Hey, Emily Kyle here, and welcome to my once-a-year diary-style post. Every harvest I sit down to look back on the garden, the family, and the business. This year’s is a little more honest than usual, so grab a cup of tea and join me.

The Kyle family standing together in the garden among dahlias and cannabis plants

Table of Contents

Get to Know Me Better

If you’re here reading this, chances are we have already connected in some way. I’d love to know how we met, so leave a comment below.

If we haven’t really met yet, hi, I’m Emily Kyle, a registered dietitian who happens to love the plant.

This is my 7th year publishing a harvest post like this, which is crazy to think about, and reading the past posts really puts time and things into perspective.

As 2026 comes to a close, I want you to know I am so grateful for you, especially everyone who was here with me through my health scare and sinus surgery.

Your support is the reason I get to do work I care about this much, and I feel that more this year than ever.

Emily Kyle being kissed on both cheeks by her two sons in the garden

Personal Updates

For ten years, I’ve worked from home and built this online business around my kids. I worked after they went to bed, during nap time, and very often, in the car while waiting for a practice to be over.

This fall, my youngest started kindergarten, which means both of my kids are now in school full time. On top of their busy sports schedules, that leaves very little family time.

The shift has hit me hard. I want to say it’s bittersweet, but honestly it’s just bitter. There’s nothing sweet about it. They enjoy going to school, and I don’t think homeschooling is right for us, so here we are.

The house is quieter, and I miss my kids. With that comes the feeling of a big shift in who I am and what comes next. I thought that my next big thing was going to be pouring more time into my business…

Two brothers sitting together in front of dahlias and cannabis plants

My garden is still my peaceful place, and this harvest felt a little extra meaningful because of it.

Business Updates (the Honest Part)

This is the one really personal post I share each year, so I want to be real with you. 2026 has been difficult for me personally, and a lot of that has to do with things happening in the business.

The business is in real jeopardy. The federal hemp changes scheduled for December 11 could mean the product side of my business can’t continue the way it has.

I’ve felt defeated and sad about it every day for months. I’ve poured years into this, and a lot of the business will have to change financially if it wants a chance to keep going.

There are a few bills currently being proposed that could extend the ban by two years (this would be ideal) or amend the ban to offer different product limits, such as 5 mg of THC per serving.

Want to follow along? I’m keeping every update in one place on my hemp ban updates page.

My hope is to keep creating on the blog as much as I can, and that will likely include monthly workshops, where we can dig into the plant together. The products may change, but my love of teaching won’t.

Work Beyond the Business

I’m the financial supporter of my family, so as the business changes, my work now needs to come from outside of it too. I’ve been looking for full-time work, and I’m thankful to share where things stand.

I’m now seeing patients as a registered dietitian at Nourish. If you’ve been wanting nutrition support, I would love to work with you. You can learn more and book a session on my nutrition counseling page.

I’m also officially going to be a professor of nutrition! I’m only teaching one class so far, Basic Consumer Nutrition at a community college, but it’s an exciting way to transition my career.

It feels like work I can see myself doing and enjoying, bringing everything I’ve learned as a dietitian and cannabis educator into a classroom.

I’m still looking for a better full-time opportunity, but I’m hopeful about what’s ahead.

Leaning on My Faith

This year has brought me closer to my faith. When so much of what I built felt uncertain, I found myself slowing down and leaning on it more than I have in a long time. I don’t know exactly what’s next, and I’m learning to be okay with that. What I do have is a quiet trust that I can keep taking the next step without seeing the whole road. That’s what I’m holding onto as I head into the new year.

Our Photo Diary

Every year, we celebrate our harvest with a family photoshoot, capturing our love for the plant and the traditions that come with it.

It really is a digital diary for me, to be able to look back on and see how the kids have grown and how much they change.

It’s also a great way for me to keep track of what types of plants I’ve grown and how the harvest went each year.

Close-up of a cannabis flower in the garden
Tall cannabis plants in full flower in the garden
A creamy white dahlia flower covered in raindrops
Two brothers in cowboy hats sitting in the cannabis and dahlia garden

This year, the boys started their own farm stand, and they were so happy to show it off. They sell eggs from the chickens they care for, maple syrup they make in the spring, produce from the vegetable garden, and spices from Chef Dad.

They also participated in 4-H this year, earning a blue ribbon in showmanship and presentation.

I love to watch them embrace their country roots. They absolutely love wearing their cowboy boots and cowboy hats, and they get so many compliments whenever they go out.

And as they embrace their roots, they are also becoming so confident, with their handshakes and a look straight in the eye. They make me so proud because they truly are little gentlemen.

You can follow their farm stand journey on their Facebook page: RR Kyle Farm & Flowers.

Two boys in cowboy hats with Tiger the cat in front of their open farm stand
Two boys in cowboy hats at their farm stand, seen from behind
A child arranging seasoned salt and rub jars on the farm stand shelf

Tiger, our cat, wasn’t about to miss out on the fun. He is 18 years old this year and has lived on this property longer than any of us.

He was Phil’s grandmother’s cat, and he came with the house when she passed and we moved in.

Getting these pictures of him and capturing how much the kids love him is so special, and I know I will cherish them forever.

And of course the fishing poles had to make an appearance, too. We’ve spent more time this year fishing than any other hobby.

I am so proud of my little fishermen. They have caught bluegill, perch, largemouth and smallmouth bass, and even a huge tiger muskie. They are so independent and capable when they fish, and I love that they want me there to watch every catch.

My son Ransom has been documenting some of his fishing catches on YouTube and would love a new subscriber if you’re into fishing!

A smiling boy in a cowboy hat holding Tiger the cat
Tiger the cat resting on a floral armchair in the garden
Two brothers holding fishing rods in the garden
A fishing lure dangling in front of a boy in a plaid shirt
Emily Kyle sharing a kiss with her younger son in a garden chair

Thanks for Joining Me

If you’re still reading, thank you. Your readership, comments, and kind messages mean more than you know, especially this year.

Here’s to nurturing growth, in both plants and hearts, as we move forward together. And if you’ve made it all the way to the end, please leave a comment below.

I’d love to hear how your year went and what’s coming up next.

Past Harvest Series

Emily Kyle in her 2026 harvest garden

Hey, I’m Emily

A registered dietitian who happens to love the plant.

I’ve been teaching adults how to use the plant for wellness for over ten years. I’m a mom, a cook, a gardener, and a dietitian, in that order, most days.

If you’ve been looking for a calm, trustworthy voice in a loud space, I’m so happy you’re here.

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About Emily

I’m a Registered Dietitian and Holistic Cannabis Practitioner, here to help you learn how to use the amazing benefits of the cannabis plant. My goal is to guide you in managing daily stress, finding joy again, building strong relationships, and improving your overall well-being in a natural and healthy way.

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