Adam's Heirlooms

Adam and Dianna Diehl’s path to agriculture began in a unique way. It all started in 2003 while the couple was living in Salt Lake City, Utah. At the time, they ran a nonprofit organization dedicated to living history, education, and reenactments. Dianna’s specialty was food history, a passion that would soon intersect with the world of farming.

 

When they bought their home in Utah, Dianna was eager to start a garden, though she couldn’t have anticipated how deeply this would shape their future.

 

One day, while reading a recipe from an 1840s cookbook, Dianna was fascinated by an unusual note: the author called for pink or purple radishes but warned against using the red variety. This small detail sparked Dianna’s interest in historical food varieties, and soon, she was determined to grow the fruits and vegetables of the past. She and Adam began researching and growing heirloom produce, which are older varieties of open-pollinated fruits and vegetables that have been passed down through generations.

 

In 2003, Adam began growing heirloom vegetables in their backyard, specializing in 18th and 19th-century varieties. What began as a small project quickly expanded as their neighbors kindly allowed them to use their yards. Soon, the Diehls were growing more heirloom vegetables than they could eat. Adam left his day job behind, and the couple founded Adam’s Heirlooms. Their urban farm grew to nine different properties, and Adam began running a CSA, attending farmers’ markets, and working with two wholesale clients.

 

Originally from Wisconsin, the Diehls moved back to be closer to family in 2016. They knew it was time to transition from urban farming to operating their own rural farm. They found the perfect property to live out their dream in Mishicot, WI, where they have since expanded their operations to raising beef, Berkshire pork, and heritage breed laying hens, in addition to their heirloom produce.

 

Though the Diehls no longer run their historical nonprofit, education remains at the heart of their work. Early on at the Green Bay Farmers Market, the Diehls found themselves selling produce that many customers had never seen before. They saw this as an opportunity to teach. Believing that when people understand the story behind the food they are buying, they can embrace it. Through this approach, the Diehls help their customers discover new foods and connect with the history and significance behind them.

 

A perfect example of this is their historically inspired value-added foods, which have recently become a large part of their business. Dianna began making a fresh pesto inspired by an ancient Roman recipe. One day at a farmers market, a woman from Sicily sampled the pesto, and after a brief pause, she closed her eyes and said it took her right back to her grandmother’s kitchen. This was a powerful reminder that food can transport us through time, bringing about memories and emotions that go far beyond taste.

 

As historians, the Diehls feel they are not only preserving biodiversity but also food history as they grow from heirloom seeds. They feel they are safeguarding the diversity of our food system while also honoring food and family traditions of the past.

 

Partnering with Seasonal Harvest has been an important part of growing their business. The Diehls say it started as an opportunity to move excess produce but grew into a vital sector of their business. They feel the mentorship they have received through Seasonal Harvest has also been an invaluable aspect of the relationship, especially as they have navigated wholesale distribution. They are grateful for the support they have received. In addition, they value the advocacy Seasonal Harvest provides for local farmers.

 

The Diehls feel supported not only by Seasonal Harvest but also by their entire local farming community. The farmers in their area work to lift each other up, sharing resources and advice. This collaboration leads to success and a sense of camaraderie for all. 

 

As Adam and Dianna look toward the future of Adam’s Heirlooms, they are excited to continue teaching and growing. They plan to add to their line of value-added, historically inspired foods and increase their presence in more shops across Eastern Wisconsin. They are most excited to expand the education branch of their farm by adding more on-farm classes in the coming year.

 

You can find Adam’s Heirlooms at the Downtown Green Bay Farmers Market, the Winter Market on Military, and online. Their Colonial shrubs are also available at Sweet Willow Wellness and Voyager Bakehouse. Don’t miss their 1850s apple butter, 1886 catsup, or fresh pesto!