SM26 (WK6): Who’s In Blooms Pt. 2!
Dear Farm Community,
Holy moly this heat wave has been a reaaaal doooooozy ~ We’ve been doing our best to handle the heat with starting earlier (6:30am!!), taking lots of water breaks, spending our peak heat index afternoon hours processing crops in the shade, or our walk-in coolers, and even cutting out early if the heat reaches a real danger zone.
We’re so grateful to everyone at CSA pickup and the markets recently who have taken the time to share appreciation for what we do. Farming is truly an all-weather job, and some days we really do feel like the luckiest people in the world, working in 70 degree weather under sunny skies with a life-giving breeze. But recently its been more like….. slogging around in 100+ degree heat index with zero suggestion of a breeze and an absolutely relentless sun, feeling like we’re walking around in a boiling pot of soup going a little crazy crazy. Days like these we’re loudly repeating farming affirmations “I LOVE MY JOB, I LOVE MY JOB, I LOVE MY JOB” and the truth is… We do!!!!!!! Even when the going gets HOT
This week we’re happy to keep sharing all about our freaking awesome badass crew. Y’all get the distinct pleasure of getting to know CASEY in todays newsletter! Read on to meet our beloved floral wholesale manager :~)
What is your role on the farm?
I am part of the flower team at Diamond Hill Farm, and I have recently taken on the role of wholesale lead. With the help of everyone on the farm, I get all of our wholesale clients and florist besties the flowers of their dreams. You’ll find me in the fields some days ~ harvesting, weeding, transplanting, and problem solving. Other days I’ll be down by the pack shed shuffling through buckets for the best stems :-)
Casey’s Farming Journey
I’ve been at Diamond Hill since Spring 2025, this is my first ever farming journey and I am so grateful that is the case. In the midst of a transitional phase of life, I found the farm after holding out for something that I would truly see myself loving to be a part of. I was a house painter in a previous life, so I am no stranger to working with my hands!
What makes you passionate about organic farming?
The list goes on… We’ve all seen the documentaries. I think one of the biggest reasons this work feels so worthwhile to me is the community that grows from it. I have always cherished community, and it warms my heart to be part of something bigger than myself that holds that sentiment close.
What is something you’ve done on the farm that you’re proud of?
I love color and design, and creating bouquets that make it into so many homes across the state makes me very proud. Being able to play with so many beautiful flowers and scratch that creative itch is very rewarding.
Fun Fact about Casey!!!
There’s a thumbnail on HBO Max with my face on it ;)
What is a small thing on the farm that you are grateful for?
I love it when Bekah finds a jumping spider and rescues him from drowning in a bucket of flowers. I’m also a sucker for the early morning fog and sunrises at the farm.
What is your favorite crop to eat?
Snap peas have my heart, but I hear the melons calling my name this time of year.
If you were something on the farm what would you be and why?
I asked my coworkers and one of them said I was a white cosmos and one of them said I was a broadfork….
What do you think about when you’re harvesting?
“(REDACTED)”
What is your favorite season and why?
A Georgia spring is never as long as any of us would like it to be, but it will always be the best (iykyk)
We’re all in the pack shed finishing up a big harvest and you’re in charge of music! What do you play?
Sea of Love by the Honeydrippers!
How do you pass time weeding with other farmers?
By far the best is when you’re with someone and the vibe just clicks and you’re both cracking each other up to the point of tears/an ab workout
What is your favorite thing about Diamond Hill Farm?
The people! There are so many types of people and personalities on the farm, and I have connected with so many cuties who will always hold a special place in my heart. Second fav is Chicken the farm cat.
We hope you enjoyed getting to know Casey a little better this week! We’re so excited to keep sharing more from our crew in the coming weeks. The DHF team is truly something special, and we want y’all to love them as much as we do. As Casey said, the people here really are the best. We couldn’t agree more
Ok y’all, we’re servin’ up some OKRA this week! A quintessential Southern summer staple, okra can be divisive, but only because it’s often misunderstood. If you’re an okra lover, rejoice! If you’re an okra skeptic, keep an open mind and you just might turn a corner once you get cookin’ with your share.
The biggest grievance about okra is the ~s l i m e~. Personally, big fan of the slime over here. But for those who aren’t, try cooking okra in ways that dry it out a bit, like roasting in the oven or throwing it on the grill. Another way to temper the slime is to cook it into a stew or sauce. Famously, okra is essential in gumbo (for a delish veg version, click HERE!), and it also shines in bhindi masala, where it’s cooked with tomato, spices, and plenty of flavor until the texture turns rich and downright delicious. If you’re feeling bold, try munching on a raw okra pod! It’s a farmer fave to eat it banana-style in the fields ~ DELISH! So whether you’re frying, roasting, stewing, saucing, or munching, we hope this week’s okra brings a little Southern summer goodness to your table.
Sweatin!!!!!!!
Diamond Hill Farmers
one part magic, one part community, two parts yummy:
standard share: okra, potatoes, basil, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, tomatoes
large share: okra x2, potatoes, basil, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, tomatoes, carrots