Agromin News

Agromin Donates Bags of Potting Soil To Habitat For Humanity's Orange County "ReStore"

2010-04-30T12:37:00.000-07:00

Habitat For Humanity received a donation of 120 bags (two tons) of outdoor potting soil for its Orange County "ReStores" from Agromin, a green materials recycling company and premium soil manufacturer.

Habitat for Humanity of Orange County's Santa Ana and Garden Grove ReStores sell recycled and reusable home and construction materials including furniture, artwork, appliances, cabinets and countertops. Proceeds from the sales of the items help support Habitat for Humanity homebuilding projects throughout Orange County.

“We are so grateful for this donation from Agromin,” said Karen Thoms, director of ReStores, Habitat for Humanity of Orange County. “Donations like this help us fulfill our mission of transforming lives and communities by helping families fix up their yards with affordable lawn and garden items from the Habitat OC ReStores. It fits into our recycle, reuse philosophy.”

Agromin potting soil is made from green materials (grass clippings, leaves, trees trimmings) that are cleaned, chopped and naturally composted using a safe, organic and scientific system. The company receives and processes more than 365,000 tons of urban wood and green waste each year and produces more than 200 different kinds of soil products for farmers, landscapers and consumers.

Agromin will also provide the top dressing and mulch for Habitat home construction projects in Fullerton and San Juan Capistrano.

For ReStore locations and hours, go to www.ReStoreOC.org.

Las Colinas Middle School Donates 130 Pounds of Vegetables to St. Mary's Food Bank

2010-04-21T16:15:00.000-07:00

Las Colinas Middle School donated over 130 pounds of school-grown vegetables to St. Mary's Food Bank in Camarillo. The vegetables were donated as part of FOOD Share's "Pounds for Produce" contest.

School children from Las Colinas' special needs class care for the garden. Celery, radishes, cabbage, artichokes and onions were part of the harvest. "We hope to have a least 20 pounds of vegetables a week to donate," says Dianne Polen, Las Colinas Beautification/Life Lab advisor. "We've started planting potatoes and tomatoes so they should be ready in June or the first part of July."

Schools, community gardens and backyard gardeners are growing vegetables and donating their surplus to one of 65 Ventura County FOOD Share food banks. The pounds of vegetables are then weighed and logged to the participant's account. Top producers win free soil from Agromin on a pound-for-pound basis, equal to the total weight of produce donated to FOOD Share.

"Our students are having such a wonderful time and feel great knowing that they are helping families within our community," says Polen.

The Pounds for Produce contest is a joint effort by FOOD Share and Oxnard-based Agromin, one of California's largest green materials recyclers and a soil manufacturer of natural soil products. Gardeners sign up on the FOOD Share website as a Garden Share member to participate in the contest.

The contest ends July 15. For more information, call Meg Horton at FOOD Share, (805) 983-7100, ext. 105 or go to the FOOD Share (http://www.foodshare.com/) or Agromin (http://www.agromin.com) websites.

Free Compost From Agromin At Thousand Oaks Earth Day - April 24

2010-04-20T14:12:00.000-07:00

Agromin, an Oxnard-based manufacturer of premium soil products and the green materials recycler for Thousand Oaks and other Ventura County communities, is giving away 360 bags of compost during the City of Thousand Oaks/Conejo Recreation and Park District's 13th Annual Arbor/Earth Day celebration. The free event is Saturday, April 24 from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Conejo Creek Park North (1379 East Janss Road behind the Thousand Oaks Library).

"Much of Thousand Oaks soil is dense and sticky when wet," says Bill Camarillo, Agromin CEO. This clay soil makes it difficult for water to reach a plant's root system. The decaying materials found in compost allow air and water to travel through the soil so roots receive the proper nutrition. Using compost is the most natural way to prepare for spring planting. There's no need to put chemical fertilizers into the ground to produce a bumper crop of vegetables and flowers."

Agromin processes more than 365,000 tons of green waste each year. The green material is collected at curbside in the Conejo Valley and throughout Ventura County and is then chopped, cleaned and naturally composted before becoming soil products. The products are then distributed to farmers, landscapers and to consumers in bags or in bulk.

"About 40 percent of all waste generated in California is green waste," says Camarillo. "From an environmental standpoint, it's important that we keep these materials out of landfills, which would reduce the amount of greenhouse gases this waste produces. Thousand Oaks residents can do their part by putting their green materials from their garden into their green recycling bins."

For more information on green material recycling, visit www.agromin.com. For more information about Thousand Oaks Arbor/Earth Day, go to www.toaks.org/arbor.

Agromin Named a Climate Action Leader

2010-03-29T12:22:00.000-07:00

For the second year, Agromin, the green materials recycler for more than 50 communities in Ventura, Santa Barbara, Los Angeles and Orange counties, has been designated a Climate Action Leader by the Climate Action Registry. Agromin is the first Climate Action Leader in the Agriculture category.

The California Climate Action Registry is a program of the Climate Action Reserve, a nonprofit collaboration in North America that sets consistent and transparent standards to calculate, verify and publicly report greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Members voluntarily promise to monitor and register these emissions. Registry members that have successfully verified their emissions inventory by a third party assessment company earn the status of Climate Action Leader and their emission results are posted online (http://www.climateregistry.org).

"Knowing how much greenhouse gas we emit as a company is the important first step in managing and ultimately reducing our emissions," says Bill Camarillo, Agromin CEO. "It helps us plan our sustainability strategies for now and in the future. Our core business is to recycle green materials so we can reduce waste and greenhouse gases at landfills. Our goal is to do everything we can so the process of recycling green waste is sustainable, carbon-neutral and energy-efficient."

Agromin manufactures earth-friendly soil products for farmers, landscapers and consumers made from green material collected from communities throughout Southern California. Each month, Agromin receives and processes thousands of tons of urban wood and green waste and then uses a safe, organic and scientific system to formulate the green materials into its soil products. The result is more vigorous and healthier plants and gardens, and on the conservation side, more room in landfills and less greenhouse gas emissions. For more information about Agromin and green materials recycling, go to http://www.agromin.com.

Garden Park Elementary School Kids Plant New Garden

2010-03-02T10:28:00.000-08:00

Students at Garden Park Elementary School in Garden Grove planted vegetable gardens on school grounds over the weekend as part of a program to teach kids about gardening and respect for the earth.

"Gardens are a great way to bring the community together as well as provide students an exceptional opportunity to learn about the cycles of life," says Gary Gerstner, Garden Park principal.

Three tons of compost were donated to the school by Agromin, an earth-friendly soil manufacturer and the green materials recycler for numerous communities in Orange County. Once the soil was delivered, parents and students wheelbarrowed the compost to the garden areas where it was mixed into the soil. Parents then helped kids plant vegetable seeds and flowers.

"Students will take responsibility for the entire garden. They will plant, water, weed, chart growth and ultimately harvest the vegetables," says Cammy Devereux, a Garden Park kindergarten teacher. Devereux has another plan for the site: her classroom's desert tortoise named Tortellini will be allowed to graze in a lettuce patch that students will plant especially for him.

Second grade teacher Lori Wolsky says her students plan to grow radishes, mustard, green beans and flowers that will attract butterflies and good insects. "We are starting seedlings in cups so students can experience the entire growth process from planting seeds to harvest," says Wolsky. "Some of our veggies will be served in our school's salad bar."

"Students, staff, and parents already have an understanding of the value of being good stewards of the the land. By planting and managing the garden, all will garner a deeper appreciation for nature and the earth," says Angie Balius, who teaches a second-third grade class.

Agromin To Offer Spring Soil Tips at Ventura County Home & Garden Show

2010-02-09T10:56:00.000-08:00

Preparing a spring garden begins with the right soil. Agromin, an Oxnard-based manufacturer of earth-friendly soil products and the green materials recycler for more than 50 southern California communities, will offer spring soil tips at the Ventura County Home & Garden Show, March 19-21, at the Ventura County Fairgrounds in Ventura.

Agromin staff will be on hand to discuss soil types, soil amendments and mulches, plus show how to best prepare soil for spring vegetable and flower gardens. In addition, they will distribute information on "Pounds for Produce," a gardening contest sponsored jointly with FOOD Share. The contest will see who can grow and donate the most vegetables to help feed the hungry between now and July 15.

"We hope that gardeners will plant extra this year and donate vegetables to FOOD Share through the 'Pounds for Produce' contest," says Bill Camarillo, president of Agromin. "Winners in six different food categories will receive soil products from Agromin on a pound-for-pound basis, equal to the total weight of produce donated to FOOD Share."

Agromin will also give away free bags of soil products at the home and garden show. For gardening tips and "Pounds for Produce" contest information, go to www.agromin.com.

Agromin & FOOD Share Team Up For "Pounds For Produce" Donation Contest

2010-01-25T15:00:00.000-08:00

It's time to put your green thumb to work to help feed the hungry. FOOD Share, which distributes millions of pounds of food annually to those in need in Ventura County, and Agromin, one of California's largest green materials recyclers and a premium soil manufacturer, have teamed up to create "Pounds for Produce," a gardening contest to see who can grow and donate the most vegetables to help feed the hungry in Ventura County.

Backyard gardeners, members of 4-H clubs, garden clubs and community gardens are all invited to participate. Gardeners can sign up on the FOOD Share website (www.foodshare.com) as a Garden Share member and receive a membership card. Already, more than 60 gardeners have become Garden Share members.

FOOD Share is in particular need of produce grown in six categories: potatoes, tomatoes, celery, onions, broccoli and citrus. Garden Share members who grow these vegetables can drop off their harvest at any one of 65 FOOD Share food bank locations (www.foodshare.com/get-help/useful-resources). Donated vegetables will be weighed and logged to the member's account. Top producers in each category will win free soil from Agromin on a pound-for-pound basis, equal to the total weight of produce donated to FOOD Share.

In addition, Garden Share membership includes tips and support to help grow your garden. New members will receive a 25 percent Agromin soil discount coupon by e-mail or mail that can be redeemed at any Ventura County location selling Agromin products. For a list of locations, go to www.agromin.com, click on "How-To Guides" and then "Where to Buy Our Products."

"During tough economic times, especially during World War I and II, people grew gardens to supplement the local food supply," says Bill Camarillo, CEO of Agromin. "Today is no different. With Pounds for Produce, we have the opportunity to share what we grow with others in need. We don't have to be great gardeners and the vegetables don't have to be perfect. It's an opportunity to help our neighbors. And, by growing your garden in healthy soil produced from recycled green materials, you're doing your part to help the environment."

“Garden Share is a community-based effort that encourages neighborhoods to grow produce to help feed the hungry through sustainable backyard and community gardens,” said Bonnie Weigel, CEO and president of FOOD Share. “Whether you have a single container on your patio or an acre of farmland, everyone can get involved to help. Offering fresh produce to our food pantries is an amazing gift to people who so often go without and we thank Agromin for making it easy for people to get involved.”

The contest ends July 15, 2010. For more information, call Meg Horton at FOOD Share, (805) 983-7100, ext. 105.

Agromin Recycles More Than 365,000 Tons of Green Material in 2009

2010-01-19T16:32:00.000-08:00

Agromin, the green recycler for more than 50 communities in Ventura, Santa Barbara, Los Angeles and Orange counties, recycled 366,800 tons of green material from residents and businesses in 2009. The amount recycled was a 21 percent increase over 2008 when 302,139 tons were recycled.

Green material, primarily grass clippings, leaves, trees, brush and wood, is collected and delivered to Agromin's recycling facilities. Non-green items (i.e., plastics, bottles, paper) are removed before the material is chopped and composted into soil products. The process takes about 60 days. The soil products are then distributed to growers, landscapers and consumers.

"The soil is made using an all-natural process," says Bill Camarillo, Agromin's CEO. "We speed up composting by constantly turning and watering the green waste, but it's still the tiny microorganisms in the material that do all the work. The result is clean, healthy soil."

Agromin operations and soil products have won numerous awards. Last year, it was named "Composter of the Year' by the U.S. Composting Council (USCC). It was also honored in 2009 with the California Resource Recovery Association (CRRA) 2009 Dave Hardy Leadership in Organics Award. Agromin compost is listed by the non-profit Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) so it can be used to produce certified organic products in accordance to the USDA National Organic Program standards.

"Our sustainable system keeps waste out of landfills and reduces greenhouse gas emissions," says Camarillo. "The increased amount of green materials collected in 2009 is a positive indication that more and more residents and businesses are joining in the effort."

Agromin soil products are sold in bulk and in bags at locations in Ventura, Santa Barbara, Orange and Los Angeles counties. Products are also available online at www.agromin.com.

Much to Do in Southern California Gardens--Even in Winter

2009-12-31T09:51:00.000-08:00

While many trees and plants go dormant in January, warm, sunny days can entice Southern California gardeners into their backyards where much can be done even in winter, say experts at Agromin, an Oxnard-based manufacturer of earth-friendly soil products made from recycled green material from more than 50 Southern California communities.

Plant dormant fruit trees: Stop by any nursery and you will see a variety of dormant fruit trees ready for planting. These bare root trees are typically less expensive than those potted in soil. Dormant fruit trees, including apples, cherry, pear and plums, require a certain number of "chill" hours (temperatures less than 45 degrees) to break their winter dormancy and produce healthy crops in summer. Make sure the chill-hour requirements meet the particular micro-climate in your area.

Care for New and Established Rose Bushes: January and February are the best months to plant rose bushes. Like dormant fruit trees, bare root rose bushes are now abundantly available at nurseries. For existing roses, prune no more than one-half of new growth from the previous growing season. Pruning and pinching encourages new growth in early spring.

Plant Vegetables in Winter for Spring Harvest: January is the perfect time to experiment with vegetables not found in typical spring or summer gardens. Vegetables that are planted in fall and winter include asparagus, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, chives, collards, endive, kale, lettuce, onions, parsnip, peas, spinach and turnips. Year-round vegetables such as artichokes, carrots, beets and radishes can also be planted now.

Get Control Over Weeds: One or two days of rain is all it takes for weeds to sprout. Placing a two to three inch layer of mulch around trees, shrubs and plants prevents weed seeds from germinating. If weeds are already starting to grow, remove as many as you can and then cover the area with mulch. The goal is to prevent sunlight from reaching the weeds so they will not have fuel to grow. A common mistake is not adding enough mulch for the weed-suppression process to be effective. Once taken root, weeds need only a small amount of sunlight to flourish. Organic mulches break down over time, so if you already have mulch in your garden, replenish with an additional one-inch layer.

For more gardening tips, go to www.agromin.com.

Santa Comes Early for Mayflower Preschoolers

2009-12-28T14:34:00.000-08:00

Santa came early for students at Mayflower Preschool in Los Alamitos. The non-profit preschool, open for more than 40 years, needed replacement woodchips for its swing set play area. Kendy Gioia, director of the preschool, was searching for funding sources for the new chips when Agromin stepped in and offered its services and products to the school at no charge.

Agromin, a premium soil products manufacturer and green materials recycler for more than 50 communities in Southern California, delivered eight tons of freshly ground woodchips to Mayflower on December 23. With the help of volunteers from the Pacifica High School wrestling team, the swing set play area was completely transformed. "Instead of a hard, compacted surface underneath the swings, the ground is now covered with a thick layer of soft woodchips," says Gioia. "I'm ecstatic with the way things look and can't wait for our kids to come back from vacation and see the change. This will be a great surprise for them. I am so grateful Agromin offered to help." In addition, Agromin removed the old woodchips from the play area and recycled them into the school's flowerbeds as mulch.

Agromin also donated 20 "Carrots for Kids" growing kits to Mayflower. Gioia says the kits will be put to use immediately after the children return from holiday break. "The kits will be a great learning tool for our kids and will help enhance our small gardening program," says Gioia.

Christmas Trees Lead Productive Lives After Holidays Are Over

2009-12-22T16:02:00.000-08:00

Cut Christmas trees now adorning homes will lead productive lives long after the holidays," say experts at Agromin, the green materials recycler for over 50 communities in Southern California.

After Christmas, trees are collected and recycled into soil products for use locally by farmers, landscapers and consumers," says Bill Camarillo, Agromin CEO. "The composting process takes as little as 60 days. By early March, these trees will be transformed into mulch and used on farmland and in backyard landscapes and gardens."

Many cities in Santa Barbara, Ventura and Los Angeles counties offer curbside pickup of Christmas trees for recycling. Residents in Huntington Beach, Fountain Valley, Newport Beach, Costa Mesa and Irvine in Orange County can drop off their trees at the Agromin site at Rainbow Disposal (17121 Nichols St., Huntington Beach, Gate 7, 714-847-3581).

To help with the recycling efforts, Camarillo says residents should be sure trees are free of ornaments, tinsel, nails and tree stands before placing them in green waste recycling bins. "Otherwise, these non-green items must be removed by hand at our recycling facilities," says Camarillo. "It's satisfying to know that the Christmas tree you enjoyed during the holidays may be part of the mulch you use in your garden next spring or it played a role in helping grow fresh fruits and vegetables on local farms."

For more information on green materials recycling, go to www.agromin.com.

December is Time to Spruce of Garden Beds, Plant Spring Flowering Bulbs

2009-11-27T09:57:00.000-08:00

Plant growth comes to a near halt in December, so it is a good time to spruce up flowerbeds and gardens and plant spring-flowering bulbs.

Plant Bulbs and Flowers: Plant bulbs including hyacinths, daffodils and tulips in 5" to 6" of soil. Plant hardy plants such as camellias and azaleas. Consider adding natural California wildflowers (desert bluebells, California poppies, mariposa lilies) to your flower garden for early spring blooms.

Clean Up Debris: Collect fallen leaves, clean up dead portions of perennials and vegetable plants and pinch back winter-blooming annuals so they produce more blooms. Place fallen leaves in flowerbeds as mulch to keep soil in place and prevent erosion during rain.

Be Water Aware: December can bring Southern California much rain or the month can be bone dry. Trees and plants need water, even when the weather cools. Warm, dry winds can still occur in December and will suck moisture from plants in as little as one day. Be ready to water your plants if the winds and heat come and rainstorms stay away.

Winterize Your Lawn: Rake leaves, grass clippings or other debris from the lawn. This allows winter sunlight and nutrients into the soil. Raking will result in better aeration, resulting in greener grass when spring arrives. Remove weeds. Weeds allowed to produce seeds in fall and winter are guaranteed to flourish and wreak havoc in spring. Lay down compost over the lawn that is specifically formulated for winterizing. This compost should be fortified with nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium and penetrate into the roots for a quick start for spring growth.

Buy a Living Christmas Tree: Before buying a living Christmas tree, decide where you want the tree planted in your yard once the holidays are over. Talk with an expert at your local nursery to help select the best tree for the location. Keep the tree outside until Christmas week. The tree can stay indoors for no more than 10 days. Any longer and it will begin to drop its needles. Consider giving your tree a natural look--decorate with berries, popcorn, seeds and cookies. After the holidays, take the still-decorated tree outside and let birds have their own holiday feast.

For more gardening tips, go to www.agromin.com.

Growing Season Just Beginning for Many Plants & Vegetables in November

2009-10-23T14:46:00.000-07:00

OXNARD, CALIF.--While many flowers and deciduous trees become dormant in November, others are just starting their growing season and will keep gardeners busy throughout the fall and winter, says Agromin, an Oxnard-based manufacturer of premium soil products that are made from recycled green material.

Native Flowers: Native California plants are on a different clock than non-native plants. They thrive in cooler weather when the rains come, bloom in spring and become dormant-like during the dry, hot summer months. Most are drought tolerant Plant native flowers now including Ceanothus (perennial blue flowers), Monkey Flower (perennial orange flowers), California White Sage and California Poppy. Also, consider planting wildflowers from seed. The California Native Plant Society (www.cnps.org) identifies native California vegetation so you can choose the flowers to fit your garden. It also lists nurseries specializing in native plants.

Planting Trees: Fall is one of the best times of the year to plant trees. The bigger the tree doesn't mean the tree is healthier and will do well when planted. Transplanting younger trees, with a smaller branch system can mean less stress on the root system. Select the tree location carefully before choosing the tree. Do you want a deciduous tree with leaves that change colors or one that stays green all year long? How tall and wide will the tree become at maturity? Does the location have enough room to accommodate the tree's root and branch system? Once those decisions are made and the tree is selected, amend the soil before planting and surround the tree with mulch (six inches or more from the trunk) to keep in moisture and prevent erosion.

Still Time to Plant Cool Season Vegetables: While the variety of cool season vegetables is less abundant than their summer counterparts, enjoying the taste of homegrown vegetables can't be beat. Plant broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, lettuce, peas and spinach. Water as needed. If rains are frequent, no watering or once-a-week watering is all that is required. If hot, dry Santa Ana winds kick up, water once a day until the hot weather passes.

For more gardening tips, go to www.agromin.com.

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About Agromin:

Agromin manufactures premium soil products for farmers, landscapers and consumers. Agromin is also the green waste recycler for over 50 Southern California communities. Each month, Agromin receives and processes thousands of tons of urban wood and green waste. Agromin then uses a safe, organic and scientific system to formulate its soil products from the processed recycled green waste. The result is more vigorous and healthier plants and gardens, and on the conservation side, more room in landfills and less greenhouse gas emissions. Agromin is the U.S. Composting Council's "Composter of the Year."

21st Century Victory Gardens Benefit Today's Hungry

2009-10-05T15:38:00.000-07:00

FOOD Share, Agromin encourage community to grow produce through Garden Share program, initiate call to action for neighborhoods to help feed our hungry.

VENTURA, CALIF. (October 5, 2009--During WWI and WWII, growing Victory Gardens became a necessity to supplement community food supplies.

Decades later, the idea of sustainable backyard and community gardens is again at the forefront. A program from FOOD Share, called Garden Share, is a new community-based effort that encourages neighborhoods to grow produce to help feed the hungry.

FOOD Share and Agromin, the official sponsor of Garden Share, have made it fun and easy to get started through a free Garden Share member program that includes incentives, discounts on soil to start a garden, and how-to tips and support to get you started on the path to helping feed those in need.

"Adding fresh, often organic, produce for our fellow food pantries to distribute is an amazing gift to people who so often go without," said Bonnie Weigel, FOOD Share CEO. "Whether you have a single container on the patio or a row in an acre of farmland, everyone can get involved to help with Garden Share."

Agromin is one California's largest organics recyclers, diverting green materials collected from every community in Ventura County and converting them into more than 200 types of sustainable, eco-friendly soil products. It is offering its soil products at a special discount to volunteers who sign up to grow vegetables for Garden Share.

"Agromin believes strongly that as a community we should help each other and help our environment," said Bill Camarillo, Agromin CEO. "Garden Share does both by feeding the hungry and by using soil made from locally-generated recycled green waste. Garden Share provides an opportunity for all of us to make a difference in the lives of our neighbors and to make the environment we live in cleaner and more sustainable."

POUNDS FOR PRODUCE
Agromin and FOOD Share will select winners of a Pounds for Produce contest based on the amount of produce grown in one of six categories: potatoes, tomatoes, celery, onions, broccoli, and citrus. The contest is free to enter and open to everyone through July 15, 2010. Top producers in each category will win free soil from Agromin on a pound-for-pound basis, equal to the total weight of produce donated to FOOD Share.

GET GREEN AND GET GROWING!
Get started with a free Garden Share membership that includes incentives, discounts on soil from Agromin, how-to tips, and support to help grow your garden. To sign up and become part of the FOOD Share family, visit www.foodshare.com or www.agromin.com.

For more information, call Meg Horton at FOOD Share, (805) 983-7100, ext. 105.

About FOOD Share
A major food bank distributing millions of pounds of food annually to those in need throughout Ventura County, FOOD Share collects and receives food year-round, distributing to more than 150 partner agencies throughout Ventura County and serving over 41,000 friends through its Oxnard headquarters.

Its Brown Bag and Snack Attack programs provide supplemental nutrition to about 2,200low income seniors through 31 agencies and healthy nutritious after school snacks to approximately 1,800 children though 12 agencies countywide and provides food to more than 40,000 people each month. Information: (805) 983-7100 or www.foodshare.com.

About Agromin
As a United States Composting Council Composter of the Year Award-winner, Agromin, headquartered in Oxnard, manufactures premium soil products for farmers, landscapers and consumers, and is a green waste recycler for more than 50 Southern California communities.

Each month, Agromin receives and processes thousands of tons of urban wood and green waste. Agromin then uses a safe, organic and scientific system to formulate its soil products from the processed recycled green waste. The result is more vigorous and healthier plants and gardens, and on the conservation side, more room in landfills and less greenhouse gas emissions. For more information: www.agromin.com.

Limoneira & Agromin Donate Carrot Seed Growing Kits to Santa Paula Kids

2009-09-29T17:34:00.000-07:00

Limoneira Company and Agromin have teamed up with the Ventura County Resource Conservation District (VCRCD) to donate 183 "Carrots for Kids" seed growing kits to third and fourth graders in the Santa Paula Elementary School District. The carrot kit distribution is part of the VCRCD's efforts to educate local schoolchildren about the value of agriculture and growing their own food.

"All the kids have been highly involved and enthusiastic about the topic," says Mary Maranville, environmental education outreach coordinator for VCRCD. "Kids love learning about agriculture, gardening and details about fruits and vegetables. Handing out the carrot kits is a lovely way to end the presentation."

"Even in a community such as Santa Paula with its rich agricultural history, many young students don't make the connection between the acres of farmland around them and the food on their table," says Harold Edwards, president and CEO of Santa Paula-headquartered Limoneira Company and one of the country's largest citrus and avocado producers. "The VCRCD is helping make that connection. Having kids care for their own carrots as they grow from seeds to eatable vegetables brings it home even further."

The kits contain a green recycling component. Agromin, one of California's largest green materials recycling companies with a 10-acre facility on Limoneira property, includes potting soil made from locally collected green materials (i.e., grass clippings, leaves, wood) in the kits. "The soil teaches students that the green waste we generate at home can be collected, composted and turned into eco-friendly soil products that can then be returned to the earth," says Bill Camarillo, Agromin CEO. "By being conscious of recycling their green material, the students can create a more sustainable community and help close the recycling loop."

Maranville is scheduled to speak at other schools in Ventura County to spread the agriculture and conservation message. For more information, contact her at 805-386-4489, e-mail: mary.maranville@vcrcd.org.

Gardeners and Gardens Enjoy Cool Fall Weather In October

2009-09-29T13:29:00.000-07:00

October finally brings relief from summer heat, allowing both gardeners and gardens to enjoy a temperate climate for planting an array of cool season vegetables, trees and shrubs, says Agromin, an Oxnard-based manufacturer of premium soil products and one of the state's largest green materials recycling companies.

Plant Bedding Plants: Plant now for colorful blooms by Thanksgiving. Use nursery six-packs instead of costlier annuals in larger containers. In fall, smaller plants grow bigger and will flower longer than their larger counterparts.

Landscape Trees and Shrubs: Plant drought-resistant trees and shrubs so they have the long, cooler winter months to establish themselves before summer heat. Avoid frost-sensitive plants and those best suited to summer planting. Drought-resistant trees and shrubs include Eucalyptus, California pepper, California sycamore (drought tolerant once established), coast live oak, Italian buckthorn and oleander.

Let Roses Rest: Stop fertilizing roses, water sparingly and don't cut dead flowers. This will let plants make rose hips (fruits) to allow a smooth transition to winter dormancy.

Plant cool season vegetables: Pull out summer vegetables that have stopped producing. Buy six packs of seasonal vegetables including cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, garlic, peas, spinach, Brussels sprouts, lettuce and rutabaga. Plant them in well cultivated and amended soil.

Spruce up perennials: Thin out perennials including Shasta daisies, callas and yarrow. Prune overgrown and dead stems, preferably almost to the ground. When the plants grow back, they will fuller with a less straggly appearance.

Herb season: Hardy herbs that can be planted in fall include garlic, oregano, parsley, rosemary, chives, cilantro, dill, fennel and thyme. Basil goes to flower in fall so harvest and dry the leaves and use them for winter cooking.

Cut back on watering: Unless we experience unusually strong and prolonged hot Santa Ana winds, gardeners can reduce the amount of water for their lawn, garden, trees and shrubs. Make sure water timers are shut off when it rains.

For more gardening tips, go to www.agromin.com.

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About Agromin:

Agromin manufactures premium soil products for the farmers, landscapers and consumers. Agromin is also the green waste recycler for over 50 Southern California communities. Each month, Agromin receives and processes thousands of tons of urban wood and green waste. Agromin then uses a safe, organic and scientific system to formulate its soil products from the processed recycled green waste. The result is more vigorous and healthier plants and gardens, and on the conservation side, more room in landfills and less greenhouse gas emissions. Agromin is the U.S. Composting Council's "Composter of the Year."

September Gardening Tips

2009-09-14T11:55:00.001-07:00

While most gardeners around the country are winding down their gardens for the year, Southern California gardeners can plant a fresh crop of vegetables and blooms in September and October for enjoyment during fall and winter, says Agromin, an Oxnard-based manufacturer of premium soil products and one of the state's largest green materials recycling companies.

Prepare Your Soil For Fall Flowers: Remove annuals. Break up and till the soil and generously add compost or organic planting mix. You may want to wait a week or two before adding fresh plants. This will give weeds enough time to germinate. Remove the weeds while they are small so they will be less of a headache later on.

Plant Your Winter Flower Garden: Begin planting your fall and winter flower garden towards the end of September. While blasts of hot, Santa Ana winds will blow from September through November, September nights are generally cool and days pleasantly warm--perfect growing conditions. Your fall garden can include calendula, delphiniums, larkspur, Iceland poppy, pansies, snapdragon and stock. In shady areas, plant primrose, daisies and cineraria.

Trim Perennials: Perennials are beginning to lose their summer luster. Trim excess plant growth and remove sagging summer flowers.

Plant Wildflowers: Instead of scattering wildflower seeds on the surface of the soil and hope they will grow, for best results, rake the soil gently, spread the seeds and cover lightly with soil. The seeds will begin to germinate once wet weather arrives.

Plant Spring Bulbs: Spring bulbs will soon be available at local nurseries. Now is the time to plant bulbs for such plants as tulips, daffodils and hyacinth.

Plant Your Vegetables: When summer vegetable plants stop producing a robust crop (late September or October), remove the plants and replace them with vegetable plants that will produce through winter. Cool weather vegetables include cabbage, peas, broccoli, lettuce and green onions.

Prepare for the Santa Ana Winds: Santa Ana winds can wreck havoc on newly planted trees, shrubs and gardens. New, shallow root systems can't replace water as fast as water is drawn from leaves by the winds. The winds can devastate a garden in a matter of days if water is not provided. When winds kick up, be prepared to quickly get out the garden hose and give your plants the moisture they need.

For more gardening tips, go to www.agromin.com.

The Deal: 99 Cent Only Stores' organic potting soil

2009-08-24T09:49:00.001-07:00

The Deal: 99 Cent Only Stores' organic potting soil

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Lessons From The Garden - 805 Living

2009-08-10T09:33:00.001-07:00

Soils & Mulches From Recycled Green Materials Now At Ojai Outlets

2009-08-10T09:06:00.000-07:00

Soil products and mulches made from materials collected each week from residential green waste bins in Ventura County are now available at three Ojai outlets.

Planting mix, potting soil, vegetable garden mix and other soil products are produced by green waste recycler Agromin. They are available in bags at Wachter Hay & Grain (114 S. Montgomery St.) and Mountain Meadows Nursery (245 Old Baldwin Rd.). They are also sold in bulk at Greg’s Rents and Equipment Sales (420 Ventura Ave., Oakview).

Agromin was recently named "Composter of the Year" by the U.S. Composting Council (USCC). Agromin compost is also USCC certified, meaning it meets the USCC standards for compost content and its soil products are clean and safe. Agromin compost complies with the requirements of the Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI), meaning it can be used in certified organic farm production and food processing according to the USDA National Organic Program.

"Communities are striving to become more sustainable," says Bill Camarillo, Agromin CEO. "One way is through recycling our green waste at a local level." Residential grass clippings, leaves and branches are cleaned of any non-green materials, chopped and laid out in composting rows at one of Agromin' recycling locations.. The material is turned and watered until microorganisms naturally "compost" the materials into rich, organic soil. The compost and mulch products are then bagged for consumer use or distributed onto agricultural lands throughout the county.

"We all want to be more mindful of our natural resources," says Camarillo. "Using soil products made from local green waste is an easy way to help close the recycling loop."

For more information about green recycling, go to www.agromin.com.

Agromin Receives California Resource Recovery Association's 2009 Leadership in Organics Award

2009-08-05T10:14:00.000-07:00

OXNARD, CALIF.--Agromin, an Oxnard-based manufacturer of premium soil products and one of the state's largest green materials recycling companies, was honored with the California Resource Recovery Association (CRRA) 2009 Dave Hardy Leadership in Organics Award. The award was presented at the August 4 CRRA annual conference in Rancho Mirage.

Agromin was one of 10 government agencies and private sector companies honored for their innovative recycling programs. Specifically, the CRRA Dave Hardy Leadership in Organics Award is given to the business, government agency, community-based organization or school that has shown excellence in the production, marketing and utilization of organic materials.

In 1990, California passed Assembly Bill 939, mandating all cities and counties to divert 50 percent of their waste from landfills by 2000. Since then, many jurisdictions have adopted "Zero Waste" goals. “Each year it is great to see the amazing programs that we have going on in the state," says Julie Muir, CRRA president. "Between the initiatives of local government, federal agencies, nonprofits, individuals and small private businesses, it’s no wonder California is a leader in resource conservation, and well on its way toward Zero Waste.”

"Agromin is instrumental in helping cities comply with the AB 939 mandate," says Bill Camarillo, Agromin CEO. Each year, the company receives and processing over 300,000 tons of organics (green waste, wood waste, food and other waste) that would have otherwise ended up in landfills producing greenhouse gas emissions. "While many businesses accept organic waste, few specialize in the sustainable processing, managing, recycling and marketing of the materials as we do," notes Camarillo.

Agromin offers green materials diversion services to waste haulers, landfills and municipalities and then converts the diverted organics into more than 200 types of sustainable products including compost, mulch and soil amendments for consumers, municipalities, agriculture and landscapers. It processes more than 300,000 tons of materials a year from more than 50 communities in California. In January, Agromin was named "Composter of the Year" by the U.S. Composting Council.

The CRRA is the largest and oldest affiliate recycling organization in the country. Founded in 1974, CRRA is a non-profit organization dedicated to resource conservation through the practices of reuse, recycling and composting. It works to expand markets for recycled materials and promote sustainable materials policies. Its members belong to every facet of the industry – nonprofits, waste haulers, recyclers, state, federal and local government officials, and recycled product manufactures.

For more information about Agromin, go to www.agromin.com. For information about CRRA, go to http://www.crra.com.

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Santa Paula and Fillmore's Recycled Green Materials Now Available As Soil Products at Five Local Outlets

2009-07-21T17:16:00.001-07:00

Soil products and mulches made from materials collected each week from the green waste bins of Santa Paula and Fillmore residents are now available at five area outlets.

Planting mix, potting soil, vegetable garden mix and other soil products are produced by green waste recycler Agromin. They are available at AG Rx (186 Telegraph Rd., Fillmore), Apco Ag & Irrigation (17905 E. Telegraph Rd., Santa Paula, Fillmore Rentals (215 Palm St., Fillmore), Fruit Growers Supply Company (980 W. Telegraph Rd., Santa Paula) and Heritage Do It Best Hardware (568 W. Main St., Santa Paula).

Agromin was recently named "Composter of the Year" by the U.S. Composting Council (USCC). Agromin compost is also USCC certified, meaning it meets the USCC standards for compost content and its soil products are clean and safe. Agromin compost complies with the requirements of the Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI), meaning it can be used in certified organic farm production and food processing according to the USDA National Organic Program.

"Communities are striving to become more sustainable," says Bill Camarillo, Agromin CEO. "One way is through recycling our green waste at a local level. Besides use by residents, much of the soil products created from local green materials is used by municipalities, agriculture and landscapers. Limoneira Company uses mulch from green materials processed at Agromin's 10-acre processing site on Limoneira property in Santa Paula. We all want to be more mindful of our natural resources. Using soil products made from local green waste is an easy way to help close the recycling loop."

For more information about green recycling, go to www.agromin.com.

Agromin Moves Headquarters, Maintenance and Wholesale Operations to Oxnard

2009-07-10T11:36:00.000-07:00

Agromin, the green materials recycler for communities throughout Ventura County and a manufacturer of premium soil products, has moved its headquarters, maintenance facility and wholesale operations to Oxnard.

Previously housed in sites throughout the county, Agromin's consolidation into a centrally located 6,000 square foot facility will cut down on employee driving. "With less employees on the road, we will reduce our carbon footprint," says Bill Camarillo, Agromin CEO. "And, because everything is under one roof, we can better coordinate our production and business services."

Agromin is designated a Climate Action Leader by the California Climate Action Registry, a non-profit organization originally formed by the State of California. Members voluntarily promise to monitor and register greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Registry members that have successfully verified their emissions inventory earn the status of Climate Action Leader. "We are committed to doing everything we can to reduce our GHG emissions and being good stewards of the environment," explains Camarillo. "Our vision is to become an entirely sustainable, carbon-neutral, energy-efficient company."

Agromin's new location is at 201 Kinetic Dr., Oxnard. The new telephone number is 805-485-9200. Commercial wholesale bulk soil products (no retail) are available at the facility.

Agromin Products Are Best For Your Garden - Trash Flash, Summer 2009

2009-06-26T11:45:00.000-07:00

Growing Produce - Story on Agomin-Limoneira Partnership

2009-05-31T12:53:00.000-07:00

May 2009

This past January, the California Institute for Rural Studies released a new report titled "California Water Stewards: Innovative On-Farm Water Management Practices." The report highlights several of these growers, whose efforts reflect important strategies for stewarding the state's limited water resources. Keep reading for more information on some of the water saving practices these growers are implementing.

Sustainability is a high priority to Limoneira Company, as the Ventura County based company's 115-year history can attest. They grow a variety of fruit and nut crops on 7,000 acres in Southern California, including approximately 3,000 acres of lemons and avocados grown in Santa Paula, CA. Part of Limoneira’s success lies in their dedication to building partnerships with the community and other companies that share their vision.

In response to the Integrated Waste Management Act of 1989, Limoneira Company formed a partnership with Agromin Corporation to help Ventura County meet required reductions in waste delivered to landfills. The partnership, formed in 2004, mutually benefits both companies. Limoneira provides Agromin with access to five acres of land, on which Agromin produces organic mulch and compost from municipal green waste collected from Ventura County residents. In exchange, Agromin provides Limoneira with valuable soil amendments for their farming operations.

According to Gus Gunderson, Head of Southern Farming Operations, and Ely Key, Special Projects Manager, the organic mulch helps improve both soil structure and water efficiency. As Gus explains, "We are confident that the Agromin product has been helping improve orchard health because after applying mulch to the orchard floor we have seen an increase in overall tree health and productivity. As we add the organic matter, we are adding benefits to the soil structure; improving soil tilth and microbial populations. We are getting better intake of water and better intake of nutrients, which in turn gives us better root systems."

Water-Saving Practices
--Limoneira applies organic mulch/compost on their lemon and avocado orchards. Organic mulch reduces the need for water by holding moisture in the soil and reducing the amount of water lost through evaporation.
--Limoneira contracts with Fruit Growers Laboratory to help monitor their soil and water quality, which helps them evaluate soil moisture levels and avoid ground water contamination.
--Limoneira converted to low-flow micro-sprinklers and modified furrows with micro-tubes (spaghetti-tube) emitters to irrigate crops.
--Using no-till farming methods in the orchards, they are able to reduce soil erosion and improve soil moisture holding capacity.
Benefits
--Compost improves soil structure by reducing bulk density in clay soils and increasing water-holding capacity in sandy soils. Improved soil structure produces better root structures and improves air and water infiltration.
--Mulch holds the soil in place, reducing soil erosion and associated negative impacts on water quality.
--Mulch increases organic matter in the soil, which in turn increases the amount of nutrients available to the trees and plants and reduces the need for chemical fertilizer.
--Organic mulch is beneficial for the maintenance of microorganisms. It provides food and a stable environment, with a constant soil temperature, in which the microorganisms thrive.
--Organic mulch dramatically reduces weed growth and herbicide use.
--Mulch improves tree and plant health, leading to increased plant yield and improved fruit quality. Research conducted by the University of California Cooperative Extension also indicates that mulch can suppress the growth of Phytophthora and reduce the appearance of avocado thrips which cause scarring of immature fruit, thereby reducing the need for chemical pesticides.
--The partnership between Limoneira and Agromin has had significant impacts on reducing the amount of green waste entering landfills.
Costs
--The cost of spreading the mulch including equipment and labor is around $350 per acre.
--Limoneira receives the mulch free in exchange for providing Agromin with five acres of land to use for mulch production.
Lessons Learned
--Develop partnerships. By developing a partnership, Agromin Corporation and Limoneira help recycle the community's green waste while providing mulch for Limoneira's orchards and a marketable product for Agromin.