In a little while, I’ll head over to Home Grown Cafe to pick up my CSA box filled with organic, locally grown veggies. Usually CSA Day is a happy event, but this morning I received a more-than-sad email from Casey Spacht, the General Manager of my CSA, Lancaster Farm Fresh Cooperative. In the spirit of community and love, I wanted to share this story with you:
Dear Farmers, Staff, CSA Members, and friends,
I’m writing to let you all know of a very tragic accident that happened last weekend to Tyson Snader, our CSA Manager. LFFC was having an employee family picnic on a nearby farm in Ephrata. The weather was perfect-sunny, not humid-a textbook day for a picnic. Along with plenty of co-op camaraderie, there were family members, playing children, good food, a pond with slide, and a dock with a rope swing and diving board.
It seemed to all happen in an instant. Shortly after arriving, Tyson went down the slide and dove into the water but didn’t come up right away. He was quickly grabbed by a few fellow sliders and carefully led to the shore where everyone kept him still and did the best they could at getting him and his family whatever they needed until the ambulance and paramedics arrived.
A few hours later we heard the heartbreaking news… Tyson had broken his neck and was told that he will never walk again.
As many of you may know from corresponding with him, Tyson is a man of pure determination and an unending power to overcome struggle. After he interviewed for the position of CSA Manager, we knew that we’d found the perfect candidate for the role. He had the skills we were looking for, the will to do what’s right, and the character to make good things happen.. . .After graduating from college and working in the biofuel industry, he wanted to bring his family back to Lancaster County where Lacey, his new wife (and partner of 3 years), and Hudson, their beautiful 2 year old son, could establish roots. He also wanted to get back to the work he’s so passionate about: getting good food from local farmers to families in our region. With our CSA program, he wants to change an unjust food system for the better.
We don’t pretend to know what the future brings, but we can’t wait for him to be able to go home and be with his amazing wife, Lacey, and awesome son, Hudson. We are pulling for all of them every second of every day. We also can’t wait to have him back at the office to see and hear him talking about all the good things that come from this planet as well as the connection that we all have in making it an amazing, tightly knit community to live in and be part of.
Since you are a part of MY community, I needed to share this news in hopes that you will send prayers, good thoughts, pleasant vibes, and well wishes Tyson’s way. If you’d like to do more than that or want updates on his condition, just click on the You Caring link here: www.youcaring.com.
Rachel's Table 
Godspeed Tyson. Prayers from California.
Thanks, Sean.
I like your sense of community. All good and hopeful thoughts, vibes, and wishes are headed your way in support of everyone touched by this sad event.
Glad you’re part of my community, Hippie! Thank you.
How absolutely devastating. Praying for the family.
Thank you so much!
Prayers for Tyson and his family.
Thank you. I appreciate that.
Tyson and his family are in my prayers. Thank you for sharing this, Rachel.
Thanks for reading, Emily. And especially for the prayers.
Oh my, that’s awful to hear for his family, community, and well, everyone. Thoughts go out to all of them…
So sad. Thank you.
That’s terrible. I always warn my kids that things like this can happen but am so sad that it is your CSA manager. I hope that maybe some of you can do a benefit for him.
That’s a great idea, Tammy. I haven’t received an update on his condition yet, but so far he has use of his arms, but not his legs. They are performing another surgery soon. The medical bills alone (not to mention equipment needed to make his house and vehicle usable) will be astronomical.
That is awful Rachel. My thoughts are with Tyson and his family, what a tragic event.
Thank you, Daile.
My thoughts and prayers go out to him and his family, Rachel.
Thanks, D!
Tons of good thoughts and prayers for Tyson. I have a friend who had a similar accident a long time ago–he lived to be a very active person who has done a lot of amazing things. There is lots of hope for good things!
You are right – there is still so much hope in this scenario. And Tyson has so much support. Thanks for the thoughts and prayers!
Life can change in an instant. Sobering thought. Thanks, Jen.
Oh how sad. Thoughts and prayers going out for him and his family.
Terribly sad for him, for his family.
I hate reading this. This happened to a couple of my friends, but it is just as unsettling reading about someone I don’t know. My best for him and his family.