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Are you looking to enhance the soil health on your farm? 

It’s no secret that soil health is important! And for those looking to maximize the health of their soil, leveraging soil microbes is the key. Healthy soils can affect a number of results, from crop yield to fertilizer reductions, to crop residue management and more.  

Earlier this February, Holganix CEO, Barrett Ersek hosted a webinar on "Building Soil Health with Holganix: A Roundtable Discussion." This event brought together innovative growers and soil health specialists across different regions of the United States. These growers shared  their Holganix soil health journeys, their practical applications of Holganix Bio 800⁺, and its impact on soil health. 

Start reading the blog, or click the bookmarked link below to skip to the topic(s) that interest you the most! 

1. The Holganix Story
2. Hear from Growers & Soil Health Specialists 
3. Holganix Bio 800⁺ Application & Storage

Watch the video interview 

Discover key takeaways from the insightful panel, discussions on healthy soils, and how healthy soils can affect several results, from crop yield to fertilizer reductions, to crop management and more.

For a more in-depth look, don't miss the opportunity to watch the initial 45 minutes of the video interview below. If you're reading this post via email, simply click here  to view the video.  

The Holganix Story

Barrett Ersek, CEO and Founder of Holganix, began by addressing a sobering statistic from the United Nations: “If current soil degradation trends continue, we could have as few as 60 growing seasons left before topsoil is depleted.” This stark reality set the stage for the discussion on why preserving soil health is essential for future generations. 

Holganix is a soil health company dedicated to restoring life to the soil by reintroducing beneficial microbes. At the heart of our solution is Holganix Bio 800⁺, a microbial product with over 800 species of bacteria, beneficial fungi, protozoa, and other microorganisms. This diversity of life helps promote nutrient cycling, root growth, and better plant health while reducing the need for fertilizers. 

Barrett emphasized that modern farming practices, while boosting yields, have often come at the cost of microbial diversity in the soil. By reintroducing a broad spectrum of microbes, Holganix aims to reverse this trend, helping farmers improve soil function, enhance yields, and lower input costs. 

Another major component of Holganix’s vision is sustainability. By driving soil health, we not only help increase yield but also boost farmers' profitability through carbon sequestration programs and reduced fertilizer requirements. Holganix's long-term goal is to help farmers pass down healthier, more fertile land to future generations. 

Hear From Growers & Soil Health Specialists

This section of the webinar featured testimonies from farmers and soil health specialists who have firsthand experience using Holganix Bio 800⁺. Their stories highlight the real-world benefits of using Holganix to improve soil health and reduce reliance on chemical inputs.

Grant Strom - Farmer in Dahinda, Illinios 

Grant Strom, a fifth-generation farmer in Illinois, shared his soil health journey with Holganix Bio 800⁺. Strom began using Holganix on a small scale in 2019 and has since expanded to using it 100% on his 6,000-acre farm, which grows corn and soybeans.

During the Holganix Soil Health Tour, Strom conducted 14 side-by-side comparison tests across different fields, tracking microbial biomass and fungal growth. The results were impressive: treated fields saw a 40% increase in microbial biomass and a 42% increase in fungi by weight compared to untreated fields. After three years of using Holganix Bio 800⁺, Strom reported a nearly 225% improvement in microbial biomass. 

Strom highlighted the product’s ability to enhance root development, soil structure, and nutrient cycling. He also noted that Holganix helped his farm transition towards more sustainable practices, including reduced tillage and fertilizer usage, all while maintaining and even improving yields.

Watch this 10-minute video interview in which Grant Strom discusses his soil health journey with Holganix. If you're reading this blog via email, click here to watch the video clip. 

Brian Strider – Farmer in Richmond, MO / Holganix Soil Health Specialist Manager 

Brian Strider, both a fifth-generation farmer and Holganix's Soil Health Specialist Manager in Missouri, shared his experience applying Holganix Bio 800⁺ on his corn and soybean fields. Strider initially applied Holganix in-furrow during planting in 2023, using 150 pounds of nitrogen (down from 200) and eliminating P&K applications. 

The results were clear: Strider saw increased vigor, stress mitigation, and higher yields. His corn fields hit a record 400 bushels in some areas, compared to an average of 188 bushels over the last decade. On the soybean side, yields increased by 5 bushels per acre. 

Strider emphasized the economic benefits of using Holganix Bio 800⁺, particularly in reducing fuel costs and input expenses. By cutting down on tillage and fertilizers, he saved both time and money, while improving the overall health of his soil.

Watch this 13-minute video interview in which Brian Strider discusses his soil health journey with Holganix and the results he has seen during the Missouri Soil Health Tour. If you're reading this blog via email, click here to watch the video clip. 

Holganix MidSouth Soil Health Specialist – Trenton, Tennessee 

Cali Whitwell from Holganix MidSouth shared results from the Soil Health Tour in Tennessee. In her experience, fields treated with Holganix Bio 800⁺ showed significant improvements in root structure, water retention, and soil texture compared to untreated fields. 

Whitwell highlighted one particular cotton farm where the soil was notably easier to dig, with higher moisture content, in Holganix-treated fields. She also shared results from other growers in the region, including corn and soybean farms, where Holganix helped reduce fertilizer use and increase yields.

Watch this 10-minute video interview in which Cali Whitwell discusses her soil health journey with Holganix and the results she has seen during the Soil Health Tour. If you're reading this blog via email, click here to watch the video clip. 

Holganix Bio 800⁺ Application & Storage

The final section of the webinar covered practical guidance on applying and storing Holganix Bio 800⁺. The product can be applied in various ways, including in-furrow during planting or as a broadcast spray. For corn and soybeans, the recommended rate is 0.5 gallons per acre. 

Holganix Bio 800⁺ is designed to integrate seamlessly with conventional farming practices, allowing farmers to reduce their fertilizer inputs while still achieving high yields. The product works well with most herbicides, but fungicides should not be tank-mixed with Holganix Bio 800⁺, as they can kill the beneficial microbes in the solution. 

When it comes to storage, Holganix Bio 800⁺ should be kept at room temperature and out of direct sunlight. Once mixed with water, the solution should be used within two weeks. In its original packaging, it can last up to eight weeks in totes or four weeks in jugs. 

Want to Learn More?

Are you interested in learning more about how Holganix Bio 800⁺ products help to build soil health, increase yield, reduce the need for fertilizer, and increase the breakdown of crop residue? Schedule a 15-minute call with our soil health experts.    

Do you need to hear from us sooner? Just give us a call at 866-563-2784 and we will be happy to connect you with a specialist.