Growing Solutions Compost Tea Blog

Michael Alms and Bryan Ollier at Eco Expo Asia 2012

The latest innovations in environmental protection industries were recently showcased at Eco Expo Asia, including Growing Solutions Compost Tea Systems. President Michael Alms traveled to Hong Kong at the end of October for this four-day international trading fair where Growing Solutions participated in the U.S. pavilion. “This was an excellent opportunity to meet with many of our current global partners and to cultivate new contacts and relationships,” he explained.

Business Development Manager for Asia Bryan Ollier and Michael met with Stephen Young, Consul General of the United States of America in Hong Kong, and his team prior to the opening of the fair. The U.S. Commercial Service is our government’s international trade promotion agency and one of three groups sponsoring Growing Solution’s participation in Eco Expo Asia.

Attendees from Hong Kong, China, Australia, Malaysia, UK, Poland, Finland, USA, Mexico, India, Japan and Korea visited the Growing Solutions stand at the event. “Everyone has been intrigued and interested in how they can implement our technology within their sector, especially mainland China,” Michael explained.

Michael explains the Compost Tea System10 to an attendee.

Safe organic food production is a major concern for the Chinese government in addition to industrial corporate social and environmental responsibility. “Growing Solutions is clearly a good fit given these concerns, as our process provides value added products, not simply a reduction of negative impacts,” Bryan noted.

Growing Solutions was one of 18 exhibitors from the U.S. and one of 112 exhibitors from outside Honk Kong (total exhibitors: 271). Organized by the HKTDC and Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd., the fair drew 11,550 trade and 2,559 public attendees from around the globe: Asia, Europe, North America, Australia and the Pacific Islands, the Middle East, Central and South America, and Africa.

“This was one of our best endeavors to date for reaching new global markets,” Michael said. “And we could not have made this kind of impact without the help of Business Oregon and the Green Export Enabler Program (GEEP).”

Growing Solutions was prominently featured in two major Sunday newspapers (Hong Kong and China).

We’re proud to announce that our Compost Tea Catalyst recently received an OMRI Listed® Certificate. The Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) is known worldwide for its independent review of products and materials for use in certified organic production, handling, and processing. OMRI evaluates all ingredients and processes involved in the manufacturing of any product submitted for review. The OMRI Listed label is recognized as a seal of confidence that a product has undergone a thorough review to ensure compatibility with the standards of the USDA National Organic Program.

“The review process is quite rigorous,” explained Growing Solutions President Michael Alms. “With the OMRI Listed seal, our Catalyst will be recognized internationally for use in certified organic production.”

Growing Solutions’ Compost Tea Catalyst is a unique blend of ingredients formulated to stimulate diverse microbial growth during aerated compost tea production without the use of simple sugars. In addition to seaweed extract and mineral powder, our Catalyst contains an array of select botanical ingredients.

Ideal for use in any compost tea system, the easy-to-use powder is available in four convenient sizes and bulk quantities (call 541-343-8727 for more information on available bulk sizes).

Richard Slye (left) and Michael Alms with UCSC's new Compost Tea System25.

Acknowledging one’s roots is something many of us recognize as our careers begin to mature. Giving back to the fertile fields of learning can be as simple as writing a check, or as specific as donating a 25 gallon Compost Tea System. To Richard Slye and his wife Tanya, the latter was the perfect way to express their gratitude for their time spent as Farm and Garden apprentices at the University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC). For Growing Solutions President Michael Alms, it is a “pay it forward” gesture.

UCSC’s Center for Acroecology & Sustainable Food Systems (CASFS) is dedicated to increasing ecological sustainability and social justice in the food and agriculture system. On the UCSC campus, the Center operates the two-acre Alan Chadwick Garden and the 25-acre Farm. Both sites are managed using organic production methods and serve as research, teaching and training facilities for students, staff and faculty. “My students,” Garden Manager Christof Bernau explained, “are always asking about practical tools and techniques to promote plant health that they can produce on farm/in garden, and compost tea is a clear example of how to exponentially benefit from something already part of the farm and soil fertility management system.”

The CASFS program has graduated 40 students each year for the last 40 years. Eight of the 40 make the cut each year for their role in the second year as staff for the incoming students. Richard and Tanya, both first and second year apprentices in the program between 1998 and 2000, met at CASFS, graduated and went on to manage some of the finest agricultural properties in California over the last 12 years. “To say that the apprenticeship was the single most important part of my career would be an understatement,” Richard explained. “The beautiful, productive farm is much more than a career builder alone. Its energy is the product of more than 40 years of training people to be responsible thoughtful stewards of our planet. That collective soul permeates the farm and influences all its activity. It is something to experience, if only for a day.”

The Farm's Crop Planner

The day that Richard and Michael delivered, set up and demonstrated the Growing Solutions Compost Tea System25 on the UCSC campus sparked new energy in Madeleine Morley, a second year apprentice overseeing the fledgling compost tea program. “Maddie was thrilled to learn from both of you and share some of her experiences so far. She’s very motivated and focused on making compost tea a regular part of our fertility, pest and disease and plant health management repertoire,” Christof noted. Growing Solutions has worked with a number of CASFS graduates currently in the industry, many on the cutting edge of sustainable practices. “The quality and discipline the CASFS experience offers is evident, having worked with a number of talented graduates from this program,” Michael said. “We want to support future students who can gain hands-on knowledge working with compost tea, and carry it forward into the industry.”

Vegetable field at the Farm

The joint donation of the System25 from the Slyes and Growing Solutions becomes part of an exceptional endeavor with a longstanding history. “This donation was the perfect opportunity for Tanya and I to help facilitate the Farm and Garden’s desire to incorporate compost tea into their curriculum,” Richard said.  “This machine, in the hands of 40 different apprentices each year, will surely create its own collective knowledge about compost tea.” Christof agreed, saying “this new knowledge and tool will be incredibly useful in training the next generation of farmers, gardeners and agricultural educators. I am really looking forward to seeing it all unfold.”

Growing Solutions President Michael Alms reports in from Austin, TX

“The Soil and Water Connection, the 20th Annual US Composting Council Conference theme, certainly brought Compost Tea to mind as a cost effective tool to support water holding capacity in soil,” Growing Solutions President and USCC member Michael Alms commented  while in Austin, TX. (We’ll go deeper into the subject of water holding capacity and Compost Tea in future posts.)

In other Council news, new Executive Director Michael Virga gave an excellent plenary speech outlining many new directions for USCC. Virga announced the relocation of USCC headquarters to Bethesda, MD in April 2012, allowing a more strategic proximity to Capitol Hill and key decision makers that will lift compost awareness on a national level.

“Presenters and attendees discussed establishing vermicompost as a distinct and viable new frontier,” Michael noted as the conference ended. ”Growing Solutions is looking forward to new projects implementing the use of vermicompost and Compost Tea throughout Mexico in 2012 with a new strategic partnership,” he added.

Chronicling more than two decades of growth and changes in earthworm composting technology, Clive A. Edwards, Norman Q. Arancon and Rhonda L. Sherman co-edited  Vermiculture Technology: Earthworms, Organic Wastes, and Environmental Management, a 623-page international, comprehensive, and definitive work on how earthworms and microorganisms interact to break down organic wastes on a commercial basis. Published by CRC Press, the book includes research from scientists around the world, exploring the dramatic growth and change in vermiculture technology since 1988.

The use of vermicompost tea is detailed in Chapter 11, The Production of Vermicompost Aqueous Solutions or Teas, written by Cindy Salter and Dr. Edwards. Cindy, a long-time advocate of composting and compost tea, has worked with Growing Solutions and is currently with Seeds of Change at its Oregon production farm. Growing Solutions’ Compost Tea Systems using Fine Bubble Diffusion technology are shown in the book as an example of aerated compost tea production. Cindy’s contribution to the book is in part due to her work with Mary Appelhof, to whom the book is dedicated. Cindy recalled, “Mary was partly responsible for my introduction to compost tea in 1999. She inspired many of us to dig into this field and share her enthusiasm for worms and their ‘micro-brethren.’”

Seeds of Change Director of Seed Production Joel Reiten has wormed his way through all 623 pages, and declared the book an enjoyable read. “This is the most comprehensive, first of its kind compilation of real science with tremendous value for the growing vermicompost and vermicompost tea industry. Commercial growers are eager for this kind of data in order to justify incorporating vermicompost and vermicompost tea into their acreages,” Joel explained.

Vermicompost Technology is available through CRC Press in hardcover and eBook, and in hardcover at amazon.com.

Compost Tea Heaters recalled by manufacturer and U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission

Growing Solutions was recently advised of a voluntary recall by the manufacturer of heaters formerly offered on our website for use with our Compost Tea Systems. Three models are included in this recall, cooperatively announced by United Pet Group and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission: 75 watt, Model ETP75; 150 watt, Model ETP150; and 250 watt, Model ETP250.

According to the CPSC notice, “Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled heaters and contact United Pet Group for a free replacement heater or a full refund.” United Pet Group stated that “a wiring problem can cause the heaters to overheat or break during normal use.” The model names of the affected heaters are Marineland Stealth, printed on the side of the heaters. The model number and the wattage ratings are printed below the model name.

Location of the model name, number and wattage.

For refund and replacment information, contact United Pet Group at 800-338-4896 between 7:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or view this detailed update at www.marineland.com/update.aspx

Please note that refunds or replacements for heaters purchased from Growing Solutions must be obtained through United Pet Group. Growing Solutions has notified all customers who have purchased any of the three heater models about the recall and remedy instructions.

Michael Alms presents an overview of the compost tea industry at the Hilo workshop.

Sold out! Two words we usually hear from garden centers offering compost tea as the growing season heats up…but this time it was a sell out crowd at a full day workshop in Hilo, HI, organized by the Hawaii Organic Farmers Association and funded by the University of Hawaii. The more than 80 in attendance soaked up the latest research and innovative uses of compost, vermicompost and compost tea during presentations and field trips over the course of the day. Presenters included Dr. Norman Arancon (Sustainable Agriculture Program, CAFNRM), Dr. Ted Radovich (Sustainable Farming Systems Laboratory, UH-CTAHR) and Growing Solutions’ Michael Alms. The afternoon included an on site compost tea demonstration in a commercial vegetable operation at Island Harvest Organics in Pahoa. Michael offered an overview of the 15-year-old compost tea industry, and a look to the future in tropical environments and elsewhere.

Compost tea is applied to pak choi at various stages of growth, part of the SARE grant project led by Dr. Ted Radovich.

Hawaii is leading the world in researching compost tea and its use in tropical and subtropical production systems. The University of Hawaii has a dedicated department for organic and sustainable agriculture, with Dr. Radovich and Dr. Arancon leading the efforts. Dr. Radovich discussed the current SARE (Sustainable Agriculture & Research Education) grant project using compost tea on pak choi. Growing Solutions is participating in this project to further a better understanding of the use of compost tea in on-farm trials and through educational activities, including the May 6 Hilo event.

Dr. Arancon is co-editor of the latest and most comprehensive text discussing compost and compost tea, Vermiculture Technology: Earthworms, Organic Wastes, and Environmental Management. Stay tuned for a post about this culmination of work from an international cast of scientists. Dr. Arancon and Dr. Radovich both work with Compost Tea System10s in their research efforts at UH/Hilo.

Eight countries were represented at the recent “Compost Tea in Practice” seminar and workshop held at the Laverstoke Park Education Center. Growing Solutions President Michael Alms was one of four guest speakers at this day long event organized by western European distributor Martin Lishman. Attendees from the United Kingdom, Ireland, Norway, Italy, Canada, Malaysia, Singapore and the United States participated in this overview of compost tea production in the agricultural, horticultural, landscaping, nursery and municipal sectors.

Growing Solutions President Michael Alms emphasizes the critical factors that determine the level of quality in compost tea production.

Michael Alms and Joel Reiten, Director of Seed Production for Seeds of Change, let the Compost Tea System100 do all the work during the field portion of the seminar.

Dave Hutchinson, UK compost tea consultant, chaired the event which included field production of compost tea and a tour of the Laverstoke Park Laboratory. Seeds of Change Director of Seed Production Joel Reiten and Symbio Ltd. Managing Director Martin Ward detailed their experiences with large scale compost tea production and application equipment. Critical factors for producing high quality compost tea were a key focus of the day, with Laverstoke Park microbiologist Vinodh Krishnamurthy leading the tour of the lab’s soil, compost and food analysis equipment and processes.

“Quality was the key word of the day,” Michael explained. “Across the board—from the type of compost to the method of application—there was consensus that using quality ingredients and equipment are the foundation of realizing the greatest cost benefits of compost tea in any sector.”

“Even though the use of compost tea is relatively new, we continue to see more and more segments of the agricultural and horticultural sectors finding success with tea applications,” Joel commented. A 15-year veteran of the compost tea industry, Joel was enthusiastic about the results of the day adding, “It’s exciting for me to see the evolution of the use of compost tea. The attendees, from across the globe, brought new and dynamic ideas to this growing industry.”

Growing Solutions President Michael Alms and Pearl Buck Center Development Director Dena Amend proudly display the Compost Tea System10 donated by a benefactor for use in the Center’s Sensory Garden greenhouse. The Garden is a part of the Center’s on site preschool program.

Serving people with special needs since 1953, the Center helps adults in the Eugene, OR area develop the skills necessary to become productive in the work force. We’ll blog more about our ongoing partnership with Pearl Buck Center clients soon. In the meantime, we’re proud to be a part of this unique feature that the Center offers parents with preschool children.

Sharon Tamanaha puts the preschool's System10 to work.

Growing Solutions’ distributor Mindy Jaffe of Waikiki Worm Company reports on a great story of a process that we hope to see replicated in schools everywhere. It recalls the sagely adage of “it takes a village…”— in this case, a generous donor supplying a System10 to the Calvary-by-the-Sea Montessori Preschool in Aina Haina, Oahu, Hawaii, where organic waste fed to the school’s worm colony is fully recycled to everyone’s benefit.

Assistant teacher Sharon Tamanaha worked with Waikiki Worm to create the vermicompost program. Not only is the school’s garden and landscape benefiting from the weekly compost tea production, the fourth Sunday of every month is dedicated to tea brewed for sale to church members—always a sell out—that brings revenue to help sustain the program.

“We are very, very happy with our brewer,” Sharon says. “It’s easy to use and clean. Every plant is healthy and robust and the entire property just glows.”

Read the full article in Waikiki Worm Company’s newsletter here.