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Table of Contents

Introduction......................................................................3

Achieving Healthy Soils:

Products.......................................................................6

Testing....................................................................... 10

Education..................................................................17

Benefits of Healthy Soils.................................................23

Earthfort Project Highlight:Avery Park Rose Garden, gem of the Corvallis, Oregon city parks system is shown above. The city’s Parks Landscaper, America McMillan, came to Earthfort for a local fertilizer source. What she didn’t yet know is that she would also save the city money by not using fungicides and other chemicals on the rose garden– but that is exactly what she did. “All they’ve gotten is water,” she says of the roses after last years’ treatment with Earthfort’s ProVide™ and ReVive™. She stated, “When the rose garden was in bloom last year, I could smell them from the parking lot,” something that hadn’t happened in previous years. Read more at earthfort.com under Projects.

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Welcome to Earthfort! From our Director, Matt Slaughter:

There are many, many tools out there to help you grow your plants. Think critically about what you are using and why. Do not waste time guessing which and how much additives to apply to your soil; test it and manage it based on those facts. In managed systems such as farms, ranches, landscapes, and nurseries, products and practices can often damage the soil’s natural biology, limiting the soil’s ability to cycle nutrients. Organisms like bacteria and fungi help create soil structure and are eaten by protozoa and nematodes, who then release the excess nutrients into the soil in a soluble form for plant uptake. Management activities such as tillage, removing crops and organic residues disrupt microbial activity for the next crop, requiring more fertilizers and chemical inputs. The bio-geo-chemical interactions are incredibly complex, and we do not need to micromanage them. All we need to do is facilitate these natural processes; the plants and microorganisms know what to do once they can associate with one another. Earthfort helps you use the beneficial microbes in the soil that break down and release soil nutrients and organic matter, building soil structure; and because Earthfort can measure these microbes, we can help you manage them to grow healthy, vital plants.

Earthfort has three primary areas of focus: First area is soil amending products. I have tested hundreds of products over the years to find the ones that best help manage soil biology. So many of these products failed to live

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up to expectations, I created my own line of products: Soil ProVide, Soil ReVive, and the Dirt Simple line of compost tea brewers and accessories. Soil ProVide and Soil ReVive were created to answer issues that every grower faces: How do I improve biological diversity and how do I best feed it? Soil ProVide is a shelf stable biological inoculum that can introduce beneficial organisms to help balance soils that are deficient in bacteria and especially fungi. Soil ReVive is the food that feeds and stimulates them, particularly fungi and protozoa. An added benefit of these two products is that they are compatible with other amendment products you may already be using.

Everything we make or resell is lab tested and verified in the field. Any product should be used as a tool, so we encourage testing so that application recommendations can be adjusted to best fit the needs and goals of the grower. All of our testing over the years suggests that if we get the balance of biology optimized for the plants we are trying to grow, our plants grow better, consume less water, resist disease pressure, while uptaking nutrients more efficiently. This brings us to our second focal area: testing.

Cooperative Farm in Suriname, South America, that consulted with Earthfort’s Director about improving their soils.

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Our laboratory tests soils to help growers understand what is going on in the microbial component of their soils. Soil microbiology has significant influence over the chemistry and physical properties of soil. If you don’t test the soil, you end up guessing what your plants need, which often means you are losing money. Earthfort’s website has all the information and forms you need to take soil samples and send or deliver them to our lab for testing.

The third and final area is education. We do not lock up all of our “secrets”, instead we give workshops, seminars, one-on-one training and consulting with all kinds of growers. Earthfort also offers a five-part educational video series. Our approach to consulting and education is all about empowerment and practicality, how to use various tools and approaches to determine your best course of action. Every situation is unique, the tools may be similar, but the implementation of the knowledge varies. Evaluate the results of your growing practices, get to know the products you use and find ways to put their claims to the test, never guess. Know your plants and your soil and what they require physically, chemically, and most importantly, biologically.

I started Earthfort, LLC in Corvallis in 2005 to create a resource for growers of all types to have access to the tools to help them manage their soil microbiology. Our customers are farmers (both organic and conventional), ranchers and pasture managers, ecological restoration experts, nurseries, landscape professionals, golf course superintendents, sports turf managers, professional and amature composters, hydroponic growers, urban farmers, home gardeners, and more... Ultimately, we serve anyone who desires to grow healthy, vital plants. Whether you prefer to “do it yourself” or use ready-made products, we can help restore balanced, healthy soil biology to your soil.

“Here is an organization with a positive way to grow healthy organic food and feed the world. {It is} all about improving the soil biology.”

- Tracy Graves, via Facebook

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ACHIEVING HEALTHY SOILS

EARTHFORT PRODUCTS: We test each batch we make for quality and consistency.

Soil ProVide™Replenish your soil with microorganisms to achieve the best balance of nutrients for your plants. Soil ProVide™ is a liquid packed with microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi.

Produced from an organic base material, Soil ProVide™ is screened for uniformity and converted into a liquid for easy application.

Soil organisms support plant health as they decompose organic matter, cycle nutrients, enhance soil structure and control the populations of soil organisms. A perfect complement to the organisms in Soil ProVide™ is the food source found in Soil ReVive™.

Turf study at Clemson University. See the projects tab on our website.

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Soil ReVive™A water soluble powder comprised of humic acid (derived from Leonardite.) Humic acids are produced by the biodegradation of dead organic matter, and can be used as soil amendments, foliar treatments, and blended with liquid fertilizers. Soil ReVive™ provides a natural way to give both plants and soils a concentrated dose of trace minerals, and acts like a soil conditioner.

A perfect complement to Soil ReVive™ is the soil inoculum full of living organisms found in Soil ProVide™ which play a major role in many natural processes that determine nutrient and water availability for plant productivity.

See Earthfort.com for our complete product line.

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FREQUENTLY ASKED PRODUCT QUESTIONS1. Are your products approved for organic production? Absolutely! Our products are certified organic through the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) as part of the National Organics Program (NOP) of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). It is advised to consult with your certifier prior to use as each State and Country has slightly different rules and requirements. We can work directly with certifying agencies to meet the required standards.

2. Are these products compatible with a more conventional agriculture program? We work with conventional growers around the world, these products can enhance the system to allow for a more sustainable and efficient system. It is advised to contact us for best practices of integration; also, if you already have crop advisors and agronomists, we work directly with them to create a customized solution based on your needs.

3. What is the best method for application of these products? These products were designed to be applied through any method that water can be applied; spray rigs, irrigation, overhead, drip-line, fertigation and aerial. Any type of pump can be utilized, but if it’s going to cycle for a long time a diaphragm pump is preferable. It is not recommended to utilize equipment that has been used for fungicide or pesticide applications, also, compatibility testing is advised when tank mixing with other soil amendments and fertilizers.

4. Can these products be used in hydroponics systems, or other soilless media? Yes, these products will often enhance the biological processes in all operations that grow plants. For more specific use details, please contact us to determine best approaches to your situation.

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5. Can these products be used in a compost tea regime? Yes, compost tea is another tool to add biology to your soil; both of our products can complement and enhance a tea program. Soil ReVive™ is an excellent food source for tea production. Soil ProVide™ is a great supplement or replacement for compost tea. Contact us for more details, recipes and consulting on integration.

6. Can these products be used in a compost regime? Yes, these products can enhance and feed the biology in compost, whether as a part of the composting process or as a post composting enhancement they can assist in adjusting the biological balance. We offer consulting services to composters, contact us for more information.

7. Are your products available outside of the United States? Yes, in many cases we are able to send these products to international users, please contact us for details as each country has different regulations regarding the importation and use of these products.

Attendees at an Earthfort workshop listending to Matt Slaughter, Director of Earthfort speak.

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Our laboratory utilizes a variety of testing methodologies to measure the abundance of life in soil and soil amendments such as compost and compost teas. Except where noted, these tests do not identify specific organisms. Rather, we measure the Biomass of Total Populations in general categories of the functional groups. The totals of these groups represent a snapshot of the biological profile at the time of testing. While each of these tests can be performed singularly, we find that together they represent a comprehensive picture of the health and utility of the material tested. Our biological testing packages are described below, each individual test is described thereafter, followed by nutrient testing packages.

Soil Biology Testing PackagesAll of our testing methods are scientifically validated and considered very important indicators of soil health and function. (Laboratory method references are available upon request.) We have consolidated these methods into cohesive packages of testing to make the results easier to interpret:

• Basic Biology Package- active/total bacteria, active/total fungi

• Essential Biology Package- active/total bacteria, active/total fungi and protozoa

• Advanced Biology Package- active/total bacteria, active/total fungi, protozoa, and nematodes

EARTHFORT TESTING: If you can measure it, you can manage it! Earthfort measures the microbiology in soils, composts, and compost teas.

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Additional tests, sold separately: • Mycorrhizal Colonization - endo, ecto, and/or ericoid fungi• E. coli - colony forming units of E. coli reported• Nematodes Only - identifies nematodes by functional

group and genus

Individual Test DescriptionsDry Weight:Used for soils and solid amendments (such as compost) this test determines how much of the material is dry matter. A higher number indicates low moisture content, while a lower number indicates higher moisture content.

Bacteria – Total and Active:Measuring the biomass of bacteria is the first step in understanding the health of a soil and the potential benefit of an inoculum or amendment. Total population of bacteria provides us with an indicator of abundance of food for predators, nutrient cycling capacity, and general diversity of the bacterial population. The active population is the component of the total biomass that is currently metabolizing oxygen; i.e., the functional fraction of the bacteria.

Fungi – Total and Active:Fungi play an important role in soil structure, nutrient retention and transportation, as well as soil pH. When we observe and measure fungi we are looking at three primary things: total population, activity level and the average hyphal

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diameter. Measuring hyphal diameters not only helps us determine biomass, but in general terms, identifies whether the overall population is beneficial, which aids in reporting relative diversity. The more diverse the fungi, the better.

Reporting this as biomass, we can do direct comparisons of fungi and bacteria. Plant succession is directly linked to the ratio of fungi to bacteria; therefore, it is the first area we address when we approach a remediation program.

Protozoa — Flagellates, Amoebae, Ciliates:We create several dilutions of the sample and then correlating presence and absence of each group. Unlike bacteria and fungi, it takes 5 working days to complete this test. Protozoa are organisms that feed on bacteria. Flagellates and amoebae are true “aerobes,” meaning they must have adequate oxygen to survive; while ciliates are “facultative anaerobes,” meaning they can survive in low oxygen conditions. Numbers of protozoa are very important as an indicator of potential nutrient cycling. If there are sufficient levels of flagellates and amoebae then aerobic nutrient cycling can occur. However, high levels of ciliates can be an indicator that anaerobic nutrient cycling is occurring. We use ciliates to help identify potential anaerobic conditions in your soil.

Nematodes:Nematodes are very important due to the nutrient cycling they provide. We report total number of nematodes per gram

A beneficial nematode.

or ml in the sample, we then breakdown this total population to genus and functional group. Nematode functional groups we identify are:• Bacterial Feeders

(beneficial)

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• Fungal Feeders (beneficial)• Predatory Nematodes (beneficial)• Fungal and/or Root Feeders (beneficial or pest, depending

on soil health)• Root Feeders (pest)

Nitrogen Cycling Potential, pounds per acre:This is a value directly correlated to the protozoa and nematode levels in the sample. Assuming these organisms are viable and there are adequate levels of nitrogen, oxygen and prey, this result is the potential nitrogen (in pounds per acre) that is cycled by these organisms in a three to six month period. This value can be very useful in determining efficient application levels of nitrogen fertilizer. It is important to understand though, that this measurement is NOT an indication of the plant-available level of nitrogen in the soil.

Mycorrhizal Colonization:Mycorrhizal fungi are an important type of fungi that create a symbiotic relationship with the root system of most plants, allowing for more nutrient and water uptake into the plant. We test for percentage (%) of colonization of two general types of these fungi, ENDO (inside the root), ECTO (outside the root), and one specialized type called ERICOID (associated with Ericaceous plants such as blueberries.) Most plants require either endo-mycorrhizal fungi or ecto-mycorrhizal fungi, but a few plants require both. Ericaceous plants require the Ericoid fungi to be productive. It is very important to write the type of plant roots we are testing on the testing order form to be sure we look for the correct type of colonization.

Escherichia coli (E. coli) Bacteria:This is currently the only test we perform to find and enumerate a specific species of organism. We use a plate count method and report in colony forming units (CFU) per gram or ml of the sample. We utilize an EPA approved method for testing E. coli. This test is typically performed on soil

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Earthfort Project Highlight:Since 2005, we have been helping Seattle’s Woodland Park Zoo mitigate toxic levels of E. coli and odoriferous dung produced by zoo animals in their exhibits. See more at earthfort.com/projects/.

Chemistry Testing Packages• Soil Chemistry Package – pH, Texture, Soluble Salts,

% Organic Matter, Nitrates, Ammonium, Phosphorus, Potassium, Sulfur, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Zinc, Iron, Manganese, Copper, Boron, Cation Exchange Capacity, % base saturation, # Nitrogen per acre.

• Compost Chemistry Package – Dry Matter, Moisture, Nitrogen, Phosphate, Potash, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Sulfur, Zinc, Copper, Manganese, Iron, Boron, pH, Electrical Conductivity, C:N Ratio, Compost Maturity

• Liquid Amendment Chemistry Package – pH, Electrical Conductivity, Nitrogen, Phosphate, Potash, Calcium, Magnesium, Sulfur, Zinc, Copper, Manganese, Iron, Boron, Specific Gravity, Pounds per Gallon

• Soil Plant-Available Nutrient Package – Includes organic matter, pH, soil type, nitrate, ammonium, phosphate, potassium, sulfates, calcium, magnesium, chlorides, soluble salts, iron, zinc, manganese, copper and boron.

amendments to identify potential health risks. Each state has its own regulations regarding safe levels of this organism for use on food crops and for material handler safety.

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Why should I test my soil biology?

Soil is the habitat for your plants. You need a habitat that encourages the plants you want and discourages unwanted plants. What type of habitat do you want your soil to provide? By knowing your soil’s current biology, you are able to make adjustments that are more suitable for the desired crop, maximizing crop production. Ongoing biological monitoring ensures optimal conditions throughout the growing season and leads to reduced dependency on fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides and fungicides. When using non-conventional fertilizers you lessen the amount of salt in the soil which in turn requires less water consumption. In addition, good biology creates less compaction creating room for deeper root systems.

The ideal balance of microbes in the soil is important to know as it varies for different crops. For example, row crops will be successful in soil conditions which would not be beneficial for orchards. Before applying compost, tea, or other amendments, send a sample to our lab to test the balance of microorganisms in your soil and/or amendment. You can set back plant growth by using compost or other amendments that do not contain the right balance of microbial communities or by having an imbalanced soil.

Matt Slaughter sampling soil in Avery Park Rose Garden.

Testing the soil’s (or amendment’s) microbial content prior to using it on your commercial crop is a smart move. See the next page to find out how to sample and ship to our laboratory.

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Instructions for SOIL Sampling and Shipping

Complete instructions for sampling and shipping soils, com-posts, and liquid amendments can be found on our website.

Go to www.earthfort.com and click the Lab Services tab.

Download our testing order form and fill out all required fields (either electronically or by hand.) Include completed form in the box with your samples. Please take the time to read instructions for sampling as well as the mailing samples information there to ensure your testing request proceeds smoothly and efficiently.

Tips for Taking Soil or Amendment Samples:• Wash hands thoroughly or put on latex gloves before

handling material to be sampled.• Take sample only when it’s possible to package and ship

the same day.• Keep samples cool but do not freeze them. Freezing and

thawing kills many beneficial microbes.• Do NOT sample soil for biological testing when the

ground is frozen or waterlogged. Other than those two constraints, anytime of year will provide a good profile of the soil relative to the target crop.

• Actively Aerated Teas should be mailed overnight.

MAIL ALL SAMPLES TO:Earthfort

635 SW Western BlvdCorvallis, OR 97333

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EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

Part of Earthfort’s mission is to provide science-based training to enhance your knowledge about soil microbiology and management for plant health. Our staff members have a diverse array of soil biology, agricultural, and business experience, and we want to share what we’ve learned with you in a participatory environment. The sessions are offered both in-person and on the web:

• Videos* • Workshops*• Consultation• Soil Stewardship

Program

*Landscape Professionals: Our workshops are accredited by the Oregon Landscape Contractor’s Board and the Oregon chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects. Ask us how to get your continuing education credits and expand your professional expertise.

ON DEMAND VIDEO(Check our website for details!)

Understanding Your Soil Biology Report, 20 minutesIn this video, we clarify what the data means on your biological testing reports. We discuss each item on the report and examine how each component works together to create a picture health of the soil and plants you are growing. We will also review the results of an E. coli test. This video is an excellent resource for those considering our biological testing services, or as a refresher course for those familiar with the testing report.

“Earthfort offers the latest soil food web information for your soil and garden. Great stuff and thank you!”

- Norma Novy, via Facebook

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VIDEOS (Available individually or as a set on DVD or USB fl ash drive.)

Practical Soil Biology,48 minutesThis video conveys the fundamentals of soil biology and why managing this resource is important. It is the perfect introduction to those new to soil biology or as a review for those using biological techniques in their growing practices. Folks interested in practical applications of soil biology and how it applies to their gardens, farms, or landscapes will fi nd this video fascinating. Briefl y, we also review a biology testing report and what these results mean for plant health.

Compost Production, 53 minutesThis video covers the theory of composting and how to produce healthy, productive compost. We discuss appropriate starting materials, ratios for diff erent compost mixes, how to measure temperature, when to turn the pile, proper storage of compost, as well as how to tell when your hand-crafted humus is fi nished.

Compost Tea and Alternatives, 57 minutesOur compost tea video off ers a simple and eff ective method of obtaining optimal benefi ts from compost teas. When compost cannot be applied, for example in a green roof setting, tea can provide a way to apply the microorganisms from compost. However, if produced improperly, compost tea can do more harm than good. Earthfort has been testing and manufacturing tea for fi fteen years, so we clarify tea application and methodology in this video. Learn the most eff ective methods of production, how to integrate tea into growing practices, and what alternatives there are to tea when making tea becomes impractical.

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Biologically Based Pest Management, 60 minutesManaging pests is one of the most challenging aspects of land management, and it all begins with the soil habitat. Here, we give an overview of a biological perspective to pest management, and review the fundamentals of diversity in agricultural systems, as well as using knowledge of pest life cycles to effectively prevent and control them. We discuss the challenges in taking a simple approach to pest management versus how a holistic approach (with biology serving as the guide) provides more effective pest controls.

Ecological Succession, 40 minutesEcological succession is the observed gradual process by which ecosystems change and develop over time. Nothing remains the same and habitats are constantly changing. This video looks at ecological succession from a biological perspective, and we cover the history behind this science. We give examples of how succession can be set back from many types of disturbances, the different types of succession, possible causes of succession and the role that succession plays in our lives through our soils.

SOIL BUILDING WORKSHOP(2 days, in Corvallis, OR see website for details)Join us as we explore the physical, chemical, and biological soil processes, and how to better understand your system’s ecology in order to manage what you want to grow. This workshop is intended for anyone interested managing and remediating their soil resources effectively and efficiently. If you can measure it, you can manage it.

Our primary objective is to convey the interrelationships between soil biology and soil nutrient chemistry— knowledge that helps you continually build the health of your soils, which in turn, helps you grow healthy, vital plants. Composting and compost tea best practices will also be covered.

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Workshop at the Corvallis Depot.

Every site has its unique challenges, and we’ll give you the tools to work within your system rather than against it; saving you both time and money. You are encouraged to have your soil biology and chemistry tested in our laboratory prior to the workshop so that you may take a more in-depth look at soil biology challenges and solutions on your land.

EARTHFORT CONSULTING SERVICESOn the phone or in the field, Earthfort offers consulting services to answer your questions! Our consultants are available Monday through Friday, 9am to 5 pm Pacific time, to assist you in developing and implementing soil remediation strategies, (fees may apply.)

On-site visits can also be arranged with director, Matt Slaughter, to assess your practices and provide you with insights to maximize the effectiveness of your operation to enhance soil health. With nearly 20 years of working directly with clients, both in the field and through our lab, we have developed an expertise in the practical application of the science behind soil biology. No matter your circumstance, we can help you achieve your goals of a healthier, more productive soil.

Earthfort’s Director, Matthew Slaughter, talks about practical soil biology at a workshop. Reserve your seat at our next workshop today at earthfort.com

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SOIL STEWARDSHIP PROGRAMThe Soil Stewardship Program is designed for folks who are in or starting a soil business who want to expand their knowledge and understanding of soil microbiology. Growers, composters, landscape professionals, and others use this program to add value to their existing services and differentiate themselves in the market. The curriculum begins with several web-based or in person classes, 1.5 hr sessions each, scheduled at your convenience. Course work includes:

• Introduction to Soil Basics• Practical Soil Microbiology• Ecological Succession• Compost Production• Compost Tea and Alternatives• Biologically-Based Pest Management• Understanding your Soil Biology Report

Upon completion of all sessions, you will pass a written assessment and receive a Certificate of Completion.

Incentives and benefits of the Soil Stewardship Program include:

• 20% discount on testing packages for one year• 20% discount on products for one year• Free business listing on Earthfort’s website• Up to 4 hours of free consulting within 12 months • Register for our workshops at half the retail price• Attend optional quarterly Stewardship conference calls

for updates and networking opportunities

The Soil Stewardship Program does require annual renewal to maintain the benefits listed above. See our website or give us a call for more details.

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Other Educational ResourcesEarthfort’s website has a number of educational resources to peruse and to purchase. Sign up on our website for our free, electronic newsletter. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Google+, Instagram, YouTube, Pinterest, and LinkedIn to share and discuss soil topics on our social media pages.

Soil Biology Primer by Clive Edwards, Elaine Ingham, and Andrew Moldenke

Earthfort Project Highlight:The 2011 Fukushima nuclear meltdown left Japanese farmland contaminated with radioactive cesium. Earthfort was asked if our bioremediation technology could help mitigate these contaminated soils. We engaged Oregon State University’s nuclear physics professor Dr. Kathy Higley and students, who conducted trials with and without Earthfort’s biology products. Results showed a 55% reduction in ground water radioactivity with our products, and 42% reduction in radiation uptake by radishes when treated with Earthfort products. Read more at: http://earthfort.com/projects

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Soil Health is the ability to perform essential ecosystem functions, such as nutrient cycling, water filtration, and creating habitat for plants and animals. When the health of the biology in the soil is disturbed by sudden changes to the ecosystem (e.g., over-tilling, or chemical applications), overall soil health is affected. When these practices become the normal management regime, soil becomes cyclically dependent upon amendments, and the soil’s ability to maintain its structure and perform nutrient cycling through biology is continually impaired.

BENEFITS OF HEALTHY SOILS

Microbiology, insects and worms shred dead plant material creating increased surface area for bacteria and fungi to work, breaking down and consuming organic matter. Larger microorganisms such as protozoa and nematodes come in and consume bacteria and fungi, then excrete nutrients that are in a form plant roots can absorb. As those same plants grow, they continuously shed old leaves the process continues.

The biological approach to soil management reestablishes soil biology to rebuild the desired properties that can enable soil to return to a healthy functioning state.

Natural Nutrient Cycling: The most productive ecosystems are the ones that occur naturally.

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Enhance Plant Vitality: The relationship between life in the soil and healthy plants is inseparable. The plant’s ability to move its roots through the soil in search of nutrients is dependent on soil structure. Organisms moving through the soil create those spaces that aid in root exploration. These same organisms are the key by which nutrients are made available to plants. When soil life and plants function properly together plants are able to produce at optimum levels naturally and are supported by soil life and habitat.

Weed Reduction: Weeds are a natural part of ecological succession and thrive in bare, disturbed soils. In this state, the soil biology is dominated by bacteria. Remediating your soil (changing soil biology populations) can discourage weeds. Different plant types require different ratios of bacteria and fungi based on the successional state of their native ecosystem. To reduce weeds, we want to shift the balance of microbial communities in the soil to satisfy the desired plants’ needs. For example, trees require fungally dominated soils, whereas grasslands require soils with some fungi, but mostly dominated by bacteria. If plants don’t find the microbes they like to work with in the soil, they will not thrive. Healthy plants in healthy soils will out compete weeds and be more resistant to pathogens. Earthfort takes your plant type into consideration when looking at your soil, and can help you adjust your soil’s fungal to bacterial ratios to better support your plants.

Microbial environment typical crops and plants need:Broccoli/Cabbage (Strongly bacterial)Row Crops/Tomatoes/Grasses (Slightly bacterial)Berries* (Equal bacteria and fungi)Broadleaf Trees/Shrubs/Vines (2-10 times more fungal)Conifers (100+ more fungal than bacterial)

*Note: Grapevines, blueberries (and other Ericaceous berries and shrubs), kiwi, and snowbrush are considered to be in the shrub/vine category due to their high fungal needs.

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Disease Resistance and Pest Reduction: Crop-crippling pest infestation and disease occurs when there is a lack of biodiversity in the soil. In a healthy soil system, protective ecology exists, as in pest predators who keep harmful organisms from overpopulating and destroying crops. Well-balanced ecology also produces natural nutrient cycling available when the plant needs it most. The biological approach is the preventative medicine that assists plants in resisting disease.

Improved Soil Structure: Diverse soil organisms create an even mixture of varied particle sizes and pore spaces (air/water-filled spaces) within the soil matrix. Small pore spaces (micropores) hold water by the force of adhesion so it’s available to plants as needed. Large pores (macropores) allow water to drain through the soil so that air can move through, keeping the soil respiring aerobically. It is important to have a good mixture of macro/micropores so that soil is able to hold water, but does not get water-logged to the point of anaerobic respiration-- where many diseases and pathogenic organisms thrive. Fungi, insects, and worms move

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through the soil, creating macropores throughout the root zone of the plants and often deeper; thereby, decreasing compaction and creating space for air, water, and plant roots to move through the soil.

The conventional approach of intensive tilling to loosen compacted soil can create a hardpan beneath the tilled layer. This hardpan impedes deep root penetration and can become anaerobic attracting pathogenic bacteria. Intensive tilling techniques also destroy the fungal colonies that naturally aerate and create structure within the soil. When compaction and poor drainage is a problem for any soil type, improved soil structure can be achieved by reducing tillage and encouraging proper soil biology. Doing so saves fuel and labor costs related to those processes.

Water Quality and Retention: Organic substances (e.g., clay and humus) in soils have an ionic charge that hold nutrients. When there is little organic matter, nutrients are easily leached out by rapidly moving water. Biological exudates, from fungi and bacteria, create an adhesive material that strengthens soil aggregates, improving structure so that soil is not as easily washed away by water or eroded by wind.

Reduced Fertilizer Applications: The biological approach is key for those looking to use chemical fertilizers and/or pesticides efficiently. Abundant soil biology prevents loss of nutrients in turn reducing the need for chemical fertilizers. Working with soil biology is a vital tool for new organic growers looking to wean crops off of commercial fertilizers.

Recovering from Chemical Applications: In the case where pesticides (of any kind) are used, it is critical to replace the soil biology lost to these chemicals. Plants suffering from infestation can be equated to a human undergoing chemotherapy. It is necessary to use the right treatment and get rid of the problem, but it kills the good guys as well as

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Earthfort Project Highlight:In South India, Peter Ash has been rehabilitating soil from a heavy metal contaminated garbage dump by mulching, adding compost, phytoremediation, and Earthfort consulting and testing. Heavy metal concentrations are now drastically reduced. Read more at earthfort.com/projects

the bad. Replacing beneficial, diverse biology is vital after pesticide, herbicide, or fungicide applications so that the systems above and below ground can rebound.

Fixing Broken Dirt: Earthfort is dedicated to rebuilding and revitalizing biodiverse soil. Whether a soil is heavily polluted by industrial toxins, or depleted from overuse of pesticides and fertilizers, we believe the biological approach is the best way to restore the soil to its optimal functioning state.

“We sure appreciate the support and more importantly your experience and PRACTICALITY. I say this with conviction, because I mean it. You really

have turned around our tea program with your definitive solutions.

I also totally agree with your point about “EDUCATION”. Educating the growers will be quintessential in the quest for the much needed transition

from conventional to organic.”- Louis Gonzales, Thermiculture Farms

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© 2018 Earth Fortification Supplies Company, all rights reserved.

Thank you for all of your efforts in building naturally vital, resilient soils!

- the Earthfort Team

Workers in Nicaragua spraying Earthfort’s biological products on a field, no hazard suits needed!