Star Route Farm Tour
CUESA visited Star Route Farm in 2006.
Warren Weber talks about the farm's beginnings and shows us an aerial view of the property. Though Warren's land totals over 100 acres, only a third of the acreage is cultivated. The land also includes a perennial creek, wildlands, and housing for almost all of Star Route's farm workers.
Five different varieties of lettuce are planted in each raised bed. This way, when the lettuce is harvested, the different varieties are already mixed together!
Over the years, Star Route Farms has experimented with many varieties of lettuce. They've stuck with those that both please their customers and grow well in their soils.
Farm Manager Doug Gallagher talks about successional plantings. Since Star Route consistently supplies over 60 Bay Area restaurants with greens, new beds must be seeded every week to avoid gaps in production.
All of Star Route Farms' machinery is run on biodeisel fuel. Since most mechanical farm equipment is powered by diesel engines, it is relatively easy to replace diesel with biodiesel.
Another project underway to reduce the farm's use of fossil fuels is the installation of solar panels that will power half of the farm.
A jumbo salad spinner! After greens are rinsed and mixed, they are spun dry in this machine, quickly bagged and boxed, and stored in a walk-in refrigerator.
Star Route Farms' irrigation water comes from a creek that runs through the property. Doug and Warren recently built an irrigation pond to reduce the impact of water diversion on creek life. Water is now slowly directed into the pond throughout the day, instead of all at once. When they need to irrigate, they draw the water from the pond instead of straight from the creek.
A crop of Romaine thrives in Star Route's healthy soil. Compost made from chicken manure is regularly added Star Route's soil to enhance fertility. In order to comply with organic standards, the farm must compost the manure before applying it to the field; they turn the compost at least five times and document the temperature at each turning.
We thank Doug and Warren for being wonderful hosts, taking such good care of their land and workers, and producing delicious food!
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CUESA (Center for Urban Education about Sustainable Agriculture) is dedicated to growing thriving communities through the power and joy of local food. Learn More »