About EcoGROW....
Here is info I found about EcoGROW. This is the company Anne Sanders, our newest Management Advisory Board member is affiliated with.
Who and what is ecoGROW Corporation?
ecoGROW Corporation is a new generation company founded to address many of the current environmental, economic and health problems facing modern food/biomass production chains in agriculture, silviculture, viticulture, horticulture, aquaculture and animal breeding. ecoGROW is founded on the principles of sustainability, science and ethics. In essence, ecoGROW wants to change the relationship contemporary humans have cultivated with the earth, from a parasitic one back to a symbiotic one. And we want to engage others in our mission of “replanting the future”.
The modern biomass producer faces risks related to production, environmental degradation, disease transmission and climate change. If not properly managed, these risks eventually impact every day consumers, down the supply and consumption chain. Ultimately our food, energy and economic security are compromised. ecoGROW Corporation mitigates these risks by developing innovative products, which incorporate mineral, microbial and waste management technologies. We will continue to develop innovative products to address the 8 most common risks associated with modern (and unsustainable) food/biomass production practices:
1. Energy security
The reliance of modern agriculture on chemical nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus fertilizers derived mainly from air (N) and rock (P and K) sources is unsustainable and increasingly expensive. The high-temperature catalytic synthesis of ammonia (used in N fertilizer production) from air is by far the main consumer of energy in the fertilizer industry. 90% of the energy used for this step is supplied by natural gas in North America. The increasingly high cost of natural gas is in turn reflected in the spiraling costs of chemical fertilizers. The USA is the major North American producer of nitrogen fertilizer, while Canada is the major supplier of natural gas to the USA. Tight natural gas supplies and reserves in Canada, suggest that increasingly dirtier sources of energy (coal bed methane, oil sands) may be used in future fertilizer production. In China, more than 60% of nitrogen fertilizer production is already based on dirtier coal based energy.
ecoGROW uses only natural forms of N, P and K in our Nutri-Stimulants®, derived from appropriately decomposed and mixed farm (plant & animal) or bone and fish waste from animal and aquaculture operations. The decomposition process of the waste is catalyzed by a proprietary mixture of microbes in biological reactors, minimizing the amount of external energy needed, and minimizing the use of fossil fuels and generation of greenhouse gases. This use of local waste as a feedstock also lessens our dependence on imported sources of chemical fertilizers.
2. Food security
The current world production of food is dependent on large amounts of fossil fuels (fertilizer production) and finite reserves of phosphate rock. Canada has no significant mineable sources of phosphate for inorganic fertilizer production and is entirely dependent on imported sources, mainly the United States. US production of phosphate is projected to decrease by 50% by 2020 even with the development of new mines, due to increasingly higher costs of production and competition from other world markets. Within the next 30 years the USA will likely change from a net phosphate exporter to an importer. In any event, world phosphate rock reserves are projected to be depleted within 50-100 years depending on modeling parameters (Herring & Fantell, 1992). Two thirds of the economically extractable reserves of phosphate rock are currently located in the Middle East and Morocco, an area itself fraught with political instability.
“Recycling of nutrient phosphate is the second major opportunity (after increasing volumes through mining) for increasing future availability of phosphate [rock]. Recycling could occur in the agriculture sector by using techniques that minimize the amount of phosphorus lost or needed to sustain yield; it also could occur in the use sector where, for example, urban effluent [or animal waste] could be reclaimed for its nutrients. As an illustration of this potential reclamation, the measured annual effluent discharge of solid and dissolved phosphorus as orthophosphate for the southern California metropolitan area is kilotons (Southern California Coastal Water Research Project, 1989). This is approximately one gram of phosphorus per person per day or the equivalent of the human minimum nutritional requirement.” (Excerpt from Herring & Fantell, 1993, Phosphate rock demand into the next century: Impact on world food supply. Nonrenewable Resources (2)3: 226-246).
ecoGROW reclaims nutrients such as P, K and N from organic farm waste by producing nutrient dense soil amendments such as the ecoGROW Nutri-Stimulants® range of products, using microbial assisted composting. Not only do we turn conventional farm waste into a higher end-use product, but it is ultimately good for the environment, human, animal and plant health, and utilizes the minimum of fossil fuels. Minimizing the storage times and handling of farm manure also reduces the emission of greenhouse gases such as methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O). Regional economies are also stimulated through decentralized, local production facilities. The decreased reliance on imported fertilizers ultimately results in food and economic security.
3. Climate change
Modern farmers everywhere, from developed countries to developing nations are now faced with the reality of global climate change. Not only are temperatures becoming more extreme (hotter/colder), but so is rainfall. This translates into longer or more extreme drought periods, or heavier rainfall seasons. The net effect of increased rainfall is exacerbation of uncontrolled leaching of N, P and pathogens (e-coli) from agricultural soils through water run-off into adjacent waterways and percolation into groundwater. Higher temperatures and lower rainfall translate into drier soils and decreased microbial activity. The mineral technology used by ecoGROW is based on zeolite, a hydrated alumina-silicate, one of the few natural mineral phases with a net negative charge. Coupled to a cage like three dimensional structure, Al-zeolites have the ability to adsorb/absorb positively charged plant nutrients such as P, N and K and other micronutrients as well as water into or onto its structure. Zeolites essentially act as on-demand slow release fertilizers, thereby mitigating extreme fluctuations in soil water and nutrient content. While increased atmospheric CO2 levels may well stimulate faster crop growth, such fast growth may lead to compromised crop nutrient levels as soil nutrients are depleted more rapidly. This again highlights the need for continually restoring the organic, macro and micronutrient profiles of soils with slow-release products such as our Nutri-Stimulants®.
4. Soil infertility and toxicity due to chemical fertilizers, herbicides and insecticides
Chemical fertilizers are unable to replenish the micronutrient and microbial content of soils - both of which are essential to providing optimal nutrition for growing crops. Repeated applications of nitrogen fertilizers increase soil acidity, suppressing soil microbial diversity. In addition, repeated application of insecticides and herbicides can cause accumulation of toxic elements such as As, Zn, Cu, Hg, Pb in soils (e.g. apple, citrus, grape, cherry, peach)[He et al., 2005, v.19, Journal of Trace Elements in Medicine and Biology]. Pesticide usage increased by 632% on Prince Edward Island between 1982 and 2000 when potato production exploded. Unfortunately, those same pesticides washed off into the islands’ 263 waterways. In 2002 alone, 12,000 fish were killed due to pesticide run off on PEI [Feeding the Future, p21]. Application of our Nutri-Stimulants® products introduce zeolite mineral phases to soil, which have a high affinity for many organic and inorganic substances, many considered to be pollutants in agriculture. The net effect is to immobilize trace metal (or potentially other) contaminants where present (e.g. As, Pb and Hg) in soils so that they are not bio-available to growing crops. In fact, this mineral technology on its own, is widely used to remediate heavy metals contaminated soils and waters. Microbes act as regulators of nutrient cycling and ultimately soil fertility. The symbiosis between root microbes (Rhizobium) and plants promotes disease resistance and healthy growth conditions (i.e. termed rhizo-engineering when externally manipulated). Microbes important to high crop yields, such as Rhizobium, nitrifiers, Actinomycetes (incl. antibiotic producing Streptomycetes) and organic matter decomposers are the first to suffer from environmental stresses (e.g. high chemical loadings, low moisture, low organic matter content, high pH) in soil (e.g. Domsch et al., 1983, Residue Rev. 86, 65–105). These environmental stresses are common by-products of modern mono-agriculture, perpetuated by the use of chemical fertilizers. In addition to continually replenishing the humic, macro and micronutrient content of soils, our Nutri-Stimulants® contain non-pathogenic bacterial and fungal spores which re-colonize the soil and enhance plant growth, and contain mineral phases which stabilize soil moisture and balance soil pH.
5. Viral and bacterial disease transmission and odor generation in animal breeding
Rapid world population growth demands scaled up production of animal protein. Many inhabitants of rapidly developing countries such as China are switching from plant based protein diets to animal based proteins (i.e. nutrition transitions). This translates into high density and dirtier animal farming operations. In turn this increases viral/bacterial infection rates among animals. Close proximity of unprotected farm workers increases the risk for animal-to-human-transmission and mutation of viruses. This is a threat to global health security as it may eventually lead to pandemic events involving human-human transmission of fatal viruses (i.e. avian flu virus).
ecoGROW is involved in developing innovative composite mineral (i.e. zeolite) and microbial filtration systems in order to reduce the pathogen loadings in commercial animal breeding structures (e.g. chicken sheds). Noxious odors are a second major problem related to animal breeding operations. The zeolites and other organic materials used in our filtration units adsorb odors such as ammonia, which can reach very high concentrations in poultry barns, potentially impacting the health of animals (blindness and death), and causing localized air pollution, particularly in winter, when temperatures do not permit ventilation of structures. In summer, odors, particulate matter (and attached pathogens) are blown out and dispersed throughout surrounding neighborhoods. Hence, instead of stimulating rural economies, the perceived threat of disease and noxious odors emanating from these operations generally cause the opposite effect. Their presence degrades not only the surrounding environment, but also depresses property values in surrounding areas. In a modern, sustainable agricultural sector, these issues require innovative ecoGROW solutions.
6. Environmental pollution (heavy metals, N, P, e-coli, salmonella from fertilizers and manure application)
Environmental pollution is related both to the production and application of nitrogen, potassium and phosphate fertilizers:
Production: Mining operations for phosphate rock are both energy intensive, and consume large amounts of water, used during washing/rinsing of ore. During phosphoric acid production large volumes of by-products such as gypsum, contaminated with phosphoric acid (main ingredient used in P fertilizer production) and sometimes radioactive materials are generated. The disposal of these large above ground by-product accumulations is problematical. In contrast, the mining process for the mineral phase, zeolite, used in our ecoGROW products, is the least environmentally damaging process, and requires only surface stripping of zeolite deposits, milling and sorting and packaging. There are no toxic chemicals involved in post-mining processing and the milled ores are typically not even washed prior to use. Zeolite mining operations are easier to remediate after mining ceases seeing as there are no byproducts generated during processing, nor Acid-Rock-Drainage (ARD) problems, or vast volumes of contaminated water (i.e. tailings) stored in holding pits. In addition, zeolite rich soil is a good growth medium for re-establishing vegetation at decommissioned mines.
Application: Only 30-50% of applied nitrogen is actually absorbed by growing crops. The remainder of nitrogen and phosphate fertilizer is lost through run-off and percolation into adjacent waterways and groundwater. In addition N fertilizers degrade at surface to greenhouse gases such as nitrous oxide (N20), a greenhouse gas 270 times more potent at trapping heat in the atmosphere than CO2. In Canada, 1996 emissions from agricultural sources contributed a significant amount (10 %) of our total greenhouse gas emissions. The major sources were estimated to be enteric fermentation (55 %), agricultural soils (24 %), and manure (21 %). In addition to the host of environmental and growth benefits highlighted above, ecoGROW technologies can thus also help to substantially reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) arising from agricultural soil and manure (about 4.5 % of total Canadian GHG emissions).
High concentrations of N and P in water bodies cause algal blooms, which lead to hypoxia (death of other organisms due to lack of oxygen). A 20,000 km2 dead zone exists where the Mississippi River enters the Gulf of Mexico, fueled by nitrogen run-off from farms situated in the American Midwest. The three dimensional crystal and electronic structure of zeolite used in our products physically or electronically binds N, P and K (and a host of other nutrients). These nutrients are slowly released to soils/plants. ecoGROW soil amendments prevent the leaching of N and P (including a host of insecticides/pesticides) from soils and their transport to surface and groundwater during heavy rainfall.
Pathogens such as E-coli and salmonella are common contaminants of ground and surface water when raw manure is applied to pastures or even due to run-off from animal breeding facilities. The pathogens found in raw manure are destroyed in our microbial composting process. The prompt removal and recycling of animal waste for composting to bio-reactors from farms also prevents the uncontrolled leakage of pathogen loaded leachate into surface and groundwater.
7. Plant growth promotion
Genetically engineered plants (i.e. GMO’s) are increasingly promoted in order to increase crop yields, enhance plant growth, increase nutrient value and increase disease resistance. At ecoGROW, we achieve these same objectives by establishing healthy soils and healthy plants. Healthy soils have nutrient profiles (bacterial, fungal, algal and essential trace elemental (i.e. micronutrients)) that are superior to those produced after repeated application of simple or complex chemical N, P and K fertilizers. In contrast to chemical fertilizers, our Nutri-Stimulants® are rich in proprietary formulations of microbial and fungal spores, major elements such as C, N, P and K, but also contain essential trace elements including B, Cl, Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn, Se. For plants, these essential trace elements are critical in disease resistance, enzyme production and photosynthesis. In the human diet such micronutrients are critical for good health (see #8 below). Our formulations of inorganic and organic nutrients are delivered to the soil using a unique mineral phase, which establishes a feedback process between plants, the soil and our Nutri-Stimulants®, resulting in optimal plant nutrition.
8. Human health and modern disease reduction
“Human existence requires that agriculture provide at least 50 nutrients (e.g., vitamins, minerals, trace elements, amino acids, essential fatty acids) in amounts needed to meet metabolic demands during all seasons. If national food systems do not meet these demands, mortality and morbidity rates increase, worker productivity declines, livelihoods are diminished and societies suffer. Today, many food systems within the developing world cannot meet the nutritional needs of the societies they support mostly due to farming systems that cannot produce enough micronutrients to meet human needs throughout the year. Nutrition transitions (i.e. from plant to animal protein) are also occurring in many rapidly developing countries that are causing chronic disease (e.g., cancer, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and osteoporosis) rates to increase substantially. These global developments point to the need to explicitly link agricultural technologies to human health. ..agriculture can contribute significantly to reducing micronutrient malnutrition globally… it is imperative that close linkages be forged between the agriculture, nutrition and health arenas in order to find sustainable solutions to micronutrient malnutrition with agriculture becoming the primary intervention tool to use in this fight.” (Excerpt from Welch & Graham, 2005, v18, 299-305, Journal of Trace Elements in Medicine and Biology).
At ecoGROW we strive to produce soil amendments which assist in establishing not only optimal soil, crop and human health, but also optimal ecosystems health.
Wilma Pretorius, PhD.
Executive Vice President, Environmental Sciences
Suite 1480 - 777 Hornby Street
Vancouver, British Columbia,
CANADA V6Z 1S4
tel: +1 604 681 9383 fax: +1 604 681 9385
e-mail: info@etwm.ca Skype: ecotech1991
Demonstration Research Centre: (open 1st May, 2006)
1786 Angus Campbell Road, Abbotsford,
British Columbia, Canada
© ecoGROW Corporation April 2006.
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