Resources

At Acres 2024, we got together with Matt Powers to compare the biological activity in samples from 3 different composts.

We had a great conversation with Cory Miller of Grass Valley Farms about biological farming, health and of course, compost extract.

Bob Henderson and his sons use the Hiwasse Products Bio-Extractor on their 2,000 acre farm in Iowa. We stopped by to talk about their experience with compost extract and regenerative farming.

Rick Clark farms row crops on 7,000 acres in Indiana. He discusses how moving to no-till organic made his farm healthier and vastly more profitable, and how he uses compost extract from the Hiwassee Products Bio-Extractor to supercharge his soil biology.

We talked with Douglas Poole who farms 7,000 acres in central Washington. Compost extract helps him revitalize his soil biology and save money in spite of arid conditions and a short growing season. Douglas uses the Hiwassee products Bio-Extractor to make his extract.

Jay Young and his father, Jerry, own and operate Young Red Angus in Tribune, Kansas. Since discovering the Johnson-Su composting process, Jay has been producing and apply compost extracts on 8,000 acres of corn, wheat, and milo, as well as running cattle on cover crops. Jay shares his knowledge and discoveries, as well as conversations with kindred spirits, on his popular YouTube channel, and has been invited to speak at conferences throughout the Plains region.

Jay Young and his father Jerry own and operate Young Red Angus in Tribune, Kansas. Since discovering the Johnson-Su composting process, Jay has been producing and apply compost extracts on 8,000 acres of corn, wheat and milo, as well as running cattle on cover crops. Jay shares his knowledge and discoveries, as well as conversations with kindred spirits, on his popular YouTube channel, and has been invited to speak at conferences throughout the Plains region.

Jay Young and his father Jerry own and operate Young Red Angus in Tribune, Kansas. Since discovering the Johnson-Su composting process, Jay has been producing and apply compost extracts on 8,000 acres of corn, wheat and milo, as well as running cattle on cover crops. Jay shares his knowledge and discoveries, as well as conversations with kindred spirits, on his popular YouTube channel, and has been invited to speak at conferences throughout the Plains region.

Matt Ball is the Director for Industry Development at the US Composting Council in Raleigh, NC. Prior to that engagement, Matt operated thcomposting program at North Carolina State University. The photos below are of NC State's composting facility. Matt is also a certified Soil Food Web Laboratory Professional and operates Red Mountain Soil Ecology, where he analyzes and reports on the functional biology in soil, compost, worm castings, liquid extracts, and potting mediums. If you’re interested in learning more about Matt’s lab services, you can visit his website, or reach out to lab@redmountainsoilecology.com.

Within the past decade, the agricultural community has been slowly inching away from conventional practices to more regenerative ones. Due to a long history of continuous physical and chemical disturbance to our soils, regenerating our soils is crucial. The knowledge surrounding regenerative agriculture has expanded and more farmers are realizing the benefits of changing practices - not only for their crop yield, but also for our environment. A major benefit to practicing more regenerative agriculture is the increase in the soil microbial community which leads to an increase the amount of carbon being stored in the soil. Having a diverse and healthy level of microbes in your soil improves plant immunity and growth, fixes nutrients, stores water more efficiently, and builds soil structure.

Simeon explains how he used Hiwassee Products’ first prototype compost extractor to produce 5,500 gallons of extract in one day.