Frequently Asked Questions

A fertilizer is any material of natural or synthetic origin that is applied to soils or foliar to supply one or more plant nutrients.

Bio-fertilizers contain both plant nutrients and beneficial microbes that help plants’ absorb nutrients, resist disease, and promote growth when applied with seed or to soil or foliar.

In 1995 the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) defined organic as; an ecological production management system that promotes and enhances biodiversity, biological cycles, and soil biological activity.

In 2005 the National Organic Program (NOP) defined organic as; Organic production [is] a production system that respond[s] to site-specific conditions by integrating cultural, biological, and mechanical practices that foster cycling of resources, promote ecological balance, and conserve biological diversity.

AgroThrive products are made in closed, stainless steel vats by active, naturally occurring microbes normally present in all organic waste. These microbes work to convert organic waste to AgroThrive products under specific nutritional and environmental conditions, much like compost microbes convert green waste into organic compost. As a result, AgroThrive is regulated as in-vessel compost facility (USDA Organic Regulations for Organic Compost 7 CFR § 205.203(c)). AgroThrive facility is permitted and regularly inspected by Monterey County Environmental Health Division.

PDP is unique because it is the only process in the industry that can easily handle both liquid and solid raw inputs. As long as the organic waste can be cut, ground, or otherwise liquefied, it can be used to produce organic bio-fertilizers. In addition, PDP harnesses the biological heat produced by the process to raise temperature of the contents adequately to eliminate all pathogens. As a result, finished products are pathogen free, well digested, and drip tape compatible.

All ingredients in AgroThrive organic bio-fertilizer products comply with the NOP rules for certified organic production. There are no synthetic substances in AgroThrive products, except for phosphoric acid in AgroThrive LFP*. Phosphoric acid is allowed by NOP organic rules only for stabilized liquid fish fertilizers (Section 205.601(j7)).

*LFP meets the NOP definition of stabilized liquid fish.[Liquid fish products – can be pH adjusted with sulfuric, citric or phosphoric acid. The amount of acid used shall not exceed the minimum needed to lower the pH to 3.5.]

Exposure to 55°C (131°F) – 70°C (158°F) for 6 days or longer.

There are no non-organic products on AgroThrive premises. Therefore, there is no need to have procedures in place to guard against commingling.

No equipment that is used for raw materials handling is ever used to handle finished products, and vice versa. Raw material and finished product are handled with color coded, material coded, and dedicated equipment. All finished product contact surfaces are cleaned and disinfected before they come in contact with finished products. Clear records of standard operating procedures (SOP) are kept for all major activities during production and handling. AgroThrive staff is well trained to prevent post process and cross contamination.

AgroThrive liquid bulk bio-fertilizers work with the following irrigation methods: drip tape, sprinkler, center pivot, lateral move, sub-irrigation, flooding and manual irrigation.

The documents that accompany all AgroThrive deliveries include:

• CDFA approved label with each load.
• SDS with each load.

Certificates of analysis for each lot number include; Pathogen Analysis (E. coli O157:H7, E.H.E.C., Salmonella, Fecal Coliforms, and Listeria)

Every 3 months customers receive certificate of analysis for:

• Nitrogen 14 to Nitrogen 15 Ratio
• Heavy metals

Independent third-party process validation letter, Manure-Free Certificate and Thermophilic temperature profile are available upon request.