New Compost Tea Industry Association/Foundation Formed

Eugene, OR – December 23, 2002 – Leaders of the compost tea industry have formed the Compost Tea Industry Association (CTIA) based in Eugene, Oregon. The membership-based CTIA, a nonprofit corporation, was created to provide a unified voice, a forum for information exchange, and marketing opportunities for products and services within the rapidly growing compost tea industry.

CTIA also directs the Compost Tea Education and Research Foundation (CTERF) that was established to focus on research, public education and outreach. A charitable organization, CTERF is funded through tax-deductible donations and research or educational grants.

Compost tea, generally defined as a liquid extract of compost, has gained acceptance by homeowners and commercial growers around the world for its ability to stimulate soil biological activity, improve soil structure, and enhance overall plant health and vigor. Reported benefits of using compost tea include enhanced disease suppression, reduced fungicide and fertilizer requirements and associated cost savings. Research efforts to validate these benefits are expanding.

The first known commercially available industrial-grade, aerated compost tea system was introduced in the United States in 1997. There are now several compost tea systems on the market with a range of features and capacities, reflecting growing demand for these systems and the inception of a new industry.

CTIA members include manufacturers of compost tea systems, producers of compost and vermicompost, and related laboratories, researchers, consultants, growers, vendors and students.