Nicholasville, Kentucky

Living soil biology,
shipped to your door.

We supply high-biology, mature Johnson–Su compost inoculant to gardeners and farmers across the USA — lab-tested for the fungi and bacteria that put life back into depleted soil.

“Microbial inoculation at planting is the lowest cost and highest return on investment a farmer can make.” John Kempf, AEA
Colville Compost, mature Johnson-Su inoculant
We moved from NW Arkansas to Nicholasville, KY — ready to ship, most orders same day.   Read the story →
By the numbers

What's actually in the compost

We send samples out for independent lab testing — not just to prove it to customers, but to prove it to ourselves.

122 fungal species 722 bacterial species 14B fungi / gram 7B bacteria / gram 5.26:1 fungal:bacterial ratio

See the full lab reports →

Why this compost

Biology first, fertilizer second.

We have biology to help your plants grow with little or no added fertilizer. If you apply our compost at 1 to 2 pounds per acre, you do not need to apply phosphorus, and can cut back nitrogen 25% to 50% the first year.

“We've spent the last 100 years trying to farm without nature. Now let's use biology to see what the plants can produce.” Dr. David Johnson, New Mexico State University — creator of the Johnson–Su compost technology
Make money on your farm

Save 50–90% on fertilizer

If you apply our compost at 1 to 2 pounds per acre, you don't need phosphorus at all, and can cut nitrogen 25–50% in the first year — while the biology keeps building.

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About Us

Built from leaves, worms, and twenty-five years of watching soil.

Build the Health of the Soil

Our mature compost supports regenerative agriculture. We chop leaves, wet them, and fill wire cages, then keep them moist for two years. The fungi and bacteria from the leaves and air multiply into a powerful biological inoculant, applied at 1–2 pounds per acre.

Healthy Soil, Healthy Plants

It's possible to grow plants that resist disease and harmful insects. Johnson–Su compost contains 122 species of fungi and 722 species of bacteria to strengthen plants from the root up.

Our Beautiful Earth

Regenerating the soil is our primary goal. We're a small family operation — help us by starting on your own land, one pound at a time.

A Family Tradition

Rooted in Colville

We raised our family on the land of Colville Compost. In the 1800s, when this area was settled, it was called Colville community — we think it's a good name for our compost. Don and Talitha purchased this 3-acre parcel in 1976, and for 25 years kept a 2-acre blueberry patch. It was here we learned the importance of good soil health.

Delivery or Pick-up

How orders work

Our compost is available in quantities of 1 pound or more. Most orders ship the same day. Tell us your plans and how much you want, and we'll ship on your preferred date — or arrange to visit us for a tour and pick up your order in person.

Our Work and Play Time

Life around the bins

Chopping leaves for the compost bins
Working the compost bins
Colville Compost operation
Colville Compost operation
Our Experiment on Farmer Scale Production

Built to weather the seasons

This hoop house was designed to minimize the effect of weather on the compost. It worked well in NW Arkansas for 3 years before we moved to Kentucky.

Big Bin
Big Bin
Our Future
Our Future
16 foot cattle panels
16’ Cattle Panels
Liza
Bulk Compost

Supplying farmers, not just gardeners

We ship in boxes up to 50 pounds via FedEx — but you can order any amount. We prefer payment by check for bulk orders; contact us directly to set up quantity and shipping details.