Education & Training
The Living Power of Vermicompost
Jesse: This afternoon we are speaking with Dr. Norman Arancon from the University of Hawaii in Hilo. As we at Hiwassee Products were researching the science of vermicomposting, the name Norman Arancon PhD kept coming up in the literature and the studies that were referenced. I’ve been looking forward for a long time to speaking with you and finding out more about your trials, and the things you've studied. Also joining me today is Natalie from Heart and Soil magazine. This interview will be part of the regenerative resource that we're working on together.
Compost Extract Drip Tape Study
Students from Vanderbilt University School of Engineering conducted a project at Caney Fork Farms to explore compost extract application through irrigation drip tape. Their objectives were to develop a pilot irrigation setup capable of delivering living microbiology to plants in a greenhouse setting and to address the problems of biofilm and sediment accumulation in the drip lines.
Brew It and Spread It
This afternoon we'll be hearing from Steve Diver, who has a long background in biological agriculture and manages the research farm at the University of Kentucky. Looking forward to hearing from you.
Practical Processes for Cultivating Beneficial Microbes
Watch the first part of Building a Biological Powerhouse in Your Soil, a webinar series produced by Eco-Farm with presentations from Hiwassee Products, Cure Soil and Sanctuary Farm. This session focused on composting practices that maximize beneficial microbes.
Plant Brix Levels and Insect Resistance
This afternoon we have the privilege of speaking with Dr. Tom Dykstra, the renowned entomologist who's been making waves in the Ag scene with research on the correlation between Brix levels and whether or not an insect will attack a plant.
Food Nutrient Density and Soil Biology
Today we're speaking with Dan Kittredge. Dan is a leading advocate for the concept of nutrient density and is working on some exciting projects about measuring nutrient density in food products, which I'll let him explain much better than I can.
Integrating Compost Extracts into your Operation
Simeon participated in a two-part webinar hosted by No-Till Farmer, along with Adam York, Jake Sorril, Josh Watson and Jared Rohn of AgriBio Systems.
Promoting Soil Health Education
Jesse from Hiwassee and Natalie Forstbauer of Heart & Soil spoke with authors Anne Bikle and David Montgomery about the evolution of their understanding of soil and health, their four published books and what food production might look like in twenty years.
Helping Growers Implement Soil Health Practices
Brad Hobrock, formerly of AgriBio Systems, now working with VisionX Ag, spoke with Simeon about his agronomy practice. Brad helps farmers introduce biologicals and targeted nutritionals to build plant health while reducing inputs.
Decoding Microbial Diversity in Vermicompost
Craig Hartsough manages a vineyard for De La Montanya Vineyard and Winery in Sonoma County, California. He is working on his Ph.D., focusing on beneficial microbes and DNA testing in the vineyard context. Craig has written multiple articles for Acres USA; please refer to article list at the end of the post
The Vermicompost Microbiome with Dr. Zack Jones
This afternoon we’re speaking with Dr. Zack Jones in Fort Collins, Colorado. Zack and I first met at the last vermiculture conference put on by NC State, run by Rhonda Sherman, the godmother of vermicomposting. We were doing market research, coming in from the manufacturing side, how to design a good vermicomposting system and from there to producing extract.
Grozome corn trial
Everest Holmes describes a metagenomic study on the effects of Grozome compost extract on corn seedlings. The study demonstrated improved growth in treated vs. untreated seedlings.
Compost extract at agribio systems
Jesse spoke with Adam York of AgriBio Systems about Adam's journey from conventional to biological farming and the founding of AgriBio.
Tribute to Eddie King
On July 19th, 2025, our team at Hiwassee Products lost a great friend, mentor, and member of our extended family with the passing of Eddie King, a livestock and vegetable farmer of many decades in Chester, New York. Eddie’s passion for pursuing new, better methods to grow vegetables in a market farm environment led him to pioneer many practices that contributed to greater awareness of soil health and nutrient quality. Eddie was an inspiration and frequent collaborator during the development of Hiwassee Products, and his input, patience, and enthusiasm will be missed. His son Jeff continues his legacy and farming operation in the Hudson Valley.
New Product: Cordless Drive
Tired of cranking that manual extractor? You'll be interested in our newest accessory, the Gearbox Drive Package that lets you drive the auger of a manual Bio-Extractor with any cordless drill.
Design award for the Bio-Extractor
It's an honor that the Bio Extractor X350, X250 and X150 are among the top 10 new products highlighted by the Sunbelt Ag Expo 2025 Innovation Awards program. See the announcement here.
Interview with Miles Sorel
Today we are joined by Miles Sorel from Terraforma and Miles, do you want to introduce yourself and tell us a bit what you're about what Terraforma is all about?
What's in Grozome?
Everest Holmes, head of product development for Grozome describes his stringent quality control procedures and explains the roles of various microbes in promoting plant health.
Interview with Graeme Sait
Today we have the privilege of speaking with Graeme Sait, world renowned educator and ag specialist from Australia and founder of Nutri-Tech Solutions. Graeme could you give us a brief overview of yourself, your work and a little bit of how you got you got into this whole business of soil health?