Anna Nakamura Knight built a successful career on the trading floors of Tokyo and Hong Kong, mastering the fast-moving language of global finance. A Columbia University alumna, she embraced life overseas, excelling in a demanding, high-powered environment where her days revolved around numbers, strategy, and commanding cityscapes.
But something deeper began to call her back. Not just to the land, but to her roots. “I felt a deep calling to come home and contribute to our family farm,” she says now, standing in the fields of her childhood home in Redlands.
Old Grove Orange is a fifth-generation citrus farm with deep roots. Some citrus trees on the property have been producing fruit for more than 100 years. The farm’s history is steeped in resilience, innovation, and a deep commitment to community; a legacy cultivated by Anna’s parents, Bob Knight and Aki Nakamura. Together, they led the business through major transitions, shifting crops, adapting to changing markets, and expanding the farm’s community impact. Over the years, they became pioneers in the farm-to-school movement, supplying fresh produce to more than 40 local schools and partnering with neighboring farms to improve access and affordability.
“My parents have always been visionaries,” Anna says. “They’ve built something that’s deeply rooted in values, and I feel so lucky to carry that forward and help shape what it becomes next.”
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When Anna returned to the farm two years ago, it marked the beginning of a new chapter. She stepped into a leadership role supporting grower relationships, managing customer accounts, and overseeing operations and sales. She also began preparing to take on more of the production side, something that required more than just showing up. It meant grappling with the full weight of succession: not only the legal and financial complexities, but also the emotional realities of stepping into a legacy.
“We knew succession was going to be hard, but we weren’t sure on where to start,” Anna says.
That’s when Anna and her family discovered The Regenerator: A Year of Farm Succession Planning, a course offered by California FarmLink to guide farm families like hers through the complex and deeply personal process of succession planning.
“We went to EcoFarm and attended a session on succession. They talked about this amazing workshop called The Regenerator… we signed up and just could not wait for it to begin,” Anna says.
Over several months, FarmLink staff helped the Knight family clarify their goals, explore legal and financial structures, and most importantly, have conversations they hadn’t been able to have on their own. These regular discussions created a supportive environment where difficult topics could be addressed openly and thoughtfully. “Succession is so personal,” Anna says. “Every operation is different, and because it’s also financial, it’s hard to really get into the nitty-gritty, even with close friends.”
One of the most powerful tools the course offered was mediation support through a partnership with the California Agricultural Mediation Program (CALAMP). “Our facilitator, Mary Campbell from CALAMP, organized a meeting for my family that brought all of us closer together,” Anna says. “Her calm guidance allowed us to navigate tough conversations with respect, starting a more fulfilling chapter in our relationships.”
Alongside mediation, the course introduced the Knights to an innovative transition model they had not previously considered. Rather than transferring ownership of the existing business, something that would have triggered costly taxes, Anna formed a new company to manage operations, while keeping the land and legacy in place. “We would never have thought of that,” she says. “Once we socialized the idea with our attorneys and CPA, they both said, ‘This makes perfect sense.’”
This fresh approach transformed their entire succession strategy. Anna reflects, “Truthfully, even the nuts and bolts of how we’re going to do succession came out of the course. It really solved a lot of the technical needs that we had, not just relationally, but in terms of transition strategy and professional guidance.” By separating operational management from land ownership, the family was able to protect their assets while creating a smoother, more flexible path forward.
Throughout the process, her parents’ involvement has been essential. Their decades of experience and ongoing mentorship provide Anna with the confidence and support she needs to grow into her leadership role. “This is not about replacing my parents. It’s a collaboration. They’re my mentors, sounding boards, and partners. That involvement made succession feel less like a handoff and more like building a future together.”
As her role continues to grow, Anna also leads educational outreach and partnerships with 28 local farming families, helping deliver fresh produce to schools across 64 districts. She calls herself the farm’s “farmer partner,” reflecting her growing role and deep collaboration with her parents as they build the farm’s future together.
Thanks to The Regenerator, Anna and the Knight family gained the tools, structure, and confidence to navigate change together. Their business is stronger, their family bonds deeper, and their commitment to community clearer than ever. Through this support, they developed a resourceful succession plan that balances honoring tradition with embracing innovation, strengthening both their farm and its role within the local community.
“Succession is about more than business continuity," Anna states. "It’s about honoring our heritage and nurturing a sustainable future. We’re not just farming oranges; we’re cultivating relationships and community."
With new leadership in place, Old Grove Orange is growing toward a future where the farm’s legacy will thrive for generations to come. Follow @oldgrovefarms to see how this legacy of fresh citrus, local partnerships, and hands-on education continues to bloom. Learn more about FarmLink’s succession planning program here.
