Dear Farm Community -

Not sure if you all have noticed, but Athens had been parched for water for some time! We didn’t quite trust that we’d see any rain with weather predictions for precipitation below 50% certainty, but as we were wrapping up field work on Thursday the sky began to darken and a breeze rolled through. We heard booms of thunder that struck faith into us that at long last, rain was about to grace us. Some of us got back to the pack shed before the skies opened up and others (shoutout to Emma who was seeding sunflowers in the furthest corner of the farm) finished up work in a beautiful, heavy, much needed downpour. There is a special kind of joy reserved for farmers witnessing a heavy rain after a dry spell - the kind of rain that makes it seem like the sky was saving up raindrops for this very special occasion. Already drenched, a handful of us celebrated the sky’s generosity by leaning into it and witnessing it all right next to our plants - just as happy as they were to know that water is what makes this all possible!

The rain was a much needed cool-down from the daily 90-degree-plus heat, too. Last week was full of labor-intensive field work like removing landscaping fabric and irrigation from fields with old plantings that had turned to weeds. With the work done last week to remove these items, we can now mow them, till them, and prep them for more summer plantings this week. This stretch of the year is some of the hardest and heaviest work we do on the farm, but it is a time where we also see the incredible abundance that comes from our labor. We are harvesting all week long to keep on top of tomatoes, cucumber, squash, peppers, and more. Our bell peppers are starting to get some color on them, so we are hoping to have more varieties available soon (though we hope you’re enjoying the early lime and purple peppers!) To give you a peek at what this abundance looks like, check out the stacks of tomatoes and watermelons that went to market this past weekend - and this wasn’t nearly all of it!

Your CSA’s this week are full of our flavorful tomatoes in two forms! You will be getting heirloom slicing tomatoes AND cherry tomatoes in your shares. At a recent farmer get-together, flower manager Alex made this incredible recipe for tomatoes dressed in toasted fennel and anchovy. It was such a deeply flavorful and satisfying dish - the kind you think about a week later and have to pester your host for the recipe.

You’ll also find some super sweet carrots in your shares this week, and we received a recipe from CSA member Anna that’s a perfect fit! Thank you to Anna for passing this along ♡ We hope you all enjoy it, and encourage you to send us your own favorites to share with this community!

Carrots and Orange Sauce
Recipe by Etta Marion Thompson, head of Rock Eagle Cafeteria for 40 years

Ingredients
1 lb carrots
1 tablespoon butter
2 tablespoons cornstarch or flour
1 cup orange juice
1/3 cup sugar
Salt to taste

Directions
Cook carrots in water until slightly tender. Combine other ingredients to make orange sauce. Drain carrots and Cover with Orange sauce.

Happy Eating & Stay Cool Out There!
Diamond Hill Farmers

peak season is here!! what are you waiting for!!

sign up for a farm box