Meet Our Farms
Our Organic Farm Co-Op
Earthstar Farms began in 1987 when David Tresemer purchased land in the foothills above Boulder, Colorado and began stewarding it with organic farming practices. The land had been cultivated since the early 1900s and was home to many native and non-native medicinal plants, including St. John’s Wort, mullein, artemisia, and yarrow.
Over time, neighboring growers joined in caring for the land, forming what is now Earthstar Farms—a collective of four small certified organic farms working together to cultivate medicinal herbs. Today Wildcat Gardens, Earthstar Farm, Wildstar Farm, and Starlight Caravan steward more than 150 acres of mountain meadow, forest, and cultivated gardens.
Together we grow organic medicinal herbs, wildcraft abundant plants, and invite people to reconnect with the wisdom of planets and plants through land, learning, and community.
This land lies within the traditional territories of the Ute, Arapaho (Hinono'eino), and Cheyenne peoples, who lived with and stewarded these lands long before European settlement. We honor their enduring relationship with this place and acknowledge the generations of care, knowledge, and presence that continue to shape the spirit of the land. In tending these gardens today, we strive to steward the land with humility, respect, and a commitment to regenerative practices that support the health of the ecosystem and all who live here.
Check out the farms that make up our Organic Herb Growing Cooperative below.
Earthstar Farm
Earthstar Farm is the original land from which the Earthstar Farms story grew—a landscape of mountain meadow, forest, and cultivated gardens in the foothills above Boulder, Colorado. Today the land supports the cultivation and wild harvesting of organic medicinal herbs that are grown, dried, and shared with local herbalists and the surrounding community.
The contiguous properties were purchased by David Tresemer in 1987, though the land has a much longer history of stewardship. Gilbert and Anne White cared for the properties beginning in 1958, and a nearby trail is named in honor of Anne U. White. Portions of the land had been farmed since the 1920s, producing dry peas, potatoes, and alfalfa hay.
Gilbert White, a professor of Geography at the University of Colorado Boulder and a pioneer in the study of water hazards management, documented a dramatic landslide on the property following an intense localized rainstorm. The mudslide moved large amounts of topsoil into an area that today supports thriving gardens and organic herb cultivation.
After purchasing the properties, David began implementing organic farming practices, and in 1990 the properties became USDA Certified Organic. Botanist Debra St. Claire helped identify the native medicinal plants growing on the property, including St. John’s wort, Oregon grape root, yucca, yarrow and mullein. Many of these plants—including St. John’s wort, mullein, and other mountain herbs—continue to thrive on the land and remain an important part of the farm’s herbal harvests today.
Over the years David continued stewarding the land through forest management, removing over 5,000 trees, terracing garden areas, cultivating native plants from seed, and shaping the landscape to support water retention and healthy ecosystems. Biodynamic practices were introduced early and continue to guide the farm today.
Many volunteers, gardeners, and apprentices have contributed their time and care to the land over the years, helping shape the gardens and leaving lasting imprints on the farm’s evolution. Today the land is lovingly tended by Amanda Rose Klenner, Clinical Herbalist, Herbal Educator, Permaculture Landscape Designer, and Master Gardener. Amanda Rose brings deep reverence, care, and ceremonial awareness to the stewardship of the gardens, working alongside gardeners, volunteers, students, and fellow stewards who continue to nurture the vitality and spirit of the land.
Several sacred structures have also been built on the land, including The StarHouse. These spaces support a deeper connection between people and nature and contribute to the vitality of the landscape and the work that takes place there.
David Tresemer passed away in 2024, leaving behind a legacy of thoughtful land stewardship and community connection that continues to shape the farm today.
Today the original Earthstar Farm land continues to grow organic medicinal herbs while serving as a place where people gather to learn about herbal medicine, ecological stewardship, and the living wisdom of planets and plants.
Click here to see Earth Star Farm’s upcoming events and classes.
Wildcat Gardens
Established in 2004, Wildcat Gardens was the vision of Aria Seidl, a passionate gardener who, together with her partner Ben Levi, co-created the farm. Over the years they carefully shaped the land into a thriving organic garden through thoughtful design and stewardship.
Terraced garden beds wind across the property, supporting a wide variety of medicinal and culinary herbs, including extensive plantings of lavender. The farm also includes a greenhouse, a solar-powered herb drying shed, a pond and spillway, and xeriscape growing areas designed to thrive in the mountain climate. In addition to herbs, Wildcat Gardens features a small orchard, berry patches, and a large vegetable garden.
Aria served for many years as the primary organic gardener at Wildcat Gardens and was one of the creative forces behind the development of many Earthstar Farms herbal products. Ben Levi brought his expertise as a local IT specialist to support the broader operations of Earthstar Farms, designing the farm-wide accounting system, product labels, and a comprehensive database used to manage the many details involved in operating a certified organic farm with multiple growers. Ben also designed and maintains the sustainable systems at his Wildcat residence, including a 4.2 kW solar array, solar hot water panels, and rainwater storage and monitoring systems.
After many years of tending the gardens, Aria returned to her homeland of New Zealand, leaving behind a thriving landscape that continues to flourish.
Today Wildcat Gardens is managed by Amanda Rose Klenner, Clinical Herbalist, Herbal Educator, Permaculture Landscape Designer, and Master Gardener. The gardens are lovingly cared for by Amanda Rose together with Leo, Dayna, and a community of volunteers, students, and stewards of the land who continue to nurture the herbs and the vitality of the farm.
Wildcat Gardens has grown steadily over the years with the help of friends, interns, and occasional WWOOF volunteers. Educational workshops and farm tours continue to welcome visitors to experience the gardens and learn about organic growing, medicinal herbs, and regenerative land stewardship.
Wildstar Farm
Wildstar Farm was established in 2008 when Mark Cronshaw purchased the 1.6-acre property from David Tresemer. The property includes a large terraced organic garden that had previously been developed and planted by tenants of David Tresemer and was known as the Lower Garden.
After taking stewardship of the land, Mark renamed the property Wildstar Farm and continued cultivating it as one of the certified organic farms that make up Earthstar Farms.
The garden is fenced and irrigated and enjoys a magnificent southern exposure, creating an ideal environment for growing medicinal herbs and flowers.
Wildstar Farm also includes a small orchard with cherry, apple, and plum trees, along with plantings of raspberries and blackcurrants. In addition to medicinal herbs, Mark enjoys growing cutting flowers and winter squash, which he shares with neighbors and the local community.
Over the years the farm has also served as a small community garden, where neighbors have tended garden plots and grown a variety of vegetables and flowers. The space continues to offer opportunities for community members to connect with the land and participate in the cultivation of healthy food and medicinal plants.
Wildstar Farm remains a beautiful and productive garden space where herbs, flowers, and food are grown with care and shared within the surrounding community.
Starlight Caravan
Starlight Caravan is stewarded by Timothy and Vera Dobson and encompasses approximately 10 acres of mountain forest, meadow, and cultivated gardens. One of the four farms that make up Earthstar Farms, the property includes a geodesic dome greenhouse as well as the Dobsons’ log cabin home.
Timothy and Vera have cared for this certified organic land for more than fifteen years, cultivating medicinal herbs while tending the surrounding forest and meadow ecosystems. The gardens at Starlight Caravan specialize in growing passion flower, one of Earthstar Farms’ most beloved and widely used herbs.
Vera manages the organic gardens, harvests wildcrafted herbs, and crafts many of the beautiful smudge sticks offered through Earthstar Farms. Her work combines careful gardening with traditional herbal craftsmanship.
Timothy has long been involved in the life of The StarHouse, serving as a minister and as a leader of the Dances of Universal Peace. Together, Timothy and Vera bring a spirit of care, devotion, and community to their stewardship of the land.
In addition to their work with the gardens and herbs, Timothy and Vera also raise Siberian Neva Masquerade cats, adding another unique and lively presence to the life of the farm.
Visit the Farms • Learn With Us
Earthstar Farms is more than a place where medicinal herbs are grown—it is also a place of learning, community, and connection with the land.
Throughout the growing season we welcome visitors to experience the gardens, learn about medicinal plants, and deepen their relationship with the natural world. Workshops, herb walks, seasonal celebrations, and hands-on classes offer opportunities to explore herbal medicine, regenerative gardening practices, and the living wisdom of plants.
From the vibrant blooms of calendula and lavender in summer to the abundant mountain meadows filled with wild herbs, each season brings new experiences and opportunities to learn from the land.
Whether you are a student of herbal medicine, a gardener, or simply someone who loves plants and nature, we invite you to join us in cultivating a deeper connection with the earth.
For upcoming workshops, events, and farm offerings, visit our Events page or sign up for our newsletter.