Greetings from Chewonki!
I am writing to share the news that our Director of Food Services, Russell Shumaker, departed from his position at the end of August after six years of excellent work in our kitchen. A “Farewell and Good luck” gathering will be organized in September, with details to come. Please see Russ’s farewell note to staff & friends at the end of this email.
Russ worked hard to support Chewonki’s efforts to be a sustainable community. He believed that such a community requires honesty and good humor, space to make mistakes and grow from them, and the grace to allow others to do the same—all within a shared commitment by people and departments to give at least as much as they take. The many positive changes made in food service this past year—improving systems, controlling expenses, and aligning policy with practice across the organization—stemmed from Russ’s commitment to the principle of Chewonki Together, which he recognized as his responsibility both within his department and across the foundation. I am sure you join me in wishing him the very best on the next chapter of his journey.
After careful consideration and a process of thoughtful conversations, I am also pleased to announce that Troy Mains will be leading the kitchen as our new Director of Food Services.
Troy arrived at Chewonki during the crisis caused by the pandemic and aptly stepped up and into a leading role. As the pandemic subsided, it was clear that the hard work and culinary skills Troy brought to the kitchen at Chewonki were only the tip of the iceberg. Over the past three years, Troy’s presence has encouraged a growing professionalism in our food services team, creating systems and processes that support our policies and create meals that continue to earn high praise in our family surveys.
The Director of Food Services is a critical role at Chewonki, requiring the ability to design and manage complex systems across seasons, the foresight to scale food production up or down according to programming, the skill to create and deliver a thoughtful menu, the experience to mentor staff, and the financial acumen to manage expenses. Please join me in welcoming Troy into this new role.
Lastly, I’d like to share a thought about food and the role it plays at Chewonki. As an institution of nature-based and place-based education, food holds a central place in both our teaching and our community life. Food, in all its varieties and forms, brings us together—in all our varieties and forms—whether in the dining hall or around the campfire.
In its production, food is a teaching tool for systems thinking: land use, farming, conservation, ecology, recycling, composting, and so much more that lies at the heart of our curriculum. In its preparation, food is a lesson in flavors, cultures, history, and economy. And in its consumption, food binds us together—not only in body and spirit, but also in community, as we pass the plates, share stories, and look after the well-being of the whole table and the whole group.
Food is necessary; good food is a gift; and great food is an accomplishment. Thank you, Russ, Troy, and all the members of the kitchen and farm teams—past, present, and future—for the truly great food at Chewonki.
Sincerely,
Nancy Kennedy, President
From Russell Shumaker:
Hello everyone,
I’m writing today to share some important news: effective August 31st, I will no longer be working at Chewonki.
It’s been a wild and incredible ride—an experience I will carry with me wherever I go. From the very beginning, Chewonki has been a tremendous learning opportunity. I never expected to learn as much as I did, from working with Bill Edgerton and the farm team to embracing unique aspects of this place, like the root cellar—which, honestly, was one of the things that first drew me to the job.
Over the years, I’ve experienced both incredible growth and challenging times. From the uncertainty after Bill Edgerton left, to partnering with food banks during the height of the pandemic, to working with Susan Bauer, and eventually stepping into the role of leading the kitchen myself—it has been quite a journey. I’ve had the privilege of running this kitchen for three years, and I’m proud to say that every year we have improved. I truly feel like I am leaving the kitchen in a better place than when I found it.
This past summer was a highlight for me. Our team worked hard to break down the old culture of “that’s not my job.” Everyone pitched in—helping in the dish room, taking out compost, shucking corn, hauling trash and cardboard—whatever it took. In his assistant role, Troy developed the kind of innovative systems and professional management practices that enabled us to work as one team and get the job done. That’s the spirit of One Chewonki in action, and I think we lived it fully. It was the smoothest summer I’ve ever experienced in my six years here. On top of that, we had a health inspection this summer that was the best I’ve ever had in my entire career—something we can all be proud of.
I also want to take a moment to recognize Troy. He has been an incredible mentor and friend. I’ve learned so much from him—not just about kitchen operations, but about leadership and life. Troy is professional, kind, hardworking, committed to the mission and the experience of our participants, and true to himself. He truly embodies what Chewonki aspires to be, and I can’t think of a better person to continue the great work happening in the kitchen.
So, if things are going so well, why am I leaving? That’s a fair question—and the truth is, there are a couple of reasons. What I want to share here is that I’ve been going through some major personal changes. In many ways, I’m starting over. The past couple of years have been difficult: I never fully recovered from the loss of my father, I’ve lost some close friends, and I’m currently going through a divorce. Chewonki has been part of my life through all of that, and while I believe in this place deeply, it has become intertwined with both my growth and my pain. I feel that in order to truly move forward and heal, I need a fresh start—and that means stepping away completely.
In closing, I want to say that working at Chewonki has been one of the most meaningful experiences of my life. I’ve grown tremendously, and I’m grateful for the relationships, the challenges, and the opportunities I’ve had here. I will miss working with my team more than I can say. You’ve accomplished incredible things, and I wish all of you the very best as you continue to grow and evolve with Chewonki.
Thank you for everything.
Russell Shumaker
