined how devastating a violation of trust could be, we were adamant that actions have consequences – even for a once trusted member of the Emily’s Produce team. For those who had the courage to talk to us about the situation and validate our feelings of devastation – Thank you! We felt your compassion and saw for ourselves how transparency builds trust!
In the coming year, we realize that all we’ve talked about in this communication will be in our “rear view mirror”. We will reflect upon it, we will appreciate it, we will learn from it, we will improve because of it, and we will be better for it! While we continue taking care of our crops and ourselves, we can only do so with your loyalty, friendship, understanding and support. We will continue making decisions where transparency and trust are felt through each layer of our business and our being, and where hard work is visible from near and afar.
For what has very much been a part of “public record” and a part of our “story” over the past 12 months, we share valued communications that provide clarity for our thoughts and they give you a clear picture of a very memorable year. (Links provided below)
Victim Impact Statement Jan. 17
Wishing You the Happiest & Healthiest New Year!
~The Jackson Family
