We offer high-quality seasonal fruits and vegetables for wholesale and delivery throughout the year in addition to a CSA. Astarte Farm is one of the valley's first 100 percent no-till commercial growers with a strong emphasis on creating pollinator/predator habitats. Tilling is the process of turning the soil prior to planting which is used in conventional farming to control weeds and prepare the
ground for planting or seeding. According to the USDA, "intensive soil tillage can increase the likelihood of soil erosion, nutrient runoff into nearby waterways, and the release of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. A reduction in how often or how intensively cropland is tilled enables the soil to retain more organic matter, which leaves the soil less susceptible to wind and water erosion and helps store, or 'sequester,' carbon." No-till focuses on restoring organic matter and biodiversity to the soil. Increased biodiversity means a more balanced ecosystem that provides a habitat for beneficial insects, earthworms, and mycelium. By not disturbing the soil, complex root systems are left intact that act as breeding grounds for fungi and other organisms. Encouraging biodiversity allows for a more complex soil composition that is resistant to extreme weather. No-till soil retains moisture during times of drought and absorbs water during times of flood, making it more resilient to climate change.
