By Nina Andres

How does one grow great tasting and prolific crops year after year on the same soil? “Feed the soil and the soil will feed the plants” is a maxim followed by Jim and Deborah Durst at Durst Organic Growers in Hungry Hollow, the entrance of the Capay Valley. Since the early 1980s, the Dursts have used farming techniques that build soil fertility while balancing wildlife and insect ecology. They plant cover crops (crops grown solely to add nutrients and build the soil), rotate the location of crops each year, and use soil amendments based on needs identified by soil tests.

Their attention to detail in all aspects of their operation have helped them build a reputation for flavor and quality. The Dursts harvest their crops in the cool morning hours, and sort and pack them right away. This can make a big difference in product quality, especially when summer afternoons reach three-digit temperatures. They also focus on creating a healthy work environment for their employees, whom they consider to be the farm’s backbone.

Durst Organic Growers specializes in asparagus, melons, watermelons, tomatoes, and winter squash. Enjoy the cantaloupe in your FarmShare today grown by the Dursts. If you have a couple of minutes, watch the tour of their farm.