October 7, 2025
Why I Left My Dream Job at a Berkshire Hathaway Company—for Chestnuts
Yup. I did it. Why did I leave my dream job at a Berkshire Hathaway company for chestnuts? Passion + vision I guess.
During a panel at the Chestnut Growers of America / Northern Nut Growers conference, someone asked me:
“You’re leaving a corporate dream job to work in the chestnut community?”
My answer?
“Um, YES.”
Choosing Growth Over Comfort
Walking away from a respected corporate career may seem risky.
But to me, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity—to do meaningful work, grow something lasting, and build a movement from the ground up.
For years, I balanced giving my all to CORT along with the passion and energy of building an orchard and beyond. Now I’m going all in on what matters most to me at this time in my life: regenerative agriculture, rural innovation, and community-centered growth.
United Chestnuts: A New Kind of Legacy
I founded United Chestnuts to create a national platform that makes chestnut farming visible, viable, and collaborative—nationwide.
Whether you’re planting or exploring your first orchard, managing existing orchards, exploring chestnut recipes, interested in nutrition or investing in habitat and food systems—you’re part of this.
We’re building:
- 🌰 Grower resources and marketing support
- 🎙 The Branching Out: Growing Together podcast
- 📖 Community stories and seasonal recipes
- 🔧 Digital tools that elevate small farms
👉 unitedchestnuts.com/resources
EBB Farms: Where We Test What Works
With my husband Brad, I co-lead EBB Farms, our working chestnut orchard and nursery in Western Kentucky.
It’s more than a farm. It’s our testing ground for what the future of chestnut farming can be—hands-on, regenerative, and scalable. From hand-planting seedlings to field tours, we’re living the mission.
This Is a Team Effort
I’m not doing this alone.
💡 My creative partner and Co-Founder, Kim Douglass, is the voice and vision behind much of our brand and digital content.
🌱 My husband, Brad Jones, is the hands and heart behind EBB Farms—our working orchard and nursery in Western Kentucky.
Together, we’re turning purpose into practice: planting trees, hosting field tours, sharing what we learn, and growing something bigger than ourselves.
Building the Movement with CGA
I’m also proud to be a new board member serving as Vice President of Growth for Chestnut Growers of America.
We’re building systems to support growers—from new digital tools to strong community support. The industry is ready to modernize and grow, and I’m excited to help guide that process.
Together, we’re:
- Connecting experienced and new growers
- Sharing knowledge and elevating voices
- Building a stronger, future-ready chestnut community
Final Thoughts: Why I Left My Dream Job
This is a story about growth.
It’s not just trees, but people.
Not only chestnuts, but purpose.
Definitely not just a new job—but a new legacy.
I left my dream job.
To plant something even bigger.
And I’m all in.
🙏 Thank You
To my creative partner Kimberly Douglass at United Chestnuts.
Thank you Brad & Sandy Russell, Joel & Margaret Hubbard, and our extended farm family.
Gratitude to Todd Simpson, my mentor and incredible leader at CORT.
To my family—for listening.
And to my husband Brad Jones—for building this life with me.
📍Want to follow the journey?
Visit unitedchestnuts.com, subscribe to our newsletter, or follow along on the Branching Out podcast.