🍄Your Fungi 2025 Wrapped is here!

The numbers are in—Rich Life Farm & Fungi’s 2025 Wrapped has officially dropped. From total mushrooms sold to our best-loved tincture, this is a snapshot of Greater Cincinnati’s mushroom devotion. Keep scrolling for the stats, then stay for a few words from your farmers. 💞🍄

Words from the Team

Emalee: Every January, I look forward to the closing out of the previous year. Not because I am glad for it to end, but because I can’t wait to pull the data and see all we accomplished. It’s an opportunity to see the big picture when typically, we are caught up in the operations day by day. It always serves as a reminder that we can do big things, and how lucky we are to still be in business growing nourishing mushrooms in this beautiful city we get to call home.

Throughout 2025 many people asked the simple question, “How are things going?” My response a lot of times was, “I guess, okay?” It was hard to say whether things were going well or not because it felt like nothing was different or changing within business. It took some retrospective to realize what a great thing that is. Usually, things are constantly changing. Within our operations we would be scrambling to figure out new and better methods, fine tuning specific details, trying to maximize yields, dealing with a shortage of products, an abundance of products with no outlet for them, heating or cooling issues, or contamination issues. In 2025, things were stable. We were consistent with our yields, our operations, our markets and our customers. While we didn’t necessarily do any great or huge things, I would say the consistency and stability of our business is the biggest accomplishment we could ask for.

Some of the best moments of 2025 were the times that we got to step away. I was fortunate enough to leave the farm for two business trips: a farm stop conference in Ann Arbor, Michigan and the Telluride Mushroom Festival in Telluride, Colorado. I also got to vacation with my family at the Outer Banks, visit our special place on Isle La Motte, VT with Pete and watch my nieces during their fall break in NC. I am so grateful for having the time to step away from the farm, make new connections, nourish the soul with a few adventures and spend quality time with those I love.

This past year we especially felt the weight of early morning markets as we added in a new farmers market every Saturday in Montgomery. By the end of the season, we embraced the market wholeheartedly as we felt part of the market’s community through the customers, other vendors and market staff/board members. We are looking forward to continuing this market, Hyde Park and Northside in 2026.

As we begin this new year I am looking forward to some growth, but also some stability. I am looking forward to all the conversations, creative projects, new connections and inspirations to be found. Thank you for being here and being a part of our lives and letting us be a part of yours. Our small, local farm would not be here without the support of you. Thanks to your loyalty 2025 was our best year yet. Whatever this next year holds for you, we hope to be a part of it. Cheers to 2026!

Pete: The end of 2025 marked the end of our 5th year of farming full time. I appreciate the opportunity to grow food for all of our wonderful customers and all the love and support we’ve received along the way. In 2025 it felt like we finally hit our stride. We had production dialed in to meet demand, I was able to get away from the farm a few times and things genuinely felt easier.

That being said, growth and comfort rarely go hand in hand. I want to continue to grow not only the business, but myself. I plan to make time for both in 2026, growing with the farm and also taking time to step away for some of life’s other joys. We are a small, but mighty team at Rich Life Farm and I look forward to seeing the ways we grow and continue to serve you.

Kelley: 2025 was a damn good year. I have to echo Emalee’s sentiment, I feel more settled, in ways both big and small. Physically, I put down roots, buying a home with my fiancé in the sweet spot that is Northside. I also traveled across the ocean to visit my ancestors’ homeland, in the countryside of Croatia. There was a deep peace in standing where generations before me once stood.

Professionally, I feel just as grounded. Stepping fully into my role as a regular vendor at the Northside Farmers Market has been incredibly affirming. With consistency came familiarity–names remembered, faces recognized, conversations that grew richer each week. To me, the market has become a community. So, a heartfelt thank-you to all the friendly faces who show up, week after week—you make those evenings something special.

One of the undeniable highlights of the year was the 2025 Telluride Mushroom Festival. Between soaring mountain views, gondola rides, and crisp alpine air, it felt almost unreal. Even more inspiring was being surrounded by so many passionate minds in the mushroom world. Witnessing the innovation, care, and dedication pouring out of individuals and companies alike was truly energizing.

It may sound cliché, but I’m genuinely excited to see what unfolds next. My deepest gratitude to Pete and Emalee—two of the most generous, caring humans I know. They make incredible bosses and even better friends. I’m endlessly thankful for the opportunity to learn from them, and for all of you, our customers, who make the farm, this community, and this #richlife possible.

Thanks for tuning in!

#liveyourrichlife

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