Dear Farm Community -

Boy oh boy the heat has been nothing short of brutal lately. Heat indexes have been reaching over 105°F according to our weather apps, and most definitely above that in our greenhouses. We’re keeping up with our hydration and salty snacks, but sometimes a trip to the walk-in cooler is in order just to cool down for a few. Farmer Anna aka the DHF Ice-Pop Man has been keeping us cool with sweet icy treats to break up long hot days spent weeding and harvesting. We took a huge chunk of time this past week weeding our dahlia field. After clearing out the pigweed, nut sedge, and other weeds that were running amok in the field, we discovered that we suffered some losses as the tubers were getting established. Farming is all about resiliency and ingenuity, so we are working up plans now to get back on track for our year’s dahlia plans and grateful for the plants that are very much going strong.

Last week we also had Farmer Reid plow those fields we had prepped for turnover the week prior, and he bedded up some nice soil in the far corner of the farm for more squash! Planting was a breeze and more yellow squash is now in the ground.

One super exciting development this week is that another roll of farm-cam film came back! If you didn’t read our April 22nd newsletter where we first talked about this, allow me to explain! A point and shoot film camera floats around the farm - affectionately called the “farm cam” we love to catch little slices of farm life to remember that we’re also growing memories :) Some highlights from this roll of farm-cam are at the end of this newsletter!

But I digress to the “meat” (“veggies?”) of the matter - your CSA shares! We are delighted to have some green bell peppers comin’ at ya! Try out this recipe for vegetarian stuffed bell peppers that also uses the cherry tomatoes in your share - a delicious way to welcome in pepper season! We are also welcoming in a crop that you may have seen at market - the delightful kabocha squash! If this is your first time trying kabocha, and/or you want to keep it simple, try it out the simplest way you can - roasted in the oven - and come to love the sweet earthy flavor that’s a bit like pumpkin-meets-sweet-potato. If you want to get more creative, try making it with a miso glaze or you can even transform it into a dessert with this vegan kabocha squash pudding!

Just a reminder to you all as well - we love to see what you cook! If you post any of your divine dishes on social media, we would love for you to tag us @diamondhillfarm :)

Happy Eating & Stay Cool Out There!
Diamond Hill Farmers

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$25 share: potatoes, squash, tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, carrots, melon

$35 share: potatoes, squash, tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, carrots, melon, eggplant, green beans, garlic

Please enjoy these highlights from the farm cam :)