• Agromin Donates Bags of Potting Soil To Habitat For Humanity's Orange County "ReStore" - Friday, April 30, 2010 at 12:37 PM
  • 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.

    Labels: , , , , ,

  • Las Colinas Middle School Donates 130 Pounds of Vegetables to St. Mary's Food Bank - Wednesday, April 21, 2010 at 4:15 PM



  • 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.

    Labels: , , , , , ,

  • Agromin Named a Climate Action Leader - Monday, March 29, 2010 at 12:22 PM
  • 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.

    Labels: , , , , ,

  • Garden Park Elementary School Kids Plant New Garden - Tuesday, March 2, 2010 at 10:28 AM


  • 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.

    Labels: , , , , , , ,

  • Agromin To Offer Spring Soil Tips at Ventura County Home & Garden Show - Tuesday, February 9, 2010 at 10:56 AM
  • 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.

    Labels: , , , , , , ,

  • Much to Do in Southern California Gardens--Even in Winter - Thursday, December 31, 2009 at 9:51 AM
  • 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.

    Labels: , , , , ,

  • Santa Comes Early for Mayflower Preschoolers - Monday, December 28, 2009 at 2:34 PM
  • 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.

    Labels: , , , , , , , ,

  • Christmas Trees Lead Productive Lives After Holidays Are Over - Tuesday, December 22, 2009 at 4:02 PM

  • 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.

    Labels: , , ,

  • December is Time to Spruce of Garden Beds, Plant Spring Flowering Bulbs - Friday, November 27, 2009 at 9:57 AM
  • 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.

    Labels: , , , ,

  • 21st Century Victory Gardens Benefit Today's Hungry - Monday, October 5, 2009 at 3:38 PM

  • 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.

    Labels: , , , , ,

  • September Gardening Tips - Monday, September 14, 2009 at 11:55 AM
  • 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.

    Labels: , , ,

  • Soils & Mulches From Recycled Green Materials Now At Ojai Outlets - at 9:06 AM
  • 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.

    Labels: , , , , , ,

  • Agromin Receives California Resource Recovery Association's 2009 Leadership in Organics Award - Wednesday, August 5, 2009 at 10:14 AM
  • 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.


    ###

    Labels: , , , ,

  • Santa Paula and Fillmore's Recycled Green Materials Now Available As Soil Products at Five Local Outlets - Tuesday, July 21, 2009 at 5:16 PM
  • 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.

    Labels: , , , , , ,

  • Agromin Moves Headquarters, Maintenance and Wholesale Operations to Oxnard - Friday, July 10, 2009 at 11:36 AM
  • 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.

    Labels: , , , , ,

  • Agromin To Collect Green Waste at Thousand Oaks Clean-Up & Recycling Day - Tuesday, May 5, 2009 at 9:11 AM
  • Agromin, a manufacturer of premium soil products and the green materials recycler for Thousand Oaks and other Ventura County communities, will accept residential yard trimmings (i.e., leaves, grass clippings, tree trimmings) from Thousand Oaks residents during Community Clean-Up and Recycling Day, Saturday, May 16. The location for the event is Conejo Creek Park South (23 Freeway at Janss Road exit). Hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

    Agromin will operate an onsite grinder that will process large branches and other green waste. The resulting material will be trucked to one of Agromin's Ventura County processing sites where it will be cleaned and composted and eventually turned into soil products for backyard use. These soil products are available to consumers in the Conejo Valley at Carlson Building Materials (1432 Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks).

    "Recycling green waste helps Thousand Oaks become a more sustainable community," says Bill Camarillo, Agromin's CEO. "Every pound of green waste we can keep out of landfills and reuse in the form of compost here in the city enables Thousand Oaks and its residents to complete the recycling loop."

    Residents must unload their own materials during clean up day. Proof of residency is required. For information on what to bring to the clean-up day, call 805-449-2468. For information about green waste recycling, visit www.agromin.com.

    Labels: , , , ,

  • Plenty of Gardening Choices in May for Southern Calif. Gardeners - Wednesday, April 29, 2009 at 9:28 AM
  • Walk into any nursery during May and you can be overwhelmed with the array of flowers, landscape plants, fruit trees and summer vegetables on display. Keep focused on the needs of your garden and don't be tempted to overbuy, says Agromin, an Oxnard-based manufacturer of premium soil products and one of the state's largest green materials recycling companies.

    Ideal Month for Planting Almost Any Flower: Plant your warm season annuals in May including begonia, chrysanthemum, geranium, marigold, petunia and verbena. While annuals come and go, perennials will bring backyard enjoyment for years to come. Perennials to plant now include African daisy, delphinium, fuchsia and lavender.

    Herb Planting: If you use fresh herbs when cooking, it makes good sense to plant your own herb garden. For the price of a few cut basil leaves from the store, you can plant a small basil plant that will produce dozens of leaves through November. Other herbs to plant are chives, cilantro, dill, fennel, mint, oregano, parsley, rosemary, sage, tarragon and thyme.

    Naturally Reduce Pests: Plenty of brands of pesticides are sold at nurseries and retail stores, many even claiming to be all-natural. To be assured you are not putting harmful chemicals on your flowers, trees and garden, try truly natural options. For example, ladybugs can control infestations of aphids (small round bugs that feed in colonies on vegetable gardens, roses and other plants). If ladybugs are not plentiful in your yard, you can purchase them at most nurseries. To keep the ladybugs in your yard instead of migrating to your neighbors, release them after dark. They only fly in daylight.

    Rethink Your Lawn: Lawn care accounts for about 32 percent of outdoor water use. With water restrictions right around the corner, now is a good time to consider alternatives to a traditional lawn. Low maintenance, drought-tolerant ground cover such as lantana and Acacia redolens and ornamental grasses including fountain grass and deer grass can easily fill in a location where grass once grew. If you can't part with your entire lawn, consider reducing its size.

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

    Labels: , , , , , , ,

  • Third Graders Travel to Agromin to Learn About Green Waste Recycling - Monday, April 27, 2009 at 10:48 AM


  • Third graders from La Mariposa Elementary School in Camarillo traveled to Agromin's Oxnard green materials recycling and composting facility to learn how yard waste is made into compost.

    Dave Green, Agromin's vice-president of marketing, took more than 100 schoolchildren on tours over a three-day period. "Kids got to see firsthand how green waste goes from lawn clippings, tree trimmings and leaves to compost--ready to use in their backyard gardens," says Green.

    The facility processes more than 400,000 pounds of green waste every day. The material is cleaned of any non-green materials, chopped and laid out in composting rows. The material is turned and watered until microorganisms "compost" the materials into rich, organic soil. "The children were amazed how much green material goes through the facility every day and how much green waste we generate," says Julie Hughes a third grade teacher at La Mariposa Elementary School. "When they saw how much trash that people throw in their green recycling barrels they realized that their families must be more careful not to put plastics and other items in the barrel--only greens."

    When the children returned to school after the field trip, Master Gardeners' members spoke to the kids about how families can compost at home. "The kids saw composting on a massive scale at Agromin and then learned how they could do it themselves," says Hughes. "The day tied in nicely with Earth Week."

    Third grader Cameron Welty was particularly fascinated with the huge machines that grind the green material and the steam that comes from the composting piles. "He didn't care much for the smell that comes from the piles, but understood it's part of the process," says his mother Kristen Welty.

    Agromin receives more than 300,000 tons of green waste each year from throughout Southern California including Santa Barbara, Ventura, Los Angeles and Orange Counties. It is processed at five Agromin composting facilities. Agromin's compost is spread onto farmland, mixed into city, school and business landscapes and into consumers' backyards. It is one of the largest green recyclers in California. The U.S. Composting Council named it "Composter of the Year" and Agromin was recently named co-winner of the Ventura County Board of Supervisors' "Climate Change Action Award," sharing the honors with Limoneira Company in the Agricultural Industry category.

    "Through these field trips, we're hoping to teach kids early that green waste recycling is just another part of how we should live our lives," says Green. "And by reusing materials instead of putting them in landfills, we can help create a more sustainable planet."

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

    Labels: , , , , ,

  • Agromin to Give Away 300 Bags of Compost at Thousand Oaks Arbor/Earth Day Celebration - Wednesday, April 8, 2009 at 10:06 AM
  • 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 300 bags of compost during the City of Thousand Oaks/Conejo Recreation and Park District's 12th Annual Arbor/Earth Day celebration. The free event is Saturday, April 25 from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Conejo Creek Park North (1379 East Janss Road behind the Thousand Oaks library). Agromin is an official sponsor.

    "Compost is the most natural material you can use to refresh your soil and prepare it for spring planting," says Bill Camarillo, Agromin CEO. "The compost at the Thousand Oaks Arbor Day event is unique because it's made from locally-collected lawn clippings, leaves and wood."

    Agromin processes more than 300,000 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.

    "More than 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. One of the best ways we can do this is to use a natural process and return it to the land in the form of compost--on farms and orchards, in business landscapes and in our own backyards."

    Agromin, which was recently named "Composter of the Year" by the U.S. Composting Council, will have a booth at the event and Agromin employees will be on hand to answer questions about soil types, mulch and compost. For more information on green material recycling, visit www.agromin.com.

    Labels: , , , , , ,

  • Agromin To Give Away 5 Tons of Compost At Santa Clarita Earth Day Festival - Monday, April 6, 2009 at 6:08 PM
  • Five tons of Agromin compost will be given away to Santa Clarita residents during the Saturday, April 18 Earth Day Festival and 20th Annual Arbor Day Celebration at Central Park (27150 Bouquet Canyon Rd.).

    Agromin is the green materials recycler for Canyon Country, Castaic, Newhall, Saugus, Santa Clarita, Stevenson Ranch and Valencia. The green materials are collected from residents and businesses and delivered to Agromin's Newhall Ranch processing facility. The material is cleaned, chopped and naturally composted. Agromin's products are free of animal waste and sludge.

    "Residents who use the Earth Day compost in their gardens will notice a difference from other soil mixes," says Bill Camarillo, Agromin CEO. "Because of its natural organic make-up, the material is a deep, rich color, packed with nutrients. Your garden will love it and by using compost from recycled green material, you know you're doing your part to help the environment."

    Camarillo says residents can play another important role in the recycling process by putting lawn clippings, leaves and other plant material in residential green recycling containers each week. "This helps close the recycling loop," explains Camarillo. "Those green materials can then be turned into soil amendments that find their way back into your garden."

    Agromin is one of the state's largest green material recyclers and was recently named "Composter of the Year" by the U.S. Composting Council. It receives and processes more than 300,000 tons of wood and green materials each year. Agromin then uses a safe, organic and scientific system to formulate its more than 200 soil products.

    Festival hours are 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. For information on green material recycling, visit www.agromin.com.

    Labels: , , , , , , , ,

  • Agromin Designated a Climate Action Leader by Calif. Climate Action Registry - Monday, March 30, 2009 at 3:55 PM
  • 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 California Climate Action Registry.

    The Climate Action Registry is 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.

    Of the 347 registry members, Agromin is the only green materials recycling company. By joining the California Climate Action Registry, member organizations demonstrate their concern regarding global climate change. By becoming a Climate Action Leader, members are taking action by measuring, verifying and reporting their GHG emissions to the California Registry and to the public.

    "Joining the California Registry and making a commitment now to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions is the right thing to do," says Bill Camarillo, Agromin CEO. "Soon, all businesses will be required to undertake this type of reporting. Agromin has always strived to be a sustainable, carbon-neutral, energy-efficient company. Making the pledge to monitor and report our GHG emissions through the registry is part of that vision."

    Labels: , , , , , ,

  • Rain Makes Gardens Grow At Las Colinas Middle School - Tuesday, March 3, 2009 at 4:02 PM


  • Recent winter rains have given a boost to the Beautification/Life Lab garden and landscaping student program at Las Colinas Middle School in Camarillo.

    "With the wonderful rain we've been having, our school has never looked so beautiful," says Dianne Polen, Las Colinas Beautification/Life Lab advisor. The school has one of the most committed green programs in the county. Students in summer school planted lettuce, radishes, bell peppers and carrots so when students returned in fall, vegetables were already growing. "A garden gives students the opportunity to try varieties of vegetables that they would not eat otherwise," says Polen. "The gardens are teaching students quite a bit about nutrition and eating healthy."

    Summer vegetables were harvested at the school in October and replaced with Brussels sprouts, spinach, celery, sugar snap peas, lettuce, cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage and onions. The school features seven container gardens and an additional large garden area with room for students in wheelchairs to participate in the gardening experience.

    "Students are now weeding the school flower beds and planting color," says Polen. "We're also attempting to grow grass between two portable classrooms, an area that has been nothing but dirt and mud for several years."

    Agromin, a local soil manufacturer and the green materials recycler for communities throughout Ventura County and Southern California, provided soil for the gardens and landscapes. "We always enjoy helping students with their garden projects," says Bill Camarillo, Agromin CEO. "Teachers can then inject the green materials recycling story into their curriculum. Kids learn about the sustainability benefits of gardening--taking the green materials from the garden, composting them and then placing the resulting soil products back into the garden from which new plants grow. Las Colinas students are learning important environmental lessons as they grow and harvest their gardens."

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

    Labels: , , , , , , , ,

  • Agromin Named "Composter of the Year" by US Composting Council - Tuesday, February 17, 2009 at 8:54 AM
  • CAMARILLO, CALIF.--Agromin, the green materials recycler for more than 90 communities throughout Southern California and a premium soil manufacturer, received the "Composter of the Year" award from the US Composting Council (USCC) at the 17th Annual USCC Conference held in Houston in January.

    The USCC is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to the development, expansion and promotion of the composting industry in the US.

    Every year, the USCC evaluates and reviews the nominees for its Composter of the Year award. The award goes to the commercial-scale composting facility that has displayed excellence in both compost production and marketing/distribution. Additionally, the facility must be in operation for a minimum of five years and in regulatory compliance for the last three years.

    Agromin compost is USCC certified, meaning they have met the USCC standards for compost content and its soil products are clean and safe. As a participant in the USCC's Seal of Testing Assurance (STA) program, Agromin voluntarily tests its products to ensure their quality.

    "Everyone who disposes materials in their green recycling barrel each week is doing their part to close the recycling loop," says Bill Camarillo, Agromin CEO. "Compost is made from the green materials and the soil products find their way back into landscapes and agricultural orchards and fields. Recycling is the one thing we can all do that's been proven to reduce waste and make our communities more sustainable."

    Agromin is one of the largest organics recyclers in California, recycling more than 300,000 tons of green materials in 2008. Agromin receives the green materials (i.e., leaves, grass clippings, brush, wood), and processes and composts the materials at its five facilities. It then produces 240 soil products including compost, bark and mulches for use by consumers, municipalities, agriculture and landscapers.

    For more information about Agromin, go to www.agromin.com.

    Labels: , , , , , , ,

  • - Friday, January 23, 2009 at 3:21 PM
  • Agromin, the green materials recycler for 19 cities in Ventura, Santa Barbara and Los Angeles counties, recycled 302,139 tons of green materials in 2008 collected from residents and businesses. The amount recycled was a 20 percent increase over the 2007 figure of 240,583 tons.

    Green materials including lawn clippings, leaves, brush and wood are delivered each day to Agromin's five recycling facilities. The company then cleans, processes and composts the material into soil products. The products are returned to the earth when used by farmers, landscapers and consumers.

    "We've created a sustainable process where very little is wasted," says Bill Camarillo, Agromin's CEO. "Participation by residents and businesses is critical--both on the recycling and reuse sides. Green materials recycling keeps waste out of landfills and reduces greenhouse gas emissions. Plus, as a community, we're making better use of our resources."

    Agromin compost is listed by the non-profit Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) so it is used in certified organic production or food processing in accordance to the USDA National Organic Program standards. Agromin soil products are also approved by the U.S. Composting Council (USCC). 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.

    Labels: , , , , , ,

  • Christmas Trees Lead Productive Lives After The Holidays - Friday, December 12, 2008 at 3:41 PM
  • Big Wave Dave's Christmas Trees and green materials recycler Agromin are teaming up to spread the word, that with the help of Ventura and Santa Barbara County residents, Christmas trees will have a productive life long after the holidays.

    Approximately 70,000 to 100,000 cut Christmas trees are purchased from tree lots in the counties each year. After Christmas, the trees are collected from residences and recycled into soil products for use locally by agricultural operations, landscapers and consumers," says Bill Camarillo, CFO of Agromin, the green materials recycler for 19 Ventura and Santa Barbara cities. "In as little as 60 days, trees go from being the center of holiday festivities to mulch used on farmland and in gardens and landscapes."

    To help with the after-Christmas recycling effort, Camarillo says residents should be sure trees are free of ornaments, tinsel, nails and tree stands before placing them in green recycling bins. "Because of these efforts, your Christmas tree may be part of the mulch you use in your garden next spring or it may have helped grow lemons, avocados or strawberries on local farms," says Camarillo.

    Dave Lidren, owner of Big Wave Dave's Christmas Trees with lots in Oxnard, Camarillo, Ventura, Moorpark and Santa Barbara, says the cut Christmas tree industry is part of the sustainable movement. "We receive our trees from Pacific Northwest farms so the natural forests are untouched," says Lidren. "For every tree harvested, growers plant one or more replacement trees."

    Lidren sees considerable green benefits of live Christmas trees when comparing them to artificial trees. "Live trees are all natural and are 100 percent biodegradable. Artificial trees are made of non-biodegradable plastics and metals," says Lidren. "While growing, live trees absorb carbon dioxide from the air; artificial trees are made of petroleum-based products that pollute the air. Live trees are recycled; artificial trees wind up in landfills and could take decades to decompose. Plus, live trees are a renewable resource while the petroleum used to make the plastic in artificial trees is a non-renewable resource."

    Lidren says any unsold trees from his lots are recycled. "Nothing goes to waste," says Lidren. An Agromin green recycling display will be at every lot, reminding shoppers that Christmas is just one stop in the trees' lifecycle.

    Labels: , , , , , , ,

  • St. Rose of Lima School and Church Get Landscaping Facelift - Tuesday, December 2, 2008 at 4:51 PM

  • St. Rose of Lima School and Catholic Church in Simi Valley is enjoying a newly landscaped parking lot and play area courtesy of volunteers and more than 10 tons of donated mulch from Agromin.

    The church and school on Royal Avenue needed a parking lot makeover to repair cracks and potholes and to expand and improve the safety of the play area of its school facility. Once the hardscape was refurbished and planters were placed between the parking lot and playground, the church parishioners turned their sights on "greening" the area. "Families donated funds to pay for trees, flowers and groundcover," says Rick Casanova, who along with Pat Shaffer, volunteered to oversee the project. The items were purchased at a discount from Enchanted Way Nursery.

    Almost 500 plant products, including sycamore, amber and ginko trees, day lilies, lantana, viburnum and ground cover, were selected. "The vegetation will be easy to maintain and is drought tolerant," says Casanova.

    More than 125 volunteers dug trenches, ran irrigation lines and planted trees and plants over two days in September and October. The Knights of Columbus hosted a free barbeque lunch for the volunteers.


    "We put a high priority on the safety of our children," says the church pastor Father Joseph Shea, when explaining why the project was needed. "We also try to bring beauty into people's lives. We're now protecting our children from parking lot traffic with beautiful landscaping. Parish members all worked together to complete the project. It had been 20 year since we last upgraded the parking area and we're delighted with the results."

    "It's nice to see greenery we never had before," says Casanova. "We brought the site up to date. We are very grateful that Agromin donated the soil for the project."

    Each week, Agromin receives leaves, grass clippings, wood and other green materials from the recycling containers collected at curbside throughout the county. From there, the materials are composted and used to create soil products. These products are then returned to the community in the form of mulch, bark and soil amendments.

    "The green materials we received from Simi Valley residents could very well be in the 10 tons of mulch used at St. Rose," says Bill Camarillo, CFO of Agromin. "These kinds of landscaping projects are a great example of how the community can 'close the green recycling loop.' We're happy to help." One of Agromin's green materials recycling facilities is at the Simi Valley Landfill.

    Labels: , , , , ,

  • Agromin Receives Two Awards For Its Recycling Efforts - Wednesday, November 19, 2008 at 12:05 PM

  • Agromin, the green materials recycler for 19 cities in Ventura, Santa Barbara and Los Angeles counties, received two awards on October 17 in recognition of the company's long-standing recycling efforts.

    Agromin received the first-ever recycling award from the Ventura County Integrated Waste Management Division. The award was given for Agromin's leadership not only in recycling but marketing all of the green waste in Ventura County.

    "The Integrated Waste Management Division of Ventura County appreciates
    Agromin's willingness to experiment with new methods of processing difficult
    to recycle materials," says Sandy Lomeli, environmental resource analyst at the county.

    Agromin's second award came from the Ventura County Board of Supervisors for the company's "outstanding recycling and waste diversion efforts."

    “I am proud of Agromin’s growing leadership in green waste recycling that is recognized throughout Ventura County and the State," says Ventura County Supervisor Kathy Long. "Agromin’s recycling efforts cut waste that overwhelm our landfills, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, curbs erosion, and improves water efficiency.”

    Each month, Agromin receives and processes 260,000 tons of urban wood and green waste from local residents and businesses. Agromin then uses a safe, organic and scientific system to formulate soil products from the processed recycled green materials.

    "Our company's primary goal is to complete the recycling loop," says Bill Camarillo, Agromin CFO. "Each week, green materials collected from curbside are composted and processed until they become quality soil products for use in backyards, farms and commercial landscapes," says Bill Camarillo, Agromin CFO. "The grass clippings and leaves you dispose of in your recycling bin comes back in the form of compost or mulch products for your lawn or garden as one of the reuse options."


    Agromin compost is approved by the non-profit Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) so it is used in certified organic production or food processing in accordance to the USDA National Organic Program standards. Agromin soil products are certified and approved for organic production by the U.S. Composting Council (USCC). The certification means Agromin has met the USCC standards for compost content and its soil products are clean and safe.

    Labels: , , , ,

  • Environmental Innovation and Improving the Lemon Crop - Friday, August 22, 2008 at 5:19 PM


  • California Fresh Fruit

    August 3, 2008


    Imagine using less water and less fertilizers on your crops, yet produce higher yields and healthier plants and trees. That’s the result of a unique partnership between agricultural giants Limoneira Company, The Newhall Land & Farming Company and the second largest green waste recycler in California, Agromin.Both ag companies use mulch produced by Agromin on hundreds of acres of farmland.


    Limoneira, one of California’s largest agribusinesses, partnered with Agromin in 2004 to develop a five-acre green materials recycling facility on Limoneira land in Santa Paula. The facility receives 200 tons of green materials a day from surrounding municipalities, which is then converted into about 125 tons of mulch. The mulch is distributed throughout Limoneira’s lemon and avocado orchards.


    “Our trees have healthier root systems because of the nutrients in the mulch,” says Alex Teague, senior vice president at Santa Paula-based Limoneira Company. “Crop production has increased 10 percent and the quality of fruit has improved.”


    Since using Agromin mulch, Teague says Limoneira’s water usage is down 32 percent. So is the use of herbicides and pesticides. Erosion is also in check.


    The partnership happened almost by accident. Agromin was looking for a new location for one of its facilities. “Limoneira is a leader in sustainable agriculture. When we saw the opportunity to obtain high quality urban mulch from a quality operator, we jumped at the chance,” says Teague. “We are guaranteed, day in and day out, quality materials for our land. Plus, we are helping the environment by keeping waste out of the landfill.”


    The Agromin-Newhall Land partnership is relatively new. Formed in 2007, Agromin maintains a seven-acre green materials recycling facility on the Newhall Ranch. Agromin receives about 250 tons a day of green materials, collected locally from Valencia and the Santa Clarita Valley. The facility produces about 100 tons of mulch which is used on 250 acres of Valencia orange and lemon groves.


    “Before partnering with Agromin, we used synthetic-based fertilizers to maintain our fruit trees,” says Mike Mendes, general manager of agriculture for Newhall Land. “Now we are reusing a sustainable mulch product and reducing expenses at the same time. By working with Agromin, we only incur the expense of spreading the materials.”


    Mendes notes that the company now uses less herbicide since mulch helps prevent weed growth. “Our trees are healthy and the soil fertility has improved. The soil is now full of earthworms,” he says.Creating a sustainable process was also important to Newhall Land when deciding to use recycled green materials for its agriculture operations. “What was once a waste product is now a valuable resource for our company,” says Mendes. “We’re able to use local green materials that would otherwise end up in a landfill, turn it into mulch, and use it locally in our orchards. We are completing the circle of environmental sustainability.”


    Agromin is the green materials recycler for 19 cities in Ventura, Santa Barbara and parts of Los Angeles counties. It receives over 20,000 tons a day of urban green waste (grass clippings, leaves, branches) at its five processing facilities. The materials are then cleaned of plastics, glass, paper and other “non-green” items. It is chopped and spread into long composting rows where it is watered and turned for about 45 days. Tiny microbes transform the green waste into nutrient-rich compost and eventually mulch.


    “Facilities onsite at Limoneira and Newhall make it easy to distribute the mulch directly to the orchards,” says Bill Camarillo, Agromin’s CFO. “Our three other processing locations distribute products to additional ag companies, municipalities, landscapers and to consumers who can buy in bulk or bag.”


    Agromin’s compost complies with the requirements of the Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI). Agromin is one of only five companies in the country that produces plant-only compost products approved by the non-profit organization. OMRI-listed products may be used in certified organic production or food processing according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Organic Program.


    “OMRI approves the products used to grow or produce organic foods,” explains Camarillo. “Farmers who grow organic products can use our ‘Compost 100’ in their fields as part of their effort to comply with USDA organic standards.” Agromin soil products are also certified by the U.S. Composting Council (USCC). The certification means Agromin has met the USCC standards for compost content and its soil products are clean and safe.


    “We cannot continue to put synthetic products into the soil and expect it to be healthy,” says Teague. “Using mulch made from urban green waste in a natural fit. It’s common sense to work with Mother Nature not against her.” ■

    Labels: , , , ,

  • Cut Down On Outdoor Watering Even As Weather Heats Up - Thursday, July 3, 2008 at 9:32 AM
  • July temperatures can easily reach triple digits. Smart watering techniques can keep gardens and lawns from wilting during the summer's hottest days, say experts at Agromin, a Camarillo-based manufacturer of premium soil products.

    Place Mulch Around Your Plants, Gardens And Trees: Mulch consists of various sizes of chopped wood, usually made from recycled trees and other wood materials. Place about 2 inches of mulch around plants and trees to keep roots cool even during the heat of the day. This reduces moisture loss and suppresses weed growth. It also reduces erosion so its use on hillsides and slopes is ideal.

    Water In Early Morning: Use trickle irrigation, soaker hoses or other water-conserving methods. It's also best to water in the early morning, especially during hot summer months, to reduce evaporation. Apply about an inch of water-- enough that it soaks 6 to 8 inches into the soil. With a mulched landscape, you can usually reduce watering schedules to two or three times a week.

    Lawn Water Care: It's best to water only when the lawn really needs it, and then to water slowly and deeply. This trains the grass roots to reach deeper into the ground. Frequent shallow watering trains roots to stay near the surface, making the lawn less able to find moisture during dry periods. Every lawn's watering needs are unique: they depend on rainfall, grass and soil type and the general health of the lawn, but even in very dry areas, no established home lawn requires daily watering.

    Summer Garden Planting: If you haven't had time to plant a garden, you still can grow a variety of vegetables in July and enjoy vegetables by late summer and early fall. These include beans, beets, carrots, corn, cantaloupe, okra squash and spinach. Flowers such as gladiolus, calla lilies, marigolds, zinnias and dahlias can also be planted in July

    Caring For Your Rose Bushes: Remove dried flowers by cutting back to the first leaf after rose flower clusters. This will stimulate growth.

    Labels: , , , , ,

  • Agromin wins key organic approval - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 at 10:15 AM
  • Certification to help farm sales
    By Jim McLain Wednesday, June 11, 2008
    Ventura County Star

    Agromin Inc., a Camarillo company that uses green waste to manufacture some 250 soil and mulch products, has won a key designation that is expected to boost its sales to the organic farming industry.

    Company officials were notified last month that Agromin products meet the requirements of the nonprofit Organic Materials Review Institute, an executive said.
    The designation means that Agromin's composted products may be used in certified organic production or food processing according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Organic Program.

    "This has tremendous potential for us because now this allows us to sell our composted products into the organics agricultural marketplace," said Bill Camarillo, Agromin's chief financial officer. "We had not been able to do that before."

    Agromin is one of only five companies in the country that produce composted products from plants that are approved by the Eugene, Ore.-based organization.

    Camarillo said Agromin will include the OMRI approval in its advertising and packaging labels. The designation, he said, assures growers that Agromin products contain no chemicals or human or animal waste, and it certifies that the company uses composting procedures that kill any pathogens and tests its products regularly.

    The company recycles more than 250,000 tons of green waste annually from businesses and residences in 19 cities in Ventura, Santa Barbara and Los Angeles counties, including all 10 in Ventura County. It uses the grass, leaves, branches and other plant material to make a variety of topsoils, soil amendments and mulches for commercial farming operations and backyard gardeners.

    Launched in 1972 as a wholly owned subsidiary of California Wood Recycling Corp. in Ventura, Agromin employs 70 people in six processing facilities in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties. Company sales last year totaled about $12 million, Camarillo said.
    The OMRI designation should boost sales, he added, because increasing numbers of growers are switching to organic crop production. Organic farmers use fertilizers and pesticides made from plants and animals instead of manufactured chemicals.

    Agromin has strategic partnerships with the Limoneira Co., Newhall Land and Farming Co. and other agricultural companies to turn their green waste into a variety of mulches and soil products for their crops. Because mulches retain moisture, their use enables growers to reduce irrigation, Camarillo said.

    The company also is working to earn green waste recycling agreements with additional cities, he added. He noted that state law requires cities to recycle half their total waste by 2012.

    Camarillo said Agromin is working with the state on a study that the company hopes will show that organic green-waste recycling reduces the release of carbon emissions and greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.

    Labels: , , , , , , ,