Tosha Larios Beating the Heat: How Star Track Farm Stays Sustainable Through Heat Waves

At Star Track Farm, sustainability is more than just a goal—it's a way of life. But as climate change continues to intensify, we’re seeing more frequent and severe heat waves, which present serious challenges to our efforts. Extreme heat not only affects our crops but also makes sustainable farming practices more difficult to maintain.

The Heat Wave Challenge

Heat waves stress plants and soil, causing water to evaporate faster than we can replenish it. This forces us to use more water, which is counterintuitive to sustainability efforts. Additionally, the heat weakens plants, making them more susceptible to pests and disease, further straining our organic farming methods. It’s not just the plants that suffer—our livestock and farm workers are also impacted by the high temperatures.

How Star Track Farm Fights Back

At Star Track Farm, we’ve adapted our practices to combat these challenges. Here’s how we handle the heat:

1. Water Conservation Techniques: We utilize drip irrigation to minimize water loss and ensure every drop counts. This method targets the roots directly, reducing evaporation and water waste.

2. Shade Structures: Our crops, particularly those that are heat-sensitive, are protected with shade cloths. These allow for air circulation while reducing the amount of direct sunlight, giving the plants a fighting chance during heat waves.

3. Soil Health: Healthy soil retains moisture better. Through composting and crop rotation, we’ve enriched our soil to withstand drought-like conditions. Mulching helps by keeping the ground cooler and preventing moisture loss.

4. Resilient Crop Varieties: We’ve begun planting more heat-resistant crops, choosing varieties that can endure the scorching temperatures while still providing nutritious, organic produce.

5. Smart Harvesting: During extreme heat, we adjust our harvesting schedules to the cooler parts of the day, ensuring our workers and plants aren’t over-exposed to dangerous temperatures.

Why Heat Waves Make Sustainability Difficult

Sustainability is rooted in balance—preserving natural resources while maintaining productivity. However, heat waves disrupt this balance. The increased need for water, coupled with reduced crop yields, makes it harder to maintain sustainable practices. We’re forced to find ways to cool our crops and livestock without using excessive energy, and sometimes the unpredictability of weather patterns makes planning ahead difficult.

At Star Track Farm, we remain committed to sustainability, even when faced with the harshest conditions. By adapting to the realities of a changing climate, we continue to provide organic, nutrient-dense food for our community while protecting the environment.

It’s a challenge, but it’s one we’re determined to meet head-on—because farming sustainably is not just important for today, but for the future as well.