Satur Farms, owned by chef Eberhard Müller and his wife Paulette Satur, is dedicated to growing the finest vegetables and culinary ingredients. It began when they purchased their original farm on the North Fork of Long Island in 1997, with the intention of growing some vegetables and herbs for Chef Müller's restaurant. Colleagues in New York City asked if they might be able to buy their produce, and the farm as a business became a reality.
Paulette Satur grew up on her family farm in central Pennsylvania, studied Horticulture at The Pennsylvania State University and was awarded a graduate degree in Plant Physiology from The University of Arizona. After twelve successful years in the wine business in NYC, she returned to her love of the land when she and Eberhard purchased their farm. At the same time, they've become an agricultural force and economic driver on Long Island, leading the governor to have chosen Paulette to sit on his economic development council.
Eberhard Müller arrived in this country from the Black Forest of Germany, after having worked for three years in Paris with Alain Senderens at the three-star Michelin restaurant L'Archestrate. He shot to fame when he opened Le Bernardin with Gilbert LeCoze and was awarded four-stars from The New York Times. He later became Chef of Lutece after Andre Soltner's retirement, was subsequently Executive Chef at Bayard's in downtown Manhattan; however, he is now at the farm full-time. After thirty years in restaurant kitchens, he has taken on a new challenge of growing produce and supplying other chefs with the raw ingredients that he found difficult to procure at a freshness level meeting his exacting standards.
Satur Farms Mission and Statement on Social Responsibility
Satur Farms grows specialty salads, leafy vegetables, heirloom tomatoes, root vegetables, and herbs. We are committed to sustainable farming, not only in relation to our fields and the safe production of our vegetables, but also ensuring our employees continuing and livable wages.
Satur Farms adheres to sound agricultural practices with a focus on respect for the soil. We practice crop rotations, so that the same family of vegetable is not planted in the same field block during the growing season. This helps minimize disease occurrence and feeds the soil. We have taken over tired farmland and mineralized the soil, which balances the CEC ratio allowing for the growth of healthy plants that are less susceptible to disease. We also plant cover crops, using custom seed blends of clover, legumes, and grasses, which binds nitrogen and prevents toxic runoff, deters erosion from wind and rain, and makes beautiful 'green manure' that is tilled down to enrich the soil and its microbiological activity. Organically- approved sprays are used whenever possible. Our concern for the environment continues with our packaging materials, which are 100% recyclable when achievable.
A farm is sustainable only when it is profitable. To create continual revenues and to offer year-round employment to our team, we began farming in Florida in the winter months. Additionally, we represent our neighbors' farm products during our growing season; occasionally we might source from other growers beyond our region. Sourcing is done only to ensure the sustainability and viability of the farm. The company's social responsibilities continue beyond our fence line, as we donate to food rescue organizations and are involved in local fundraisers for farm organizations and other socially responsible causes.