In Memory
One thing farmers and ranchers know all too well are the gifts and tragedies of life and death.
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Each year is filled with an abundance of life. Babies are welcomed into young farm families with open arms; guardian livestock dogs protected lambs from the eager hunger of a coyote; piglets are born, eggs hatched, seeds planted. And at the end, crops are harvested to nourish the continuation of life.
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With these moments of glimmering vitality, there are equally heartbreaking losses. Precious herd animals are laid to rest. A coyote or two may outwit the great pyrenees. And most tragically, we say goodbye to mentors, friends, and loved ones all too soon.
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It is in the moment that we want to take a special moment to honor and cherish the lives of our community that have been lost. These individuals have contributed to this community in ways we have yet to completely experience.
Andie Young
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Andie was more than just a beloved member of our farming community—they were a force of kindness, compassion, and vision. Their commitment to food sovereignty was unwavering, their dedication to mental health unshakable, and their belief in a better way for us all to survive together truly inspiring. But Andie was not only a steward of land, animals, and people—they were also a craftsman.
Every aspect of their life and work was approached with an eye for beauty, artistry, and care. Whether sharpening knives on a wet stone, appreciating the aesthetics of butchery, or hand-spinning wool, Andie moved through the world with a reverence for slow, good, long work. They were incredibly skilled—at carpentry, woodwork, system design, even low-key veterinary interventions—all done with the same precision and love they brought to every other aspect of their life. Andie longed for the kind of world where people could gather around a table, take their time, and make something good together. In so many ways, they themselves felt like someone from another time—a person who understood that good things, real things, take time and care. Their loss is immeasurable, but so is the love they left behind.
As we grieve, let us also honor Andie by carrying forward their vision—by caring for each other, by tending to the land and our work with the same devotion they did, and by continuing to dream of a more just and compassionate world. In the coming weeks, we will share ways to gather, remember, and celebrate Andie’s life. In the meantime, let’s hold each other close and support one another as Andie so often did for us.
Emery Sunderland Golson​
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Emery was an herbalist, philanthropist, artist and gardener who had a gentle life force energy that attracted everyone she met. She danced through life with a grace and compassion that gave many hope.
Like a firefly, she shared her glow with the world, attracting others to shine their own lights in tandem with her.
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Emery was a devoted mother who, alongside her husband Miles, created a love-filled life rooted in community. Together, they modeled and nurtured a vision of a better world, not just for their children, but for humanity as a whole
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She had a deep love for travel, finding inspiration and insights in her journeys around the world. These experiences influenced her professional work in philanthropy, where she combined her global perspective with a commitment to healing. Emery founded the Radical Waves Project and co-founded the Kansas City People’s Fund, both dedicated to holistically supporting organizations driving deep systemic change in communities most in need.
Our hearts go out to others who have been lost, whose names are not listed here but hold no less significance to the dear members of our community.