CMI Orchards, Royal Family Farming partner to launch The Soil Center
CMI Orchards and Royal Family Farming have partnered to launch The Soil Center, the mission of which is to transform byproducts from orchards, row crops, dairy and beef operations into high-quality soil amendments, thereby merging fruit production with the principles of regenerative farming, according to a news release.
Spearheaded by the Allred family, co-owners of CMI Orchards — a Wenatchee, Wash.-based grower and shipper of apples, pears and cherries and the sole proprietors of the Royal City, Wash.-headquartered Royal Family Farming — The Soil Center joint venture aims to supply agricultural soil amendments and supplies to the network of growers associated with CMI and Royal Family Farming as well as the wider agricultural community, according to the release.
At the heart of The Soil Center's mission is the development of the world's largest worm farm and a comprehensive waste processing system, the release said. This system is designed to transform a variety of byproducts into valuable soil amendments. The goal is to produce unique products that revolutionize traditional agricultural practices, turning waste into eco-friendly solutions to farm regeneratively at scale, according to the release.
"This project is a game-changer in the way we think about byproducts and waste streams,” Jon Cox, The Soil Center president and soil health expert, said in the release. “We are committed to finding innovative methods to repurpose waste from our farming and packing operations and enhancing soil health. This initiative is crucial in bringing the importance of soil function to the forefront of the agricultural community and beyond. Healthy crops and sustainable agriculture truly start from the ground up."
The Soil Center is set to break ground by the second quarter of 2024 with an inaugural ceremony. The facility is expected to start supplying soil amendment products to the CMI grower network by the third quarter of 2024, showcasing a blend of scientific research and regenerative farming practices, the release said.
"CMI is steadfast in its commitment to a carbon-negative fruit industry,” CMI Orchards President Bob Mast said in the release. “Our partnership with The Soil Center reflects this commitment. We are focused on creating a model that helps the entire agricultural sector, extending these advantages to all growers.”
By the first quarter of 2025, The Soil Center aims to broaden its impact, extending its products to the wider agricultural community, the release said.
"What began as a personal endeavor to support our family's farming efforts has blossomed into one of the largest regenerative farms operating at scale,” Royal Family Farming President Austin Allred said in the release. “We're taking the intimate, red barn farmer's market approach and expanding it, proving that sustainable practices can be successfully implemented on a larger scale.
“Rethinking our approach to carbon is imperative in this journey,” Allred continued. “Our goal is to significantly increase soil carbon, a critical factor for cultivating healthier crops and fostering a more resilient agricultural ecosystem. A major part of our mission is to educate consumers and shift the general perspective on carbon. It’s not just about reducing carbon in the atmosphere; it's about enhancing carbon in the soil, where it can do the most good for our planet."
The Soil Center says it plans to collaborate with local communities, academic institutions and industry experts to expand its influence and advocate for a more sustainable future in agriculture.
