What is Compost Tea?
Compost tea is a liquid made by steeping finished compost in water to extract beneficial microorganisms and nutrients that can be applied to soil or plants. The goal is to introduce a diverse community of beneficial bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and other microorganisms that support healthy soil and plant growth. Looking at compost tea under a microscope is important because you cannot determine its quality simply by looking at it—the microscope can reveal whether the tea contains the right balance and abundance of beneficial organisms. In other words, the goal isn't just to make a brown liquid; it is to cultivate a living microbial community where the desired organisms are thriving and potentially harmful or undesirable organisms are minimized. This microscopic examination helps confirm whether the compost tea is biologically active and whether it contains the organisms you actually want to introduce to your soil.
What is Compost Extract?
Compost extract is a liquid made by physically rinsing or washing finished compost with water to collect soluble nutrients and microorganisms from the compost, without intentionally brewing or multiplying the microbial population. Like compost tea, the purpose is to introduce beneficial biology and nutrients to the soil or plants. Looking at a compost extract under a microscope is important because the appearance of the liquid does not tell you what organisms are actually present. Microscopic examination can help identify whether the extract contains a healthy population of beneficial bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and other microorganisms, allowing you to determine whether you are applying the specific organisms you want rather than simply assuming the extract is biologically active. This makes microscopy especially useful for evaluating the quality and biological diversity of the compost extract before applying it.
What sets us aside...
What makes us unique is that we focus on the living biology behind healthy soil, not simply on producing and selling compost. We use quantitative biological analysis to understand the microbial communities within soil and compost, help our customers interpret their results, and provide customized recommendations for improvement. We also teach growers how to create and apply biologically active compost, compost teas, and compost extracts using local microbial life suited to their environment. By combining scientific analysis, regenerative agriculture, education, and hands-on microscopy, we empower our customers to understand and improve the biology of their own soil. Our goal is to go beyond providing a product—we help create healthier, more biologically active systems from the soil up.