If you’re looking for a vegetable at the farmers market – and who isn’t? – there’s a decent chance you’ll find it at D&S Farms.
The fifth-generation family farm in the Breen area south of Hesperus has traditionally grown hay, alfalfa and oats, said Kristin Slade, representing the farm at the Durango Farmers Market. But the farm is now in its second year growing vegetables – and exploring different ways of growing them.
Growing hydroponics was a big step in adding vegetables such as Swiss chard, cucumbers and tomatoes to the mix of what the farm grows, said Joe Slade, also with the farm.
Most of the plants, though, still come from the ground, Kristin said.
“Everything is organic,” she said. “We do all organic farm practices with it – and we love it.”
Early in the season, the farm sells starts at the market, and the moves into fresh vegetables as the year progresses. Those vegetables include lettuce blends, kale, Swiss chard, green beans, radishes, onions, peppers, spinach, tomatoes and squash and pumpkins in the fall, she said. The farm has also started toi incorporate flowers and herbs.
“The whole nine yards,” Kristin said. “From March until October, we’ve got stuff in the ground. ... We kind of do a wide range of all of it.”
ngonzales@durangoherald.com
