DIY Microbial Rich Compost
Hi, y’all! Johanna here from the TX Soil Sisters.
( The podcast media player is below w/ links to things we talk about. Or listen here.)
This is the seventh in a series of podcasts that we recorded from the 2025 Southern Family Farmers and Food Systems conference at Texas State University in San Marcos, TX, on August 4-5.
SFFFS is hosted by our friends at Farm and Ranch Freedom Alliance and Small Producers Initiative.
MEET OUR GUEST: Matt Batchelder, founder of Fun-guy Compost Company
Matt’s goal is to help growers produce the best plants possible by:
1. Increasing knowledge about soil building.
2. Promoting BEAM (Biologically Enhanced Agricultural Management) approach devised by Dr. David Johnson with his wife Hui-Chun Su.
3. Producing fungal dominant compost to increase the viability of soil and plant growth.
4. Educating growers about the importance of practicing good soil stewardship .
In this episode of the Soil Sisters Podcast, we're talking DIY microbial-rich compost with Matthew Batchelder, founder of Funguy Compost.
Explore the nuances of composting with Johnson-Su Bioreactors, a specialized form of composting that serves as living seed inoculant. Matthew shares the components of a successful bioreactor and the significance of microbial inoculation in sustainable farming.
Get practical tips for building the Johnson-Su, maintaining moisture levels, and the benefits of incorporating red wigglers.
There’s a lot of valuable information packed into this 36-minute episode for anyone interested in regenerative agriculture and composting - with plenty of insights for both small and large-scale farmers!
A discussion emerged about how large-scale operations can transition to strategies like incorporating their own seed inoculation without drastic changes to their existing operations. With the right education, these methods could become the norm, leading to more regenerative and profitable farming practices.
This conversation underscores the potential of microbial diversity to rehab the environment. We are inspired by the potential of living compost to change agriculture as we know it, promoting healthier soil, crops, and eventually, a healthier planet.
Don't Want to DIY Compost But Want the Benefits? You can purchase microbial-rich compost directly from Fun-guy Compost Company, based in Houston, TX.
Treating one acre of land only takes 1-2 pounds of microbial-rich compost! Listen to the podcast for the compost extract recipe and application recommendations.
Shop Online: https://www.funguycompost.com/ Tell 'em TX Soil Sisters sent you to receive a 1-pound bag for $50 (Reg. $75).
Happy farming and healthy living, y’all.
Jo (and Crystal) ❤️
P.S. Receive Our TX Soil Sisters Newsletter by Signing Up Here. And Join Our Co-Op Here. 🙌
Microbial Rich Soil by Fun-guy Compost
L to R: Johanna, Crystal, Matt - Post Interview Selfie
listen to the Podcast Here:
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Time Stamps & Links
00:00 Welcome to Soil Sisters Podcast
00:25 Introduction to Matthew Batchelder and Fun-guy Compost
00:51 Understanding Johnson Su Bioreactors
01:28 Building Bioreactors and Workshops
01:59 Challenges and Locations for Composting
02:43 Journey into Composting
03:45 Components of a Successful Bioreactor
07:03 Washing Leaves and Preparing Bioreactors
08:33 Optimum Bioreactor Size and Usage
11:26 Maintaining Bioreactors and Adding Red Wigglers
16:19 Temperature and Environmental Considerations
18:15 First Attempt at Composting
18:46 Choosing the Right Landscaping Fabric
19:21 Using Wood Chips and Leaves
19:41 Building Bioreactors: Timing and Tips
21:01 Funguy Compost: Products and Services
22:38 The Importance of Seed Inoculation
25:16 Recipe for Johnson Su Compost Extract and Seeding Instructions
27:30 Maximizing Biodiversity in Farming
28:53 Quorum Sensing - Microbe Diversity as a Solution
30:32 Transitioning to Microbial Farming
34:59 Special Offer Tell 'em TX Soil Sisters sent you to receive a 1-pound bag for $50 (Reg. $75) - Shop Online: https://www.funguycompost.com/
Soil Matters Radio Hour on KLKT 107.9 FM, Radio Lockhart
If you live in Lockhart, you can catch the Soil Matters Radio Hour live each WEDNESDAY from 5-6p on KLKT 107.9. If you don’t live in Lockhart, you can listen to the livestream at KLKT.org or on your favorite radio app.
