Comgro Soil Amendments, Inc.

06/05/2026

06/05/2026

So why do buyers fear the use of compost in fresh vegetables? Why are people afraid of compost made with animal manures, and only want compost made from green waste if they can use compost?

Over the many years of the LGMA, there has been some confusion regarding composting. Is a turned windrow system of composting a verified method of composting? Yes, it is, and was done back in the late 60’s and early 70’s regarding the composting of bio solids or human waste. Was it an effective method of killing off human pathogens? Yes. Back in those days, they were only worried about Salmonella, not STEC’s like O157:H7, because those really hadn’t been discovered until the early 80’s. They were more worried about regrowth of Salmonella, which is a lot hardier than your STEC’s, but by having a rich biodiversity in the compost and meeting the standards of testing back then, Salmonella couldn’t grow. This has been confirmed in recent years back in 2008 by Clemson University when they tried to inoculate compost with human pathogens, and nothing would grow in the compost that was well mature and stable as well as under 1000 most probable number of F***l Coliforms or also known as thermal resistant coliforms. It didn’t matter what the feed stock was as long as the compost was stable, meaning all the biological energy or bio thermal chemicals reaction that would heat up the compost had finished, and the compost at 35% moisture content wouldn’t heat back up to over 121°F, which is considered active composting.

So this brings me back to my first statement of why be fearful of compost? There is no difference between green waste compost and manure based compost besides the manure compost is more nutrient rich for the soil. But still, there are those who are afraid, worried that something from the black lagoonmight crawl out and infect our fresh vegetables and fruits like the toxic avenger.

So why mine out all of our biodiversity and not give back to the soil that gave to us? We mono-crop even though we do crop rotation; we are still mono-cropping. Does this type of farming mimic a 300-year-old forest floor? No, it doesn’t, but a good biodiverse compost made from many feedstocks like green waste, manures of different animals and/or crop residues like culls from a salad plant do make that great biodiverse compost like that of the 300-year-old forest floor, so when a pterodactyl flies and has an accident over your field, the soil will absorb and outcompete the pathogen that might be there and still give you a healthy plant that fights off plant diseases.

So why do you think buyers are afraid of compost?

05/14/2026

As I just turn the young age of 61 I have been taking time to reflect on a lot of my mentors retiring. This has lead me to reflect on a few things that keep coming up when I go to either a healthy soil meeting or the latest and greatest rout to soil health and realize we had already been there and done that on the farm but not through a UC system. Sometimes generational knowledge is more valuable then research that has been done or could answer a lot of questions. That sad part is a lot of this knowledge either due to untimely deaths or just wasn't passed down to the younger generation when it comes to the type precision we do here on the Central Coast.

I was asked here a few years ago what was my succession plan for my company after attending a Health Soil Meeting in Yuma AZ and was answering a lot of question the researcher were asking regarding soil health. This young researcher asked if I like to write, which I stated no because of some learning disabilities I have. She highly encourage me to start writing and to share my knowledge. The funny part is I am still learning.

05/11/2026

Support vocational education.

05/10/2026

05/07/2026

Healthier plants. Higher yields.

04/23/2026

Sustainability, regeneration and upcycling are hot buzzwords right now. And for good reason. But the fact is, they’re nothing new. When Great Grandpa Giovanni Massa came over from Italy more than 100 years ago, he brought with him the belief that we must take care of the soil. He passed that belief down to his children and grandchildren, and today the 4th and 5th generations still hold onto those values.
Compost adds organic matter and biodiversity to the soil. Study after study has shown that it increases yields, improves water holding capability meaning less water usage, improves tilth which means less fuel usage, grows stronger healthier plants which means fewer pesticides and herbicides. And all with little to no risk because it’s also easily tested for human and plant pathogens, pesticide residue, and heavy metals.
We owe our existence to six inches of fertile soil. Our future depends on taking care of that soil. Today and every day. 🌱

01/01/2026

Happy New Year!
May 2026 bring us all Peace, Love & Prosperity!

12/13/2025

This is how you fix the food system from the ground up. A new $700 million Regenerative Pilot Program was announced in December 2025 by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), together with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). The goal is to help farmers adopt regenerative agriculture practices like improved soil health, water quality, and long-term sustainability.

According to multiple news and USDA sources, USDA will deploy the funding through existing conservation programs, with examples such as:

~$400 million through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program

~$300 million through the Conservation Stewardship Program

This means more nutrient density, fewer pesticides, and healthier soil. Previous farming practices have massively destroyed our soil and food supply, and thus our health. Hopefully, this shows great results, so it can be expanded.

12/12/2025

Powdered sugar sprinkles on a beautiful sunny day! 😍
Gypsum is pH neutral, adds calcium to the soil and helps flush salts. Combine with compost to add organic matter, increase biodiversity and water retention, and help combat both plant and human pathogens.
Give Johnny (831-594-0228) or Martin (831-320-0545: se habla español) a call to schedule your spreading before the rainy season! 🌱