CMI Orchards and Royal Family Farming recently held an official groundbreaking of The Soil Center, announced last year, which aims to transform ag byproducts into high-quality soil amendments. Operations are slated to begin by the end of the year, according to CMI.
The Soil Center plans to upcycle more than 100,000 tons of manure, culled fruit, and woody waste annually, according to a CMI news release. Soil amendment products to be created include garden soil blends, compost, worm castings, biochar, and worm and compost teas. The Soil Center’s biochar production will transform more than 20,000 tons of woody biomass, which will sequester approximately 25,000 tons of carbon dioxide equivalent, the company adds.
These upcycled products are intended to support healthy, robust crop production by enhancing soil structure, water retention and nutrient availability while cutting down on gas emissions from the soil. The products also reduce the need for synthetic soil additives, says CMI.
“The Soil Center is more than a regenerative project,” says CMI President Bob Mast. “It’s a blueprint for the future of farming and a legacy we’re proud to build. CMI’s owners have long believed that sustainability is not just a responsibility, but a strategic opportunity to lead. With this initiative, we’re bringing to life a vision that turns orchard, farm and, packing house waste into something truly valuable, supporting healthier soil, stronger yields and more nutrient-rich fruit.”
The Soil Center is pursuing Direct Environmental Benefits (DEB) status through the Washington State Cap and Invest program. CMI seeks to quantify its carbon credits for verified environmental impact. The Soil Center will generate about 500,000 carbon credits annually, with plans to sell the credits as insets.
“At the same time, we’re offering our customers the ability to purchase verified carbon insets and reduce emissions within their own supply chains,” Mast says. “This isn’t just about checking a sustainability box. It’s about growing the first proven carbon-negative apples, pears, and cherries, and helping our customers tell a story of real impact that today’s shoppers deeply care about.”
