SunStar Herbs is a family owned and operated farm dedicated to the old idea of sustainability; producing much of our own food and medicine and trading the excess for goods or dollars to purchase whatever we cannot produce. They grow many varieties of native and naturalized herbs appropriate to our arid environment. They do this without the use of chemicals or any commercial fertilizers. Most of their products are created and processed on 40 acres due west of Madrid, New Mexico, and east of the Santo Domingo reservation. They live off the grid and down a rough five mile dirt road.
SunStar Herbs’ proprietors also have a brilliant side project called Goatscaping (landscaping with goats). The use of goat grazing in parks, cities, residences, and along roadways is an authentic alternative to chemicals, weed mowers, and fire. The benefits include improved soil health, carbon sequestration, fewer rodents, revitalized native brush, and decreased pollen allergies. The idea of Goatscaping, while not new, is becoming very popular again. Learn more at Amanita’s blog by clicking here.
View the Horned Locusts going to work!
A chat with Becky
What is a signature item that you sell? Jujubes
What’s the best way to store it / how long will it keep? Since they are dried, they can store for 2-3 years at room temp. It’s best to keep them stored in glass.
How long have you been farming? Officially started in 1994, though I had been growing a smaller herb garden and plant nursery prior to that.
How long have you been a member of the Market? Since 1996, when the market was located at Sanbusco.
Share a favorite memory of the Market. When the Market was at Sanbusco it was smaller. It was a tight knit community and an enjoyable market to participate in weekly.
How did you get into farming? I was born into it, back in Ohio where my Dad had a big farm growing potatoes, tomatoes, beans, corn and other vegetables. I left as soon as I could and took a hiatus. I met my husband in D.C. and we made our way out to New Mexico. We bought our land in 1978, and didn’t grow at scale until the early 90’s. I was growing smaller patches of herbs and had a nursery of uncommon plants like eucalyptus and fig. I had thousands of greenhouse starts, and then once we could afford it, we scaled up and planted our first Jujube trees in 1994.
Do you own or rent the land you grow on? We’ve owned it since 1978
Are you certified organic? No pesticides? Free-range? Hormone free? We used to be certified organic, but no longer have the certification. We still follow organic practices, and don’t use pesticides. Since all of our sales are direct to customer, we don’t feel we need to have the certification, since we talk to our customers right over the table. Jujube trees in this region don’t have significant pest issues, which is one more reason we love them, besides being tasty and beautiful.
How was your growing season last year? This year? Last year was pretty good, and was one of our best seasons for harvesting. We harvested 1,500 pounds of fresh fruit, and the quality was great from the slightly cooler weather.
Is this year’s crop growing on schedule? Any complications? So far it’s looking pretty good. I seeded Sweet Annie a while back and it is just now starting to come up. No chamomile has come up yet, but that could change as the season progresses.
What is your favorite dish to make? Gluten-free Squash cake with jujubes and pecans. Try the recipe!