Grant: Applied Research and Development Grants - Level 1

Overton Environmental Enterprises Inc (OEE) is a company focused on applied ecology and developing sustainable landscape management practices and products. OEE has identified a nation-wide need for an economical and environmentally viable way of supplementing nutrients to plants while providing protection. Their main product, Eco-Tea, is an aerated compost tea containing a multitude of plant-beneficial soil microorganisms and nutrients. Eco-Tea is a truly ecologically sustainable product for large-scale agriculture, gardens, organic farming, golf courses, and homeowners. Despite the numerous positive testimonials relating to this product, there is a lack of scientific proof of the benefits of compost tea. This has led to OEE form a new applied research partnership with the School of Innovation (OCSI) to confirm the testimonials by testing their proprietary product with the financial support of NSERC. The information from this study will lend credibility to compost tea technology, helping plant producers and landscape managers throughout Canada to realize the benefits of this technology in reducing the need for pesticides and synthetic fertilizers. The adoption of this technology will aid recent advances in soil ecology to crop production with regard to nutrient retention and disease suppression and to reduce input costs and increase revenues for organic growers and conventional farmers. Reduced use of pesticides and synthetic fertilizer will positively impact the environment by mitigating greenhouse gas emissions and reducing soil and water pollution. The economic and social benefit of compost tea commercial activities will result in new capital investments, employment opportunities and revenue streams to rural Canada.