Well… summer has settled in.

We’ve now had about a week of serious heat, and the forecast says it’s planning to stick around awhile. After one of the wettest Junes we’ve seen in years, the weather has swung to the opposite extreme. That’s farming in the Ozarks—just when you think you’ve figured it out, the forecast changes.

One of the things I enjoy about farming is watching how different plants respond to weather like this. Some crops absolutely thrive. Tomatoes, peppers, basil, okra, sweet potatoes, melons, zinnias and sunflowers seem to soak up the sunshine and heat.

Others decide this isn’t their season. Lettuce stretches upward and bolts. Spinach fades away. Cilantro races to seed. Some, rather than fighting the conditions, simply wait for cooler days to start growing again.

The longer I farm, the more I think people aren’t so different.

During this heat wave, we’ve shifted our rhythm. Harvest starts before sunrise. We take more water breaks. The heaviest work gets done early, and afternoons are reserved for lighter jobs and a swim break whenever possible. We haven’t stopped farming—we’ve just adapted to the conditions.

The same is true across the farm itself. Healthy soil holds onto precious moisture longer. Mulch keeps roots cooler. Irrigation bridges the gap when the skies stay dry. Our high tunnels, which protected crops from last month’s relentless rains, now help us manage irrigation more precisely. Every season teaches us something new.

One of the quiet lessons of farming is that resilience isn’t about resisting change. It’s about learning to respond well to it.

Thank you for making that possible. Your grocery subscription allows us to invest in healthier soil, better infrastructure, and a farm that’s prepared for whatever the Ozarks decides to throw our way next.

Help Us Grow Our Farm Family

If you’ve been enjoying your weekly grocery subscription, would you consider telling a friend?

Word of mouth has always been the biggest reason our farm continues to grow. There’s no advertisement more meaningful than someone saying, “You should give this a try.”

Here’s how it works: Have them sign up at millsapfarms.com/subscriptions and use promo code FRIEND. They’ll receive $10 off their first purchase, and you’ll receive $10 in farm credit for every friend who joins. You can spend that credit on add-ons, eggs, bread, flowers—anything in the farm shop.

To make sure you receive credit, ask them to mention your name in the “How did you hear about us?” question during signup, or simply let us know their name and we’ll take care of the rest.

Thank you for helping us grow this community, one family at a time.

Stay cool, stay hydrated, go for a swim, and we’ll see you at the farm!

—The Millsap Farms Crew

Pickling Cucumbers

If you haven’t made your own pickles before, give it a try, there are so many different recipes, and many of them are quick.