W25 (W1): Kicking Off CSA 2025!
Dear Farm Community -
Ahhh the beauty of Georgia winters - cold enough to feel like winter but warm enough for still so much nourishing food to grow from our soils. This will be our third year doing our own CSA program and the FIRST offering a full winter session! We’re excited to share with you the miracle of this winter bounty and all the ways to make use of it. For all newcomers heading into this first week, please be sure you know your pickup day and details! Your pickup day was selected when you signed up for your share and specifics for getting to our stand were included in your confirmation email - if you are uncertain of your pickup day, you can reach out to us by responding to this email and we will be happy to help! Every week the contents of your share can be found at the bottom of the Monday newsletter (check out this week’s below!) Occasionally throughout the year farming and nature just ~happen~ and we must switch out an item last-minute as our harvests dictate, but for the most part what you see written below is what you can expect to find in your share at pickup!
We’re so looking forward to starting this year off with great veggies and in high spirits. In your shares this week you’ll find some of our sweetest winter carrots. Did you know that cold weather makes carrots sweeter? When temperatures drop, carrots convert some of their stored starches into sugars as a defense mechanism against freezing, resulting in a sweeter taste. Take advantage of the incredible flavor of these winter sweetened carrots with this Alison Roman recipe for Garlicky Buttered Carrots that’s sure to warm you up. And I cannot recommend this Bon Apetit recipe enough…. One-Skillet Roasted Sesame Chicken Thighs - roasted on a bed of tender carrots. The cooking process for that recipe leaves your carrots soft inside, yet crispy around the edges - caramelized to perfection and steeped in the flavorful juices of those chicken thighs. CHEFS KISS!
Typically our recipe recommendations every week focus on one or two items in your share…. however, if you’re ever in need of inspiration for those other items you’ve brought home with you, PLEASE check out the trove of recipes on our website. Just click “Recipes” in the header and browse by vegetable!
Looking forward to an incredible and unbelievably delicious year ahead!! If you’re not yet on board remember that you can sign up for our weekly-pay option at any time throughout the year. Our discounted Three Season and Full Spring Season options will be up and available for sign-up until March 2nd. Check out all the options below:
In other news, we're thrilled to keep spreading the love for our amazing farm crew! If you're a fan of Diamond Hill Farm's fantastic team, keep reading to meet our resident tractor whiz, court jester, irrigation master supreme, karaoke star, and all-around gem. It’s Farmer Anna!
Know Your Farmer:
Megan
What is your role on the farm?
I am a veggie farm manager and lead farmer at our Beaverdam Rd location. My primary focus is working in the fields, which entails delegating tasks to our other veggie farmers and tending to all the details to ensure that the farm is running smoothly. Some of the field work I do includes, tractor work, overseeing irrigation, flipping/planting crops, and harvesting. There's also a running joke that I'm the head of HR, however my services have yet to be utilized...
Please share your farming journey!
I have been with Diamond Hill Farm for over 3 years now. I've always enjoyed the outdoors, and often expressed an interest to work outside. My introduction to farming was working with horses in high school and college. While I'm still very much a horse girl, I was very curious about exploring other types of farming opportunities. I moved to Athens with farming in mind, after hearing about the amount of opportunities there were. I didn't know much about the farm when I applied, and had no experience working with produce, so I felt like I was taking a bit of a risk in applying. But I'm very happy that it worked out!
What do you like to do when you're not at the farm?
I love to cook & entertain for friends, getting outside to hike or rock climb, going to coffee shops and thrift/antique stores! I love singing & dancing with friends, and playing a lot of Zelda.
Fun Facts about Anna
I can juggle, and I was a middle school DJ for a spell.
What’s something you’ve done on the farm that you are proud of?
I'm really proud of how far I've come with my role on the farm. Looking back to when I first started at DHF, I felt very anxious about my job. Between dealing with some intense health issues and just feeling overall inexperienced; I felt very incapable. However, I am beyond grateful for the encouragement and support I received from my friends and co-workers that led me to feel more confident and capable in my role as a new farmer. Fast forward to this year, moving into a managerial position, in the midst of yet another personally challenging period in my life, proved to be incredibly difficult and felt impossible at times. Reflecting back on the year now, I honestly couldn't be prouder of myself and the things I've accomplished. I feel like I've confidently grown into my position, I'm equipped to handle many more tasks, and I so dearly love everyone I work with. This year was not short of its frustrations and growing pains, however looking back, I feel incredibly grateful and so so proud.
What’s your favorite crop to grow?
I could never pick just one... but I'd say my top favorites are celery, ginger and cauliflower.
What’s your favorite crop to eat?
I'm always munching on carrots or sugar snap peas when harvesting, alternatively on the sweeter side, I can't get enough of our strawberries and blueberries.
Editor’s note: you’ll find carrots in abundance in our winter shares and our Spring CSA members get priority strawberries!
What is a small thing on the farm that you are grateful for?
I'm grateful for working in an environment that allows me to easily regulate my nervous system. Being outside provides the perfect space to stretch, have sky time, and do breathing exercises, either with each other, or alone. But also, of course, encountering copious amounts of frogs.
If you were a vegetable what would you be and why?
It's been tossed around that I emit fennel vibes. However, I am not 100% convinced. I believe I'm still searching for my veggie soul-mate, and I am open to input.
What do you think about when you’re harvesting?
One of my favorite things to do is listen to podcasts while harvesting. I'm especially interested in topics about culture, society, history, psychology, and health.... which provides me ample material to reflect on.
In your opinion, what’s the best season and why?
Each season provides its ups and downs, but I like spring and fall the best. In the wintertime, we get a bit of a break with less produce coming in, which is nice for a bit, but I tend to get restless. And the summertime is always just a blur of heat and never ending work. However fall and spring are both significantly more enjoyable temperature-wise, and provide a bit more space to appreciate the color and life of the farm.
What’s your favorite way to pass time weeding with other farmers?
Weeding tends to provide the perfect opportunity for what we call "farm therapy," where we can catch up with each other or open up about something we need to vent about or process. The games "would you rather" and "mind meld" are also big hits.
What are your aspirations at the farm?
I am constantly striving to improve in my work and gain more skills and experience. In addition to this, especially now that I play a part in leading our team, I am very passionate about having a harmonious and supportive crew. This job has so many moving parts, and it's so important that we maintain good communication and support for one another. I'm pleased to say we have been able to and continue to maintain that, and I am forever grateful for what each member of the team brings to the table. Everyone is very receptive to instruction and can balance both teamwork and independent work exceedingly well.
We’re all in the pack shed finishing up a big market harvest and you’re handed the AUX. What do you play?
Beyonce gives me life when we're in the home stretch of a busy Friday.
What’s your Favorite Diamond Hill Farm memory?
I can't think of one in particular, but so many of my fondest memories are from our staff farm parties. Between karaoke, bonfires, camping, dancing, eating and a myriad of shenanigans... our group really knows how to party.
Can’t wait to see you at this week’s CSA pickups!!
Diamond Hill Farmers
sign up today to get in on next week’s share!
standard share: carrots, bok choy, parsley OR cilantro, celery, head lettuce, arugula OR spicy mix
large share: carrots x2, bok choy, parsley OR cilantro, celery, head lettuce, arugula OR spicy mix, collard greens (happy new year!)