Organic Maintenance ProgramOrganic Maintenance Program

1. Organic Program Goals

2. Overview of the Testing Program

3. Discussion

1. Organic Program Goals

• Test Numerous Varieties

• Learn Customer Expectations

• Application Feasibility

• Cost Differences

• Learn Soil Strategy

• Data Collection

• Create Full Program

Organic Maintenance – Why?

Dead Zone!

Organic Maintenance – Why?

We all We all live downstream! downstream!

2. Organic Testing OverviewCustomers, Area, & Managers

OPS Manager Account Manager Job Name for Testing LocationCharlie Thompson

1 Nate Miller C&D CTC and HQ Novato2 Lisa Stratton Oakmont East Oakmont3 Loren Griswold Kentfield School Fairfax

Kevin Cartwright4 Forrest Mora ACWA Joint Powers Rancho Cordova5 Matt Williams Sierra Central Credit UnionRoseville6 Doug Devoll City of Roseville Roseville

Chris Lawrence7 Oliver Diaz Nissan Building Pleasanton8 Hector Lopez Toyota Distribution San Ramon9 Julio Staben Kaiser Center Oakland

Ron Macler10 Ollie Ramirez Chevron Concord11 Ollie Ramirez Glennon Residence Oakley

2. Organic Testing OverviewProducts & Application Rates

Location Vendor Fertilizer Tested Rate lbs/1000sf Turf SF

Novato Califronia Org. Fertz Inc., Son. Compost1) 2) Compost, C. Tea Will be tested after August due to synthetic fertilizer being applied in JuneOakmont Sonoma Compost, Target Compost, PHC Turf Saver 3-4-3, Green Match post emergent, azatrol1/4", 3 950Fairfax Califronia Org. Fertz Inc. Phyto Grow 8-2-2 + Zinc 10 78,300

Rancho CordovaTarget Nature Tech 4-2-5, PHC Turf Saver 3-4-3 6, 6 5,000Roseville Target Nature Tech 4-2-5 6 189Roseville Target Nature Tech 4-2-5 12.5 19,500

Pleasanton Horizon Sanctuary 8-3-6 12 28,238San Ramon Horizon, Target Sanctuary 8-3-6, EndoRoots 3-4-3 6, 3 100,000Oakland Califronia Org. Fertz Inc., TargetPhyto Grow 8-2-2 + Zinc, EndoRoots 3-4-3 5, 3 35,500

Concord Lesco Sustaine 4-6-4 12.5 13,701Oakley Lesco, Target Sustaine 4-6-4, EndoRoots 3-4-3 6 1,200

2. Organic Testing OverviewSoil Food Web Testing

Soil Food Web Test Example

2. Organic Testing OverviewSoil Food Web Benefits

Mycorrhizae Attacking and Eating a Parasitic Nematode!

More Water & Nutrients Available to Plants

Neutralize Toxins

Protects Plant Health

IPM Made Easier

Soil Management = Soil Will Help Manage Plants

Create Ecological Balance

More Learning

2. Organic Testing OverviewData Collection For Education

WE NEED MORE PICTURES!

2. Organic Testing OverviewLogic of Soil Food Web & Cost

Organic Management Strategy:– Inoculate for Soil Food Web– ~ 50% more nutrients available to the

plants– ~ 50% lower application rates– ~ 50% the cost– ~ same cost as synthetics!

2. Organic Testing OverviewProducts Pricing per Test Application

Target lb/1000EndoRoots 3-4-3 11 70.63$ 776.93$ PHC Turf Saver 3-4-3 2 78.42$ 156.84$ Nature Tech 4-2-5 11 bags 11 23.25$ 255.75$ HorizonSanctuary 8-3-6 35 30.86$ 1,080.10$

LescoSustaine 4-6-4 4 22.00$ 88.00$

Cal. Organic GrowersPhytoGrow 8-2-2 + Zinc 20 19.65$ 393.00$

-$

10 lbs/1000 because of ~50% More Available Nutrients with Soil Food Web = $10/bag!

2. Organic Testing Overview

Learning So Far:

Successful transitions from synthetic Color holding strong during transition period Growth is steady Application uses ~ same equipment & labor Interest in green is growing with customers Bay Friendly Book – good for presenting,

learning, educating, branding, marketing

Organic Program Summary

• Organic Program Goals

• Overview of Testing Program

3. Discussion