Fw: [compost_tea] Letter to the Editor

From: Jeff Lowenfels <jeff_at_gardener.com>
Date: Fri, 20 Jun 2003 12:02:47 -0800

Good letter, Kevin! For those who don't know, I write the garden column in =
the Anchorage Daily News, which may be why we have 9 places selling tea to =
200, 000 adults....and why the co-operative extension service wrote about c=
ompost teas in a "feature." It is sort of a swipe......Between Kevin's ter=
rific letter and a subsequent column, we will correct things. The mistakes =
made are enough to generate a rebuttal column. This is all so particularly =
frustrating because Alaska Humus does not have any E. Coli to grow and virt=
ually all of the teas up here are made with it.

The article shows what the co-op extension people read.....and don't read.

Cheers,

Jeff
----- Original Message -----
From: Mike Bosko
To: compost_tea_at_yahoogroups.com
Sent: Friday, June 20, 2003 7:11 AM
Subject: RE: [compost_tea] Letter to the Editor


I tend to agree with Paulette.

 

Kevin, being that your rebuttal is to be submitted to the letters to the ed=
itor - they typically they require less words, so you might have to look at=
 shortening your letter, without losing content.

 

In addition to that though, your facts, and cause, are great. But I tend to=
 think of how AACT can best be promoted. Although the scintific tests and =
facts about aact are absolutely necessary. I think that these types of det=
ails tend to turn off the average gardener/reader, even farmer. The more p=
eople getting involved in AACT, the more it will be used, right? And then,=
 the more the results of using it will be realized - and then the use of AA=
CT grows... An article arguing about the details seems, IMO, more pointed =
to the scientific community, and negatively looked at by common readers. T=
hough promoting the true facts is completely necessary, it may be better le=
ft to papers, journals, etc specifically meant for the scientific, or AACT =
interested, groups. And glossy'd up for the common reader.

 

To me, the readers of the "Anchorage Daily News", or similar papers, might =
be more apt to read, and then become interested, if a lower level of detail=
 were available - but still stressing the finer points that detail the diff=
erences. And as Paulette stated, it needs to come to readers as a totally =
different idea/term/name than that of the compost teas of yesterday. Chang=
ing the paradigm, if you will.

 

There are far more home gardeners and farmers out there than there are scie=
ntists interested in AACT - I think the masses need to be given the attenti=
on first. The masses will then push the scientists to further cultivate th=
e field - making it easier to use.

 

Just my thought on the matter. But Kevin, your article comes across as bei=
ng non-pointed, informative and having a friendly tone . all plusses. Than=
ks for taking action.

 

 

On a different note, but a similar subject, has anyone thought of posting s=
ome better-detailed info to Rodale's Organic Gardening Magazine? They are =
always speaking of the 'soak in the bucket' (anaerobic) method. I'm surpri=
sed I haven't seen them come out with a new article speaking of AACT as the=
 better alternative. Maybe I missed it though, and they had already. But =
those readers would be interested in hearing all of this, and are the types=
 that would act on it.

 

-Mike

 

JMT SYSTEMS CONSULTING

http://www.jmtsystems.com

info_at_jmtsystems.com / 509 968-9015

 

-----Original Message-----
From: George and Paulette Mouchet [mailto:geomouchet_at_QNET.COM]
Sent: Friday, June 20, 2003 6:25 AM
To: 'compost_tea_at_yahoogroups.com'
Subject: RE: [compost_tea] Letter to the Editor

 

Dear Kevin:

This article points out an issue I brought up a few weeks ago: people
already have a definition of compost tea and when we try to talk about
AACT, we've got an uphill battle because we have to reeducate them about
what AACT is before we can talk about what AACT does.

One problem with this is that people think they know what CT is and we
think they know what we are talking about when we use the term CT or even
AACT, so we all think we are on the same page but we are not. We may not
realize that reeducation needs to occur.

I happen to agree with Sue that there are two types of CT. It's not the
general population's fault if they think CT can be an anaerobic brew.
That's our fault. Practicioners of AACT have borrowed a term that has
been used for many, many years to mean one thing and redefined it to meet
our own needs.

I think a rebuttal to the article is in order. However, my point remains.=
 
Practicioners of AACT are going to be waging this war for a LONG time. It=
 
would be a lot easier to call our product something people have never heard=
 
of so we can give a quick definition of it and all be on the same page.

Paulette


-----Original Message-----
From: kevin john richardon [SMTP:kmagic_at_backpacker.com]
Sent: Friday, June 20, 2003 5:23 AM
To: compost_tea_at_yahoogroups.com
Subject: [compost_tea] Letter to the Editor

Hello Friends,

Please take time to consider the following, brief article which appeared
yesterday, Thursday, June 19, in the Anchorage Daily News:

Quality counts with compost tea


By SUE LINCOLN
Daily News correspondent

(Published: June 19, 2003)
The Cooperative Extension Service horticulture office receives many
inquiries about compost tea -- how to make it, the benefits and if it
really works. To answer these questions, one must have some knowledge of
plant/soil interactions.

Soil is a very complex community consisting of millions of microscopic
living organisms and decaying organic material. Soil scientists define soil=
 
as a combination of three particles varying widely in size and chemical
reactivity: sand, silt and clay, plus organic matter. Plant nutrient
availability depends on the structure and texture of a soil as well as
microbial activity. Texture depends on the percentage of sand, silt and
clay in the soil.

A soil that is high in sand has large particles and large pore spaces where=
 
water and nutrients can flow through and beyond the reach of the root
system. Because of the large particles consisting mainly of silicon dioxide=
 
and the lack of clay particles, chemical ions in soil solution are not
attracted to the sand particles and tend to move with soil water.

Soils high in silt have smaller particles than sand and smaller pore spaces=
 
for water and gas exchange. Silty soils tend to release nutrient ions into=
 
soil solution with time and are often highly productive.

A soil that is high in clay has very small particles and very small pore
spaces allowing ions to be held tightly to their surface but not allowing
water and air permeability, resulting in a struggling microbe population
and poor aeration. Although soils high in clay are considered to have high=
 
cation-exchange capacity (the chemical reaction in the soil), which is
desirous for plants, the particles are so small and tightly packed together=
 
it is difficult for root growth, gas exchange for microbial activity and
diffusion of nutrients to the root surface.

The addition of organic material such as compost is beneficial to soil
structure and adds to the total cation-exchange capacity of the soil. The
added organic material increases moisture retention and helps to increase
microbial populations. Microbes break down organic particles into chemical=
 
components usable to plants. This microbial action enables the nutrients to=
 
be available for plant roots to absorb.

COMPOST and COMPOST TEA

Compost is the result of plant material that has been decomposed by soil
microbes to a soil-like state -- although it is not soil. In general, the
benefits of adding compost to soil are many. However, the quality of the
compost is important. In order to achieve good quality compost, steps must=
 
be taken to use quality ingredients, maintain temperature and moisture and=
 
ensure good air circulation throughout the composting process. These steps=
 
also must be taken for a quality compost tea. The compost tea will only be=
 
as good as the compost used.

Compost tea is the leachate of compost where water is added to extract
nutrients and microbes. The tea consists of a very large and diverse
microbial community. Some recipes include the addition of carbohydrates
such as yeast, molasses or other sugars to encourage microbe reproduction.

There are basically two types of compost tea: anaerobic and aerobic.

For the anaerobic method, the compost is allowed to sit in water for
several days. By allowing the water to sit undisturbed, the
anaerobic-microbe population increases while the microbes that prefer an
oxygenated environment decline.

In the aerobic method, air is pumped through the solution thereby
increasing the aerobic-microbe population within the solution. Depending on=
 
what the compost tea will be used for will determine which method is used.

TWO WAYS TO USE TEA

There are basically two uses for compost tea. One is to increase microbe
populations in the soil so they can break down and release nutrients to be=
 
available to plants. The other is a foliar spray used for nutrient
application as well as a fungicide.

There is quite a controversy over the claimed benefits of compost tea. The=
 
scientific community is just beginning to conduct controlled studies on how=
 
the soil community and plants respond to the addition of compost tea. There=
 
is consensus, though, that compost tea added to the soil does add to the
microbe population, thus enhancing the probability of increasing soil
fertility by microbial release of nutrients. However, the use of compost
tea as a foliar fungicide has brought the largest controversy.

There have been several controlled experimental studies using compost tea
as a fungicide on specific pathogens and crops. Results have been
conflicting. However, some results suggest that compost tea brewed using
the anaerobic method may be more effective as a disease suppressive than
compost tea brewed using the aerobic method. In other studies, foliar
application of compost tea encouraged pathogen growth.

USDA CONCERNS

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has documented concern over using
compost tea as a foliar spray. Pathogens such as E. coli and Samonella have=
 
been cultured from the tea when carbohydrates were added to the brew. One
experiment suggested that by not adding the carbohydrates, E. coli could be=
 
eliminated even though the pathogen was present in the compost prior to
brewing the tea. In addition to the concern of dangerous pathogens, foliar=
 
applications of compost tea can be high in salts, which can burn tender
foliage. This is another case for the use of quality compost materials.

There is also controversy on the use of compost tea in organic farming.
Because dangerous pathogens reproduce between the temperatures of 40 and
140 degrees, compost would need to heat to at least 150 degrees to kill all=
 
the pathogens. Prior to using animal manure, the National Organic Standards=
 
Board requires the material to be heated in excess of 150 degrees for a
minimum of one hour and dried to a moisture level of 12 percent or less.
Unfortunately, if the compost was heated to this high temperature all the
good microbes would be killed as well. The Agriculture Marketing Service of=
 
the USDA recommends that if compost tea is used as a foliar spray on edible=
 
crops, harvest should not take place less than 120 days after application
unless the compost tea is made without the addition of carbohydrates.

In order to keep healthy while consuming homegrown, organically produced =
 
food using compost tea as an amendment, use quality ingredients when
building the compost heap. When the compost is finished, refrain from
adding additional carbohydrates to the brew if foliar applications will be=
 
made.

Sue Lincoln is a horticulture program assistant with the University of
Alaska Fairbanks Cooperate Extension Service. She is located in the
Anchorage office. Contact her at 786-6315.

The Anchorage Daily News

Hmmm... I feel compelled to respond to a few items. Please let me know
what YOU think. Promptness will be an issue as I would like to submitt a
version of the following, Letter to the Editor:

Local Solutions
19025 Villages Scenic Pkwy
Anchorage, Alaska 99516
(907) 522-0679 907) 317-8455

Thursday, June 19, 2003

Letter to the Editor
Anchorage Daily News

Quali-tea results with Compost Tea

Wow, Sue Lincoln grabbed my attention!

Leading with such a concise yet informed portrayal of soil dynamics, I was=
 
anxious to read further. Turning the page, I expected what followed to
champion the necessity of securing a quality source of compost to brew
quality compost tea with? I finished the column feeling my understanding of=
 
Compost Tea conflicted and doubting Ms. Lincoln's compilation of facts.

In all fairness, I assume responsibility for taking the initiative to seek=
 
out more information to better and verify my own understanding, yet I also=
 
intend to encourage all of us to be diligent and accountable in the
reporting of our research and development to productively advance the
enormous potential of the emerging science of Compost Tea.

Please know Dr. Elaine Ingham and Soil Foodweb Inc., a renowned resource
recognized as the foremost authority in the field of soil microbiology, is=
 
adamant that Anaerobic Leachates of Compost ARE NOT Compost Tea.

This may seem like semantics, Sue, yet?

The terminology, "Compost Tea", refers to a watery extract of Compost, made=
 
by the addition of a determined amount of high quality compost and
microbial foods to water which IS ALWAYS at least 5.7% Oxygen per Volume!
This is important to agree upon.

As a general rule with exceptions, anaerobes produce substances which
inhibit growth. We want to provide an environment which promotes the
growth of aerobic microorganisms. These are the microbes whose
interrelationships within their community have the desired, positive,
beneficial effects on soil and plant characteristics we are attempting to
cultivate with compost tea.

True Sue, "The compost tea will only be as good as the compost used." Only=
 
organisms present in the brewing materials will be found in the Tea. The=
 
action alone of adding carbohydrates or any other nutrient will not result=
 
in the cultivation of pathogens.

I am not aware of Compost Tea having a Salt Index. As you mention, if
foliage is being burnt by salts, this also would be a source issue.

Interestingly, Anchorage, Alaska has, to my understanding, one of the three=
 
known best sources of composted material on the planet. Certain types of
Humus, commonly referred to as "peat", posses the finest attributes of a
composted material. The most important asset, Sue will agree, is that
there are NO CONTAMINANTS. It is virgin material. Secondly, the number,
type and diversity of species contained in the Humus is outstanding. The
tests register impressive numbers. This resource is being actively
conserved by a local group. Look them up at AlaskaHumus.com.

Facts have been gathered indicating foliar applications of Compost Tea
achieving 70% leaf coverage or greater successfully suppress disease. 90%=
 
coverage, 7% of which is of beneficial fungal content, has achieved 100%
protection! Yet this accomplishment is not likely achieved by secretions
of toxins as "-icides" suggest. Rather the beneficial microbes present in=
 
Tea out-compete pathogens for space and food resources and in some cases
predate on disease causing organisms.

Much of the wonderful feedback I receive from those who employ compost tea=
 
generates a foremost concern for quality. It is imperative we achieve
accuracy in the dissemination of information, as public awareness and
perception of Compost Tea is being developed during this growth stage in
the industry and we want this science to move forward and realize maximum
potential.

Please consider these remarks as we gain in our collective knowledge and
ability to brew and apply Compost Tea. Thank you for your time and
consideration.


Best Regards,

Kevin John Richardson


Your input is welcomed. Especially if I have errored in my facts,
judgement, etc...

Please feel free to edit. Suggestions contrary to my current opinion are
especially warrented. Please let me know if you think the gal wrote a
decent peice and I should let it go. No reason to come off like a jerk, ya=
 
know?

Peace, Kev
ps sorry soo long

Kevin John Richardson
Local Solutions
19025 Villages Scenic Pkwy
Anchorage, AK 99516
(907) 522 0679 Land
auto forwards to :
(907) 317 8455 Cell
kmagic_at_backpacker.com




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Received on Sat Jun 21 2003 - 00:16:50 EDT

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