Yep, we’re heading into tomato season. July is just the beginning of these local favorites in Kentucky.

Farm News: I asked my Amish friend Ellen, who doubles as a spiritual advisor, if it was proper to pray for rain. I feared the wrath of the Almighty if this might be asking too much in light of all that’s wrong with the world. A few inches of nature’s "Miracle Grow" for the heirloom tomatoes in the garden could seem a little self-serving. But Ellen said it was okay as long as you follow the request with "Thy will be done." Well I suppose it was finally the Lord’s will this week and let’s all give a big shout out to the big guy for easing the drought.

Our friend Larry Hanks likes his corn raw, thank you very much.

Some people live for the first tomato, but for me, it’s sweet corn. Our Amish farmer friend, Lloyd Schrock goes the extra mile when it comes to corn. This spring he planted it in plastic with drip irrigation so that customers could be treated to the first Kentucky Sweet Corn in the third week of June. This is nothing short of a miracle in my book, though it’s just another example of Amish ingenuity.

Photo by Miki Duisterhof

Rhubarb Upside-Down Cake

This is today’s featured article on www.sprig.com (the Washington Post site where I’m a contributor) featuring my recipe for rhubarb cake. You should be able to find rhubarb at the farmers markets these days as well as the supermarket. I plan on making some strawberry-rhubarb jam this week. I really love the tang the rhubarb adds. This is a very easy cake to make and people absolutely love it — even those who think they don’t like rhubarb!

And it is a great cake to serve for Father’s Day. Just ask my dad.

Farm News

A heads up about possible rain on Saturday (I can dream, can’t I?). If we should be so fortunate the rain date will be Sunday, same time, same place. As a reminder, the farm stand is open from 9 am until sold out (usually noon or 1 pm).

    On June 9th a documentary film crew will be coming to the farm stand and then later filming an interview in the garden where we’ll be discussing the nonprofit farm and its mission. The film features five people doing innovative things in the sustainable arena. I’m the only farmer. It will be shown during Live Earth, hosted by Al Gore.