Agromin Quick Facts
- Processes more than 1 million tons of green material annually, more than any other organics recycler in California
- Processes materials for more than 200 communities throughout California
- Agromin soil products are certified by the US Composting Council
- Produces over 300 soil products for use by consumers, municipalities, agriculture and landscapers
- Voted Composter of the Year by the US Composting Council
- Agromin’s Compost 100 may be used in certified organic production or food processing and handling according to the USDA Program rule.
- Agromin’s Compost 100 is used in Turf Rescue, the first biochar-based, compost-blended amendment specifically formulated to reduce the water needs for lawns and turf.
About Agromin
Agromin, headquartered in Oxnard, Calif., manufactures earth-friendly soil products for farmers, landscapers and gardeners. Just as important, Agromin is the organics recycler for over 200 California communities. Each year, Agromin receives over 1 million tons of organic material and then uses a safe, natural and sustainable process to transform the material into premium soil products.
–Farmers use Agromin compost, mulches and other soil products to help grow a variety of their vegetables and fruits including strawberries, tomatoes, celery, lemons and avocados.
–Landscapers use Agromin products to create lush landscapes for business, consumer and public projects.
–Home gardeners find Agromin planting mixes and soil amendments produce healthier vegetables, flowers and trees–while using less water and reducing weeds and pests.
Agromin has developed over 300 eco-friendly products to serve these markets including:
- Agriculture – OMRI Compost; fertilizer blends; soil conditioning; crop and soil specific solutions.
- Commercial Landscape & Turf – soil amendments, soil blends, barks & mulches and proprietary biochar bends
- Retail – customer-specific blends, high-speed bagging capacity, and large retail distribution.
- Waste to Energy – anaerobic digestion; gasification; RNG, renewable hydrogen
Agromin soil products can be found in landscapes along freeways, on municipal sites, in schools, parks and community gardens, museums, and hotels–just about anywhere where quality soil amendments are needed.
Agromin’s Focus. California Assembly Bill 939 (AB939), passed in 1989, mandated that cities and counties had to recycle 50% of their garbage by 2000 or face penalties. That was the impetus for Agromin’s early growth. Cities and counties realized that recycling green waste gives them the opportunity to meet these government mandates and avoid fines. More recently, Agromin has helped cities, counties and other jurisdictions throughout California meet the strict organic waste mandates of State Senate Bill 1383.
Agromin began as a small soils company serving Ventura County since 1972. It would take tree trimmings and turn them into mulch. In 1990, California Wood Recycling was formed to take advantage of the growing opportunity under AB939 to recycle this tree waste. It acquired Agromin in 1992. In 1993, Agromin was recycling 10,000 tons of green waste per year from one city (Ventura). Today, Agromin processes more than 1 million tons of urban wood and green waste annually.
Agromin manages organic waste and markets compost and mulch in 16 California counties: Alameda, Imperial, Kern, Los Angeles, Merced, Orange, Riverside, San Benito, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Luis Obispo, Santa Clara, Sacramento, Solano, Ventura and Yolo.
The Process. Green and food waste is delivered to Agromin sites by local waste haulers. Non-recyclable items (i.e., plastics, clothing, metals) are removed. The green material is then ground and spread into long “wind rows” that are turned and watered for about 60 days. The material is naturally composted by microorganisms. It contains no chemicals or animal or human waste. The result is soil products that produce more vigorous and healthier plants and gardens, and on the conservation side, more room in landfills and less Green House Gas emissions. Agromin also has a growing food waste recycling program, converting food waste from residential, restaurant and retail outlets into compost and biofuels, following SB 1383 mandates.
Contributing To A Cleaner Environment. Agromin’s soil products contribute to a greener world by conserving water, preventing erosion, reducing harmful Green House Gas (GHG) emissions and decreasing the use of oil-based fertilizers and chemicals.
Based on the emission factors developed by the California Air Resources Board and EPA estimates, keeping 1 million tons of green waste out of landfills each year is equivalent to preventing 440,000 tons of carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere or taking 95,000 cars off the road.
We are continually seeking new ways to create products that lead to soil preservation and to lay the groundwork for a more sustainable future.
Education and Public Service. Agromin is doing its part in helping schools teach about conservation. It regularly conducts field trips at its locations and donates soil to dozens of school gardens and to nonprofit organizations each year. It participates in Ventura County Farm Day where it opens its doors to the public so kids and adults can learn about organics recycling.
Agromin Awards:
- California Small Business Association award
- Orange County Council for Green Impacts Innovative Business Award
- California Resource Recovery Association’s Leadership in Organics Award
- Composter of the Year, US Composting Council
- City of Ventura’s Environmental Excellence Award, which recognizes businesses that exemplify environmental care, concern, initiative and improvement.
- “Spirit of Small Business” winner by the Pacific Coast Business Times.
- Environmental Business Journal – Achievement Award for its work in waste and recycling services.
- Ventura County Board of Supervisors – Climate Change Action Award winner, agricultural industry
- California School Boards Association (CSBA)’s Golden Bell Award
- Juvenile Justice Complex – Oxnard, CA – Recognition of Agromin’s commitment and dedication to the success of the Senior Nutrition Garden
- Inc. Magazine – ranked Agromin as one of the country’s fastest-growing private companies in its fifth annual Inc. 500|5000. Agromin was ranked 65th in environmental services (10th in California).
Agromin Certifications/Membership:
- U.S. Composting Council (USCC) certified and participant in USCC’s Seal of Testing Assurance (STA) Certified Compost Program
- OMRI (organics Materials Research Institute) listed
Agromin soil products are certified by the U.S. Composting Council (USCC). The certification means Agromin has met the USCC standards for compost content and its soil products are clean and safe.
Agromin participates in the U.S. Composting Council’s Seal of Testing Assurance (STA) Certified Compost Program. Agromin’s Compost 100 is tested regularly and must pass strict quality standards.
Agromin Compost 100 and Agromin potting soil is OMRI (Organics Materials Research Institute) listed. To be OMRI listed, Agromin compost must comply with the strict requirements of the Organic Materials Review Institute.