Caney Fork Farms’ "Tea" Recipe

It’s safe to say that one of the most refreshing beverages in the South is a tall glass of iced tea. As much as we love the classic beverage, we’re brewing our tea blend for the summer: compost tea!

Going on one year, Caney Fork Farms has the pleasure of working alongside Veggie Team member AJ van der Zwan. AJ’s dedication to growing and harvesting beautiful produce has been inspiring, and we have watched his love for agroforestry and regenerative farming blossom evermore. 

We conduct annual soil sampling and laboratory analysis, yet the field of regenerative agriculture continually demands ongoing daily efforts. When participating in regenerative farming, it is crucial to have a comprehensive understanding of soil composition and its effects on plant growth. Additionally, understanding how soil composition impacts the animals and microorganisms that live and feed within the soil is essential.

At Caney Fork Farms, soil sampling, cover cropping, companion planting, planned rotational grazing, no/low-till, and the reintroduction of Indigenous species represent just a portion of our comprehensive efforts to implement regenerative agriculture practices. 

While our team gains significant on-the-job experience, we strongly advocate continued education in relevant fields. AJ is currently pursuing a path to becoming a soil health consultant under the mentorship of the Soil Food Web School.

A focal point of this course has been making compost from all the microbiological life needed to build healthy soil. The contents of the compost and its composition are of the utmost importance. AJ learned to build the compost pile in a way that maximizes the growth of beneficial microorganisms damaged by standard agricultural practices.  

Traditionally, compost is used as soil or fertilizer for crops and other planting endeavors. However, the Soil Food Web School has instructed its students to create compost tea instead. At Caney Fork, we will spray this compost tea over our crops to maintain their health and the health of our soils. 

To brew compost tea, a mesh bag is filled with a homemade blend of compost materials. Our Veggie Team collected organic materials such as wood chips, decomposing produce, and manure, which were placed in a mesh bag. The bag is submerged in water, with air pumped through the water for 2-3 days. The air pressure extracts the microorganisms from the compost into the oxygenated water, providing them with oxygen to survive. Microbial foods, such as molasses or kelp, are added to the compost to encourage the replication and growth of these organisms.​

High-quality compost and compost tea offer a range of significant benefits for plants and soil health. One of the foremost advantages is improved plant health. Compost provides essential nutrients and beneficial microorganisms that enhance soil fertility, leading to stronger and more resilient plants.

Moreover, compost and compost tea can significantly improve the nutrition and taste of fruits and vegetables, making them more appealing and nutritious for consumption.

Beyond these benefits, compost and compost tea help reduce pests, plant disease, and weed pressure. The presence of beneficial microbes in compost suppresses harmful pathogens and pests while improving soil structure and health to inhibit weed growth. 

In terms of environmental impact, increased carbon sequestration is another critical benefit. This practice helps mitigate climate change by storing carbon in the soil. It not only contributes to higher crop yields but also enhances drought tolerance, ensuring that plants can thrive even under challenging environmental conditions.

Incorporating high-quality compost and compost tea is a key component of regenerative farming practices, which focus on restoring soil health and ecological balance. These practices are grounded in soil science and emphasize the importance of maintaining a diverse and active microbial community within the soil.