Executive Leadership Transition

Rebecca at the 2023 FrankaLoo Festival

Dear Franklinton Farms community and partners for a nourished city,

I have accepted a new position at the City of Columbus Department of Development. I’ll be working with the Human Services team on housing stability for our city’s most vulnerable residents.

Here at Franklinton Farms I’ve had the honor to work alongside a gritty, authentic, and brilliant crew to dig into the Farms’ mission. We certainly haven’t done this alone! Farms’ staff and board, Franklinton neighbors and schools, community partners, and visionary funders have all scattered the seeds (or pulled the weeds) to cultivate a continuum of food sovereignty that is bearing fruit in Franklinton and beyond.

Our staff and our missional impact has doubled since 2020 and we’ve established a dynamic strategic plan to carry our work through the coming seasons. The Farms hosts a unique place for Franklinton during this rare moment when the crossover of poverty and wealth is obvious because of development influxes. This can also be a moment of opportunity: we know that “cross-class ties are among the most important predictors of upward economic mobility” (U.S. Surgeon General 2023 report). People of all different backgrounds enjoy resting, playing, or communing on the Farm—which is a gift during a critical period in our neighborhood’s history. 

During this season of leadership change we are striving to ensure the missional impact of the Farms does not waiver. The Board of Directors is actively searching for a new Executive Director and has already engaged several well-qualified candidates.* The Franklinton Farms Philanthropy Coordinator, Emma Gardner, will be serving as a contact point as needed. Emma is a Franklinton resident, has been involved with Franklinton Farms since 2020, and joined the staff last year. She is passionate about the mission and well-equipped to ensure this good work continues until the next leader is established.

I am deeply grateful for my years in this role with this amazing team. 

Sincerely, 

Rebecca C. E. Brown 

If you would like to be considered for the Executive Director position, please find more information here.