Diana joined the U.S. Navy in 1986 and completed a four-year term of service. During her service, she was stationed at Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek in Virginia. As yeoman to the Commanding Officer and Executive Officer, she provided administrative support and managed official correspondence and records. She also served as the Classified Material Yeoman, responsible for distributing classified information to the appropriate commands across the installation. As needed, Diana supported the Public Affairs Office by assisting with base tours for visiting groups.
During her four years, Diana was frocked to E-5 and received the Navy Achievement Medal for revising the Base Standards and Organization Manual.
"While I have not been actively involved with the Farmer Veteran Coalition, it is reassuring to know the organization is available as a resource. Reviewing the newsletters and opportunities also reminds me that there is a strong community of fellow veterans who share a commitment to farming and to American agriculture."
Chill Hill Farm and Forest (Chill Hill Flowers) is a 97-acre farm in West Newfield, Maine. Diana began farming in 2020, and currently has just over one acre in production. Her focus is primarily on-cut flowers, along with perennial food crops such as berries and asparagus, and she also maintains a small orchard. Using mostly no-till practices, the focus is on soil health, reducing carbon emissions, and spreading joy — one flower at a time.
The season begins with approximately 15,000 daffodils and continues through the year, finishing with dahlias and mums. Her farm sells through farm stands, farmers markets, local stores, flower subscriptions, and special events. She is also a member of the Maine Flower Collective, which connects growers and buyers across the state of Maine.
Diana's path into agriculture was unexpected. After leaving her corporate career at age 50, she spent three years in a chaplain program at the Chaplaincy Institute of Maine. During that time, she worked and volunteered at a nearby farm in Wells, where she discovered a deep connection to farming. One day, while planting carrots with a handheld antique planter, she felt a clear sense of purpose and knew this work would be her next step.
"Becoming a flower farmer was equally unplanned: Farmer Bill offered me a few rows to plant flowers, assured me I would learn as I went, and encouraged me to say yes. Accepting that opportunity has shaped the past decade of my life."
"I value the freedoms and responsibilities that come with living and working in the United States. Stewarding this land is both a privilege and a responsibility. Each season, I am grateful to witness new growth as plants emerge, flowers bloom, and the landscape comes to life. I also value the ways this work allows me to serve others — whether by donating flowers for events that raise funds for neighbors experiencing food insecurity, or by delivering a simple arrangement that brightens the day of an elderly resident. Moments like these reinforce my commitment to community and service. When visitors come to the farm, I often see their stress ease as they experience the restorative power of nature. Creating that space for connection and well-being is an important part of our mission."
