W25 (W2): SNOW DAY!!!!!!

Jan 13

Dear Farm Community -

What very regular and not at all unusual weather we are having!!!! This past Friday (like any other Friday) was spent pushing snow off of our greenhouses in our best effort to save our infrastructure. A handful of our farmers braved the elements during Winter Storm Cora and made their way out to the farm in the midst of the morning snow. Living in the south we don’t typically plan for things like snow, and as such our infrastructure isn’t built to deal with more extreme wintry conditions. The greenhouses on our properties are not rated for snow, so we had concerns about them potentially collapsing if the weight of the snow became too heavy. We weren’t too far off in our fears, either. As we began to figure out the best methods to remove snowfall from the tops of our high tunnels, the center bar of the house we were in started to become misshapen due to the load on it - that certainly lit a fire under us to work quickly! Over the course of the day we experienced what is probably the most intense upper body workout routine known to man (“my neck, my back….” was certainly thrown around frequently). Using push brooms and squeegees we bopped the snow off from the underside of the greenhouse plastic. Over and over and over and over. If you remember Farmer Emma’s interview though, you’ll remember one point she made that rang true - some of the most fun we have is in the midst of weather-inflicted suffering. Four and a half hours of smacking snow from below, a couple broken brooms, many cold wet fingers, and one snowman later and we managed to clear the snow with only minor damage. Check out our instagram post from Friday for more of our snowy escapades!

Although our markets were cancelled this past weekend, we’re so happy to be heading into the second week of our 2025 CSA! Our crops have survived mostly unscathed from the winter storm and we’ll be bringing you some winter faves to cook up some nourishing cold weather meals. In your shares this week you’ll be receiving fennel and watermelon radish, a match made in heaven! You can assemble a bright and complex winter salad in this NYT recipe for Radish and Herb Salad with Lemon Dressing (they suggest Meyer lemons, but if you can only locate regular lemons that should work just fine!) If you want to get a little out of the box with your watermelon radish, one of my favorite ways to eat it is sliced thinly and topped with smoked salmon. Just two ingredients and yet more than the sum of their parts! Happy eating!

Over the past few weeks, you’ve met the all-stars of the farm’s managerial lineup, and now last but not least on our managerial team is our Perennial & Shrub Manager, Megan! Megan joined the farm last year as part of the veggie crew but recently shifted into a brand new position planning out and tending to the perennial flowers and residential landscaping on the farm. We hope you enjoy getting to know Megan :)

Know Your Farmer:
Megan

What is your role on the farm?
I’m the Perennial/Shrub Manager at the property off Morton Rd (aka Carter’s personal gardener). I maintain the landscape by keeping the garden beds free of weeds and try to keep the forever-hungry deer away. I draw the landscape design plans, do the installation, and maintain the overall health of the plants. Once the shrubs, trees, and perennials are mature, they will be used for cut flowers at our weekly markets and for wholesale. When I'm not tending to the plants in the yard, I help out with harvest in the fields and projects on the to-do list!

Please share your farming journey!
I propagated my first plant in 2019. It was a Nikko Blue Hydrangea. From that moment on, I was hooked. I couldn't believe I could create hundreds of plants from just one mother plant. I wanted to grow everything I could get my hands on! I caught the horticulture bug! I remember going to my local Home Depot and buying an Emerald Green Arborvitae off the clearance rack and making 200 cuttings from one tree! I had no idea what I was going to do with 200 trees, but I was excited about it! This was the beginning of my growing journey. When I moved to Athens I had a landscaping background but I was looking for a way to continue to grow. I didn’t have much experience in growing food at the time and I wanted to learn. I had ventured to the local farmer’s market and realized there are a TON of local farms in the area. Diamond Hill Farm stood out because they had the best booth! The next growing season, I applied for a farming position. I started growing in the fields at Diamond Hill in the spring of 2024.

What do you like to do when you're not at the farm?
In the winter months, I find joy in painting, crocheting cozy blankets, and cooking comforting meals to enjoy with my family. I also love shopping for seeds, eagerly anticipating spring. Those who know me can attest that I get a bit stir crazy during this time. When spring and summer arrive, I thrive as the world comes back to life. I spend my time off growing plants and selling them online. It’s a sweet side hustle!

Fun Facts about Megan
I grew up in the northeastern Georgia mountains and spent a significant part of my childhood riding motorcycles through the woods on old logging trails, climbing to the tops of the tallest trees, fishing in the rivers, eating squirrels, and running around barefoot all summer long. Looking back, I realize I may have been a bit feral, but to me, it felt like true living—life in the mountains, the place I call home. I often think about my time there and have a deep appreciation for growing up in such a beautiful place.

What’s something you’ve done on the farm that you are proud of?
I am proud of the landscape design I created for Carter's property. He entrusted me with the task of redesigning the area around his home, and I am eager to see it flourish over the coming years. I believe the Dodds will undoubtedly be recognized with the Yard of the Year award in their neighborhood!

What is a small thing on the farm that you are grateful for?
I'm grateful for the time I get to spend listening to the birds singing in the morning, watching spiders catch and wrap up squash bugs, and spotting the rare hummingbird moth, which is my favorite. Having the opportunity to be a part of something so much bigger than myself is truly amazing. The beauty of the earth and the way everything works together is a wonderful thing!

In your opinion, what’s the best season and why?
Spring and summer are my favorite seasons. All the flowers are in bloom, the warmth of the sun, and eating fresh watermelon right out of the field! Sooo good! There’s nothing like it! It’s when I feel most alive! Can you tell I'm excited about spring?

We’re all in the pack shed finishing up a big market harvest and you’re handed the AUX. What do you play?
Currently, I have four artists on heavy rotation, and one song that really stands out for me is "Vagabond" by Caamp. It's a pretty catchy song and it’s one I love to jam to while driving with the windows down!

What’s your Favorite Diamond Hill Farm memory?
I think some of the funniest moments this past season definitely happened in the strawberry field! Out of nowhere, strawberry wars would break out! Someone, usually Andrew, would find the grossest overripe strawberry and throw it at the closest farmer. Then all “you know what" would break loose and you better watch out for Averi’s softball arm. She will nail you every time!

What is something you want people to know about our farm?
There is so much life and love on the farm. Being surrounded by beautiful food and flowers truly makes it the greatest place to be. It’s an honor to be able to feed and bring light to so many people's lives! Good food makes for happier, healthier people!

Can’t wait to see you at this week’s CSA pickups!!
Diamond Hill Farmers

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