Dear Farm Community -

Most of us at the farm didn’t think of ourselves as athletes until, well… last week. After an awesome farmer wellness workshop with Cynthia Flores of Labor-Movement last Monday, we are officially changing our tune.

Cynthia is a former farmer and current movement educator who is out here changing the whole conversation around farmer wellness. A crew of our farmers (plus our pal Paula from Peach House Farm, shoutout!) had the distinct pleasure of learning from her this week, and she made some pretty undeniable points: farmers do everything athletes do. We lift heavy things. We haul. We squat. We twist. We endure long days, repetitive motions, all sorts of weather, and beyond that, a season that never really ends. We are strength athletes. We are endurance athletes. We are athletes in overalls. That’s kind of their tagline, and honestly it tracks.

Over two very enlightening hours, we covered everything from eating like athletes (hint: we all need more protein and water) to lifting heavy crates (we’re not lifting anymore, we’re “pushing the ground away!”), moving through repetitive tasks, and using our tools in ways that are kinder to our bodies. Farming is hard physical work, and Cynthia gave us practical ways to move with more awareness, more strength, and have a deeper conversation with our bodies.

Because the reality is, farming asks us every day to understand the difference between discomfort and pain. Discomfort is part of the game. This is hard work. But pain can lead to injury, and the line between the two is deeply personal. Through movement training and honest conversation around self-care, we left better equipped to use our bodies in healthier, more effective ways, and hopefully stay farmin’ for years to come.

It was such a valuable workshop, and we were honored to be Cynthia’s first stop on an epic multi-month road trip around the Southeast educating farmers! If you’re interested in learning more about Labor-Movement or supporting their work, head to their Instagram page @labor_movement_ or visit labor-movement.com. For you gardeners out there, their Instagram is worth a deep dive! They share lots of helpful movement tips, and if you poke around, you just might learn a thing or two to keep your own body happier, too.

This week in your CSA we’re packing you the spectacular technicolor RAINBOW CHARD! Chard is an earthy, flavorful green that cooks down beautifully and can be used a lot like spinach or kale. The stems are edible too, and they’re great chopped up and cooked with the leafy parts. If you’re up for a little kitchen project, chard ravioli is a worthwhile use of your bunch. For something much simpler, chard makes an excellent sauteed side dish with garlic, olive oil, salt, and a squeeze of lemon. This recipe also works great as breakfast greens ~ just throw a fried egg on top and call it a good start to the day. You can try a Baked Chard Salad with Chickpeas and Cranberries for something hearty and a little sweet-savory, or go the pseudo-greek route with Chard Leaves Stuffed with Rice and Herbs. It’s giving farmer dolmas. Chard is one of those greens that can be very humble or very fancy depending on what kind of cooking mood you’re in. Hope you find just exactly how you love it!!

Acclimating to the Summer Heat….
Diamond Hill Farmers

!! YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT !!

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