Week of March 2, 2026
My dear Something Good community,
Carolyn here on my last week. Sixteen years ago when I met Mathew Givens, I could have never imagined how deeply this farm would change the trajectory of my life.
At the time, I was transitioning out of the corporate world, searching for something that felt more aligned, more honest, more rooted. I didn’t know that the soil beneath my boots would slowly begin to shape the woman I was becoming.
When I was offered the opportunity to start this CSA, I didn’t hesitate. I didn’t flinch. Something in me knew.
What began with a handful of boxes and a big leap of faith became my soul’s work for nearly fifteen years.
This farm changed how I ate.
It changed how I lived.
It grounded me in the land and in community.
It taught me that food isn’t just fuel — it’s connection. It’s dignity. It’s resilience.
Bringing extremely good tasting vegetables into your homes, week after week, has been one of the greatest honors of my life. Watching families build their rhythms around this food, seeing children grow up on these carrots and sweet potatoes, knowing that this small but mighty system helped people feel nourished - has meant everything to me.
Something Good Organics has never just been a produce box.
It has been a living, breathing example of what happens when a community chooses local; when we choose each other.
As I step into my next chapter, I carry this purpose with me. The heartbeat of this work does not leave my body. It has shaped how I see health, how I see belonging, how I see what is possible when we build something from the ground up.
And now, it is time to pass the torch.
I could not be more grateful — or more at peace — knowing that Something Good is staying in the family.
Heather and Bryan are stepping in next week, and I want you to hear from her directly:
A note from Heather:
“Hey there Something Good fam! My name is Heather Givens, and along with my husband, Bryan, I’m excited to introduce myself to you as the new owner of Something Good Organics as of next week!
Carolyn, my sister-in-law, has lovingly devoted 15-plus years to creating this bountiful addition to the Santa Barbara community. As she turns to new horizons, I am honored by her belief that we can continue this family tradition of delivering healthy, local, organic produce to you all.
This farm and community have been a meaningful part of our family for years, and we feel immensely grateful to continue the work she has built with such care and dedication. We are excited to continue our partnership with the family-run John Givens Farm, where Bryan is a second-generation farmer alongside his brother, Mathew.
As members of the Givens family, Bryan and I have been working alongside John for the past decade, gaining hands-on experience and a deep respect for the land and the values behind this farm.
Our goal is to preserve the quality, farmer relationships, and sense of community that make this CSA special, while bringing our shared energy and commitment to serving our members and supporting local, organic agriculture.”
This is not an ending.
It’s a continuation - just with new hands at the wheel.
My last day holding the Something Good CSA torch will be March 4th.
After that, this beautiful program continues forward with the same roots, the same farm, the same commitment to local, organic food — guided by the next generation of care.
As for me… I’m carrying everything this farm taught me into my work as a board-certified health coach. If you’d like to stay connected with me, you can find me on Instagram at @carolyngivenscoaching or email me anytime at carolyn@carolyngivenscoaching.com.
Thank you for trusting me with your kitchens.
Thank you for building this alongside me.
Thank you for choosing local when it would have been easier not to.
This community changed my life.
With all my love and deep gratitude,
Carolyn
Persian Herb Green Omelette
Ingredients:
6 eggs
½ cup green onions, finely chopped
½ cup parsley, finely chopped, loosely packed
½ cup cilantro, finely chopped, loosely packed
½ cup dill, finely chopped
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
¼ teaspoon ground cumin
¼ teaspoon ground turmeric
1 tablespoon avocado oil
1 small white onion, finely grated
Find the full recipe and inspiration here at Dr Hyman
Collard Green Slaw Recipe
Ingredients:
1/2 bunch collard greens, rinsed and thinly sliced
1/2 small red cabbage, finely shredded
1/2 apple, cored and julienned
1 large carrot, julienned
2 green onions, thinly sliced
2 tbsp sesame seeds, optional
Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
2 tbsp Paleo mayonnaise
1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
Braised Collard Greens
Ingredients
1/2 pound thick cut bacon, grease reserved
1 large sweet onion, diced
1 shallot, diced
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 pound collard greens, washed and chopped
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
4 cups chicken broth
Stir-fry Ground Beef and Broccoli
Ingredients
1 tablespoon coconut oil
1 pound ground beef
1 tablespoon garlic cloves, minced
1/2 white onion, diced
2 cups broccoli florets, about 1 medium stalk of broccoli
chopped green onions, optional
salt and black pepper, to taste
Healthy Carrot Cake
Ingredients
2 tbsp butter, melted
2 cups almond flour
¼ cup ground flaxseed
1 tsp baking soda
2 tsp cinnamon
¾ tsp ground ginger
¼ tsp nutmeg
¼ tsp fine sea salt
⅓ cup pure maple syrup
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup shredded carrot
⅓ cup raisins
1 batch healthy cream cheese frosting
handful of chopped toasted pecans or walnuts, for topping