Growing Purpose: Kelly Damewood’s Path to Organic Advocacy
Written by George Goodwin
When you think of someone passionate about organic farming and agriculture policy, you might picture someone who grew up surrounded by fields and farm animals. But for Kelly Damewood, her journey started far from the farm—deep in the suburbs of Dallas, Texas.
Kelly recently shared her inspiring story on the GroceryPulse Podcast, where she walked us through the unexpected twists that took her from an English degree to a dream job helping organic farmers. Here's what we learned from her journey—and how it can inspire anyone interested in sustainable agriculture or making a meaningful impact.
How a College Choice Changed Everything
Kelly’s story starts with a spontaneous decision: going to college in Portland, Oregon. It was, as she puts it, “a random but good choice.” After graduating early in 2009 with an English degree during the height of the recession, she found herself unsure of her next step—until an opportunity came along that changed her life.
She started working on a small organic farm outside Portland. It wasn’t just any farm—it had 50 chickens, 50 different types of vegetables, and a thriving CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) program.
“It was the hardest, most rewarding, pivotal time in my life,” Kelly recalls.
Falling in Love with Farming
Kelly's hands-on experience gave her a deep respect for farmers. She learned about permaculture, animal health, and plant science—things she had never been exposed to before. The experience awakened her mind and heart in ways she hadn’t expected.
But even though she loved farming, she realized she wasn’t exactly built for the day-to-day hustle of farm life.
“Farmers are scientists,” she said. “They love trial and error. I’m more of a researcher and an analyst.”
From Farming to Environmental Law
So, what do you do when you love farming but aren’t meant to be a farmer full-time? For Kelly, the answer was law school.
She enrolled in Vermont Law School to study environmental law, where she hoped to make a difference through policy. But she quickly realized something important—environmental law often focuses on stopping bad behavior, like polluters or violators. That didn’t light her fire.
“I always wanted to help farmers who were doing things differently, who were doing things better,” Kelly explains.
Finding Purpose in Agriculture Law
After Vermont, Kelly shifted gears again—this time to study agriculture law at the University of Arkansas. This gave her a whole new perspective. She had gone from a very progressive, environmental approach to a more traditional, conservative agricultural lens.
“I’m really grateful for having those two opposing experiences,” she says. “It helped me see the big picture.”
That combination—understanding both regulation and real farming life—eventually led her to her dream role at CCOF (California Certified Organic Farmers), a leading organic certifier that works to support farmers rather than penalize them.
How Great Leaders Empower Teams in Grocery Retail
In this inspiring episode of the Grocery Pulse Podcast, host George Goodwin welcomes retail veteran Kelly to the mic for a dynamic conversation about leadership, employee culture, and what it takes to build a high-performing grocery store in today’s ever-changing retail landscape.
With decades of hands-on experience, Kelly has developed a leadership style that not only boosts store performance but also transforms workplace morale.
Leading with Heart & Hustle
Kelly shares her leadership philosophy, rooted in empathy, clear communication, and consistent follow-through. “Your people are your power,” she explains. “If you build them up, they’ll build the business for you.”
From training new hires to managing seasoned staff, Kelly emphasizes the importance of trust, shared vision, and ongoing development.
“Great leadership in grocery doesn’t just manage—it mentors. It motivates.”
Key Insights from the Episode:
Employee culture is the #1 competitive advantage in modern grocery retail.
Trust and consistency are the foundations of strong store management.
Team empowerment leads to higher retention, productivity, and customer satisfaction.
Real success comes from creating systems where customers, partners, employees feel seen, heard, and supported.
A Vision for the Future
Kelly and George dive into what it means to lead with innovation while staying grounded in the basics—great customer service, accountability, and a growth mindset. Whether you’re managing one store or a dozen, her insights are a playbook for leadership that lasts.
🎧 Don’t miss this powerful episode—now streaming on Spotify, Apple, and wherever you listen to podcasts!
Actionable Takeaways from Kelly’s Story
Whether you’re interested in organic farming, agriculture law, or simply want to make a difference, Kelly’s journey offers a few powerful lessons:
1. You don’t need to grow up on a farm to care about farming.
Start where you are. Curiosity and passion can take you far.
2. Get your hands dirty—literally.
Working directly on a farm gave Kelly real-world insight that no classroom could match. If you’re interested in sustainable agriculture, consider volunteering at a local farm or CSA.
3. Support the good guys.
Not all laws are about punishment. Kelly found her purpose in using policy to support farmers who are doing the right thing.
4. Combine what you love with what you’re good at.
Kelly loved farming but had strengths in research and analysis. Finding a role that combined both led her to a truly fulfilling career.
Final Thoughts
Kelly Damewood’s path wasn’t planned, but it was purposeful. From suburban Dallas to law school to working with organic farmers, her story proves that you can make a big impact even if your roots aren’t in the soil.
If you're passionate about organic farming or interested in careers that support farmers through environmental and agricultural law, Kelly’s journey is full of inspiration and practical insight.
Want to hear the full story?
🎧 Listen to the GroceryPulse Podcast – Available on Spotify
Got thoughts on Kelly’s story or questions about organic farming? Drop them in the comments or tag us—we’d love to hear from you!
#OrganicFarming #SustainableAgriculture #EnvironmentalLaw #AgricultureLaw #SupportFarmers #GroceryPulsePodcast
