Organics

The Scoop Podcast: From Dairy Waste to Organic Gold, The Rise of BenVireo TerraLux

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 19:35:19 GMT

BenVireo TerraLux is a new product that checks just about every box for organic growers says Gina Colfer, sustainable solutions agronomy manager at Wilbur-Ellis.

“Our solutions really are focused on helping the grower be more efficient with their ag inputs,” she says. “So we really are focused in trying to find products that help growers farm more holistically and sustainably and efficiently.”

And The Scoop readers agree that BenVireo TerraLux is an example of that as they recently voted it as runner-up in The Scoop’s 19th annual New Product of the Year contest for 2025. Read more about that here.

As Colfer explains, BenVireo TerraLux gives organic growers looking for high-efficiency nitrogen solutions across a wide range of crops (specialty vegetables, nuts, fruit, and row crops). It’s a novel form of organic nitrogen consisting of 50% ammonium and 50% nitrate, which is biologically derived from a true waste stream—dairy lagoon effluent.

It’s filtered down to 1 micron; neutral pH (~7.0); low salt index, so it can be applied via drip irrigation, micro-sprinklers, foliar applications, and drone applications.

According to Colfer, four factors distinguish this product from traditional organic fertilizers:

Immediate Plant Availability: Unlike most organic nitrogen sources that require time to mineralize in the soil, BenVireo TerraLux provides 100% plant-available nitrogen. It bypasses the “guessing game” of soil mineralization, allowing for precise “spoon-feeding” during peak demand.
No Biofilm or Clogging: With a 0:1 carbon-to-nitrogen ratio, the product contains no carbon to feed microbial biofilm. This prevents the common issue of clogged drip tapes and tanks associated with organic liquids.
Improved Handling & Odor: BenVireo TerraLux has a mild, non-offensive ammonia scent and is significantly easier to handle and is a selling point.
Sustainability Profile: It transforms a problematic waste stream (dairy effluent) into a high-value input. The process also creates a secondary byproduct—a 4-4-2 dry crumble fertilizer—ensuring nearly total utilization of the raw material.

Why it's Never Too Late to Grow

Wed, 31 Dec 2025 20:04:43 GMT

When Steve Hackett retired in 2020, he had no idea he was about to discover a new calling as a farmer. As he began tending to his gardens and orchards, his journey resonated with a global audience and transformed him into FarmerSteve727, an accidental TikTok sensation to tens of thousands.

At 60, Hackett and his wife bought five acres in northern Connecticut and gave new life to a neglected former horse farm that had gone wild after two decades of little care. Instead of seeing an overwhelming mess, Hackett says he saw possibility. Followers on TikTok saw the same, and his account eventually grew to 67,000 followers.

“I never did gardening before or anything,” he says. “But I always wanted to have fruit trees … so I said, I’m going to put a little orchard in, and I’m going to start gardening.”

Hackett dived into research on food forests and permaculture, determined to grow as much food as possible, while making it as visually appealing as possible. Over time, he planted about 30 fruit trees, mostly peaches, apples and pears, along with a few cherries. Planted in 2022, the trees are finally starting to reward his patience, especially the peaches, which have become a household staple.

The work started simply with clearing brush, pulling poison ivy and imagining what the land could become. Curious neighbors watched from lawn chairs as he slowly carved out garden beds and experimented with raised beds, vegetables, pumpkins and, eventually, towering sunflowers. These same 12-to-14-foot sunflowers led to Hackett’s first viral video.

Today, the harvests are far beyond the “two or three tomatoes” he once celebrated. He cans, freezes and shares generously. “I give a lot away … the senior center gets bags every week,” he says.

Screenshot from FarmerSteve727’s TikTok account.

(Courtesy of FarmerSteve727 via TikTok)

TikTok wasn’t part of the original plan. It started as a family suggestion, sort of a joke, he says, until his first videos suddenly drew an audience. Overnight, FarmerSteve727 found 1,000 followers; within a year, he had 8,000. Then came the idea that changed everything: a sunflower “room” beside his koi pond.

He planted the structure of sunflowers in a semi-circle, illuminated it with lights, added chairs and waited. Hackett says he filmed the progress as the sunflower room came to life.

That first video of the sunflowers is when his followers started to increase exponentially.

“I put a video on in June, and overnight, I got 17,000 more followers. I think the original video got 2.5 million views, and then I put a second one on, and that one got like 1.8 million views, and then it took off from there.”

By that time, Hackett says he was up to about 34,000 followers within a couple of weeks, and the growth just continued, he says.

People connected with the creativity, but also the message, realizing that if he could do it, maybe they could, too.

Despite his online popularity, Hackett doesn’t see himself as an expert. He sees himself as a student who happens to share the journey.

He’s learned what many lifelong growers eventually do: The garden runs on patience.

“It isn’t instant,” he says. “Once you plant something, everything in the world is going to try to eat it. It’s a challenge, but I really enjoy it.”

He’s also found unexpected joy in foods he never thought he’d love, particularly squash and zucchini, and in the simple rhythm of tending, harvesting, cooking and preserving.

This year, after undergoing surgery and scaling back pumpkins, he focused instead on expanding a sunflower maze and thinking about what’s next. Part of that future involves rebuilding much of the garden so he can film clearer how-to videos and talk more directly to the camera.

TikTok viewers might soon see “Cooking with Farmer Steve,” along with new raised beds, longer-form storytelling and more behind-the-scenes glimpses into the work.

“I want to rebuild it and make better videos of how I did it,” Hackett says. “And I’m going to add something special to the sunflower maze.”

What started as a retirement project has become an orchard, a garden, a creative playground and a source of encouragement to thousands of people who dream of growing something themselves.

Maybe that’s why Hackett resonates with his followers. He didn’t start farming at 20 or 40. He began at 60 with curiosity, time and the willingness to learn out loud.

And standing inside a glowing room of sunflowers taller than he ever imagined, Farmer Steve says he’s still just getting started.

Planting Big Dreams: America’s Youngest Farmer Growing More Than Produce

Mon, 06 Oct 2025 19:01:54 GMT

At just 10 years old, Kendall Rae Johnson is the youngest certified farmer in the U.S., and her hard work has already earned her a full scholarship to South Carolina State University.

Johnson’s journey started in her family’s backyard in Georgia when her great-grandmother taught her to grow collard greens from clippings. That simple tradition sparked a love of farming that quickly grew into something bigger.

Johnson’s accomplishments grew quickly, and by the time she was 6, she was recognized as the youngest certified farmer in the U.S. At 9, she received a full-ride scholarship in agriculture from South Carolina State University — the youngest to receive this honor as well. She’s gone on speaking tours, written a book and is about to publish an accompanying workbook, launched a marinara sauce and plans to create a natural skincare line. Then in 2023, a Georgia resolution declared that March 23 would be recognized as Kendall Rae Johnson Day. All by the ripe old age of 10.

When asked how it felt to receive the news of the scholarship, Johnson says, “Well, I just felt happy and excited that someone believed in me enough to give me a full-ride scholarship to college at only 10 years old.”

As a USDA National Urban Agriculture Youth Ambassador, Johnson says she wants to share her experience to help other youth achieve their dreams.

“I want them to know they can dream big and with the right tools and support, we can make those dreams come true,” Johnson says.

Kendall Rae Johnson’s journey is proof that age isn’t a barrier in agriculture. With vision, passion and help from parents and community, you can plant seeds of change — and watch them bloom.

Your Next Read: How the Youngest Certified Farmer in the U.S. Earned Her Full Scholarship

What to know about biologicals for produce

Wed, 25 Sep 2024 18:57:18 GMT

Biocontrols. Biopesticides. Biologicals. These words are often used interchangeably and mean similar, but different things. In this “Tip of the Iceberg” podcast episode, Pam Marrone, co-founder and executive chairperson of the Invasive Species Corporation, takes a look at the rapidly changing biological industry.

Marrone, whose career in the biologicals and fresh produce industry spans several companies, said biocontrols can mean something such as predatory mites — controlling one bug with another — or biopesticides, products with microorganisms or microbials. While it might be easy to assume biological products are used solely by organic growers, that’s not the case, Marrone said.

“Seventy percent of all biologicals and biocontrols are used by conventional farmers,” she said. “Most biocontrols or biopesticides are listed as organic, but there are some natural materials that are not registered as biologicals or biopesticides but are organic.”

She said an example is spinosads or pyrethrums.

“They’re natural materials because they have a toxic mode of action,” Marrone said. “Not all organics organic materials and organic pesticides are biological pesticides and registered as biologicals; some are registered as chemicals.”

Benefits to using biological products, especially in produce, include lower minimal risk levels, maximum residue levels, and preharvest and reentry intervals, so growers could spray a biological product close to harvest and still harvest and export the crop.

“You don’t harm beneficials. You can have better biodiversity in the field, improve soil health but at the same time actually increase yield and quality,” Marrone said. “Typically, when biologicals are incorporated into programs you see better quality and then pest management than with chemical only programs because of that synergy of the modes of action.”

Marrone said the biological and biocontrol categories continue to grow. While biological products might make up only 10% of inputs currently, that number will rise, she said.

“The predictions are, by 2040, the biological market and size will be equal to chemicals,” Marrone said. “Chemicals are only growing at 5% a year and biologicals are growing 10% to 20%, so they’re going to cross over at some point.”

Growers interested in adding biologicals need to work with their vendors to understand how to clearly handle the product and set realistic expectations of how the products work, as there is a bit of a difference in terms of application and modes of action.

For growers who are hesitant to use biologicals or had a bad experience using them in the past, Marrone said it’s worth giving them a try.

“If you used a biological five years ago, you got to try it again,” she said. “The technology is changing so fast. We have new tools to improve the products now. That’s the thing with biologicals, you can keep improving them and it’s worth looking at them again. If you’ve tried them and it didn’t work some years ago, it’s worth trying them again.”

Q&A: Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack on the USDA’s $300M investment in organics

Tue, 23 Aug 2022 15:30:37 GMT

The USDA is putting $300 million into a new Organic Transition Initiative aimed at helping to build new and better markets, as well as streams of income for farmers and producers.

On Aug. 22, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced details of the USDA’s investment, which will include American Rescue Plan funds.

“Through this multiphased, multiagency initiative, we are expanding USDA’s support of organic farmers to help them with every step of their transition, as they work to become certified and secure markets for their products,” Vilsack said in a statement.

USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service, Risk Management Agency and Natural Resources Conservation Service are the primary agencies supporting the initiative, which will focus on three areas, including a Transition to Organic Partnership Program, direct farmer assistance and organic pinpointed market development support.

In a phone interview with The Packer prior to the announcement, Vilsack provided background and additional details on the new initiative, which he says is the USDA’s second and “fairly significant” step in developing and advancing the U.S. market for organics.

The following has been edited for length and clarity.

Thank you for taking the time to speak with The Packer today.

Vilsack: First, I’d like to take a couple of minutes to sort of create the framework for this.

When we started this administration, the president was clear to us that he wanted to build a stronger and more vibrant economy, with a particular emphasis on creating a stronger middle class — from the bottom up and the middle out, as he likes to say. In the agricultural space, that means developing more, new and better markets for farmers so that they have additional opportunities to profit and to stay in business.

So, we focused on more exports. We focused on local and regional food systems, creating more processing capacity. We also have a pretty significant initiative on climate smart agricultural products that we’re going to launch in September, but on the better market side, organic has a role to play.

It’s obviously a higher-value proposition, and we know that we need more producers. We know that we need more market opportunities in the organic space, and we know that we need a better alignment of the supply of organic product and the demand that is out there.

The first step we took in this effort to bolster these better market opportunities through organic was to reduce the cost of certification. We launched an organic certification and transition cost share program that provided financial assistance with reference to the certification cost and the precertification inspection and planning costs.

We allocated roughly $20 million, and to date, 7,383 organic producers have benefited.

Today, we’re taking the second step if you will — a fairly significant step — in creating an Organic Transition Initiative, which is essentially designed to do three basic things: It’s designed to provide wraparound technical assistance and farmer-to-farmer mentoring, so that those who are interested in becoming organic farmers can learn from those who already are; financial support for the costs that are involved in conservation and in risk management; and the development of adequate supply chains and market opportunities.

We’re allocating $300 million to this initiative over the course of the next couple of years.

Mentorship and assistance

[Part of] what we hope to be able to do with this money is to develop six regional efforts where we create partnership networks with trusted local organizations that will provide the training, the education and the outreach that will allow this mentoring program to be established for new and beginning farmers in the space.

We expect and anticipate that these partnerships will provide technical assistance across a fairly broad array of topics — conservation, business development, regulations, marketing, agronomy and things of that nature — and we’re going to make sure that this isn’t just for the haves. We’re also going to make sure that those who are unserved or underserved are able to be part of this effort, as well.

We will complement this regional, hands-on wraparound technical assistance effort with an online presence, where USDA will create an online Organic Assistance Resource Center, so folks can get information when needed. Roughly $100 million of the $300 will be allocated for that purpose.

The second purpose is to provide more conservation and crop insurance support. We’ll provide assistance on the crop insurance side to make it more affordable, allocating roughly $25 million to that purpose. NRCS is establishing a new practice standard, and so there’ll be a roughly $70 million available for compliance and to allow that standard to be implemented.

Another $5 million will go to organic experts located at each one of these centers and a national coordinator who will oversee these efforts. So that’s roughly $100 million in creating direct support for conservation crop insurance. The balance will be allocated over time.

The bottom line of this is to encourage more participation in organic production, which not only has the benefit of a higher-value proposition, but also, obviously, has a fairly significant climate benefit, as well.

So, this initiative is a really good opportunity to advance two of the administration’s big issues: increasing the middle class and making our country more climate smart.

You mentioned that these efforts will be implemented over the next several years. Is there a specific time frame for these investments? How long do you anticipate it will take to implement all aspects of the initiative?

The expectation is certainly that all three pieces will be implemented over the next year or so. Then the hope would be that, as people see the importance and success of it, and as Congress considers the farm bill, it figures out a way in which these kinds of initiatives can be become a more permanent fixture of the department as opposed to a one-off process.

According to the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service, the number of noncertified organic farms actively transitioning to organic production dropped by nearly 71% since 2008. To what do you attribute this significant decline? And what do you see as some of the core strengths of the Organic Transition Initiative in reversing this trend?

I think a lot of it has to do with the costs associated with it and the paperwork, as well as the challenges that you have to overcome as a small producer. That’s the reason why we first established the certification systems program that I mentioned earlier. Obviously, 7,383 producers have taken advantage of that, so I think you’re going to see reversal over time because we’re providing the financial assistance to make it a bit easier to get certified.

And I think this transition program is going to make it much easier for farmers because they can link up with a more experienced organic producer who can take them through the process.

What aspects of the initiative do you anticipate being most beneficial to growers of fresh fruit and vegetables?

I think all aspects of this are going to be important to fruit and vegetables because there’s a demand for it. Through this initiative, we hope to encourage farmers to get in this business by making it easier for them, where they can learn from the mistakes of more experienced organic producers; by making sure that the cost of crop insurance is not prohibitive; and by helping them with the cost of certification so that it becomes less of a financial strain.

Do you see the Organic Transition Initiative driving consumer demand for organic products?

Well, I don’t know that it’ll drive consumer demand. I think it will respond to the demand that will be driven based on the organic industry’s ability to market to consumers. This isn’t necessarily a marketing initiative on the part of the Department of Agriculture. It is, instead, a recognition that there is demand — that there is an opportunity here to create a better market, a higher-value proposition for producers if they wish to participate. And I think, to the extent that we are able to produce more and better alliances in supply and demand, it will make a better and stronger market, which should encourage more consumer participation.

This is a comprehensive program with multiple agencies in participation. In terms of the design of the initiative, what do you think will be the key to its success?

That’s not an easy question to answer because I think you obviously have to have a market in order for people to participate. That’s incredibly important, but if you have a market but you don’t have enough producers, or producers feel that the hill is too steep to climb because they don’t understand how to get started, then that’s a challenge. So, that’s the whole purpose of this comprehensive approach. It’s essentially addressing the challenge of, how do I start this? How do I do it?

Well, now you’re going to be paired with a mentoring farmer who can say, ‘Look, this is how I started and, boy, I wish I could have done it differently based on what I now know. And here’s what I would encourage you to do.’

I think, really, it’s the comprehensive and coordinated nature of this approach that will be the key to its success. It isn’t necessarily one component. It’s the fact that you’ve got all three areas of focus working and aligned toward the goal of increasing production and increasing the number of producers, as well as gaining the financial and climate benefits.

Castellini Co. expands, combines three companies

Fri, 13 Nov 2020 06:40:48 GMT

The Wilder, Ky.-based Castellini Co. has “re-branded” and consolidated three companies — including Independence, Ky.-based Crosset Co. and Dry Ridge, Ky.-based Grant County Foods — under one new Castellini umbrella and location, as well as expanded the Castellini facility in Wilder, said Thomas Federl, communications director.

“The goal of the expansion and unification was to simplify Castellini’s entire supply chain for the benefit of its cus-tomers and the company’s future,” he said.

“Consolidated inventories speed turnover, while clarity in grower/buyer strategies aligns Castellini’s interests with its customers.”

Later in 2020, the company also will introduce a newly designed warehouse management system (WMS), as well as its own custom operating system, Federl said.

Related Content:

Castellini Group of Cos. enhances facilities, technology

USDA to propose 'game-changing' organic rule soon

Fri, 13 Nov 2020 06:23:26 GMT

MIAMI BEACH, Fla. — Significant new enforcement regulations are coming soon for the National Organic Program.

That was the message from Jennifer Tucker, deputy administrator of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s NOP, who spoke Jan. 10 at The Packer’s Global Organic Produce Expo.

“The rule will be a game-changer,” Tucker said.

The “Strengthening Enforcement Rule,” now being reviewed by the Office of Management and Budget, particularly applies to uncertified handlers and to importers, Tucker said. The rule is expected to be published soon, Tucker said, and will have a 60-day comment period.

Tucker said the proposed rule will create:

Increased accountability and visibility;
Fewer exemptions with increased handler certifications;
A requirement for all imports to have certificates; and
Enhanced oversight of accreditation and certification.

“The goal is to transform the organic regulations to meet marketing needs,” Tucker said. “We want to do very targeted actions that impact high-risk areas to increase accountability and visibility.”

A big part of the rule, she said, will be to allow fewer exemptions, which will increase the number of handler certifications.

Currently, handlers who deal with packaged organic products, or are brokers, don’t need to be certified. Tucker said that is going to change.

Congress has asked the USDA to close the loophole of uncertified handlers and mandate electronic certificates for all imports, she said.

“Customs and Border Protection is at this very moment programming the organic import certificate into their automated commercial environment,” Tucker said. “There will now be a mechanism (on the Automated Export System) to identify your products as organic and they will have to be accompanied by an import certificate once the rule is final.”

Tucker said the technology is being developed by Customs and Border Protection to produce import certificates in a way that won’t delay trade.

“We care about shipments moving across the border and we will not slow down that process,” she said.

While CBP will own the automated system that produces the certificates, Tucker said USDA will have access to the import certificate data for decisions and actions on investigations and risk-based surveillance.

“We are going to be doing pilot testing this year when CBP finishes building the import certificate (software),” she said.

The proposed regulation also will address unannounced inspections and inspector training and tighten the rule on non-retail labeling. The rule also seeks to standardize organic certificates and modify requirements for information sharing by certifiers, Tucker said.

The Packer’s Global Organic Produce Exposition & Conference (GOPEX) provides a forum to meet the rapidly changing needs of professionals who grow, distribute, pack and market organic produce. This international trade show and conference provides the ideal opportunity for organic produce professionals from around the world to network, exchange ideas, source new products and services, and do business with the industry’s leading growers, distributors, packers, marketers and retailers.

Related articles:

National Organic Program publishes enforcement summary

Jerry D’Amore joins USDA’s organic standards group

Organic groups object to the suggestion of gene-edited organics

Fresh is key in online grocery

Fri, 13 Nov 2020 05:32:00 GMT

MONTEREY, Calif. — Sourcing for meal kit operations can be difficult, but the fresher the ingredients the better.

Three e-commerce retailers led a panel July 12 at the Organic Produce Summit and talked about challenges and opportunities.

“Sourcing is odd because we change our items every week,” said Don Barnett, chief operating officer for Sun Basket, which claims 99% of its fresh produce is organic.

Tony Stallone, vice president of merchandising for Peapod, said online grocery consumers tend to be younger and need to be educated.

“Throw out what you know about consumers,” he said. “Millennials don’t know how to cook. Take your product and make it easy for consumers to use.”

Moderator Kevin Coupe of Morning News Beat echoed Stallone’s assessment of consumers.

“We have the most misinformed and underinformed consumer base ever,” he said.

There was much talk about how Amazon’s purchase of Whole Foods last year affected the online grocery market, and it wasn’t all bad.

Dan Bourgault, head of brand partnerships for Instacart, said Whole Foods was a customer before the acquisition.

“(Whole Foods) helped us with growth, even though we’ll likely lose them as a customer,” he said.

“All of a sudden, after that deal, retailers returned all my calls,” he joked.

Stallone said the business deal was huge, but it just reflects the way all commerce is going.

“Young people do everything online, and this is just a part,” he said.