Soil health is key to capturing returns in regenerative agriculture

For Todd Stewart, an Alabama-based row crop grower, the past four years have been fraught with agricultural challenges. Adhering to conventional farming practices, including regular use of recommended fertilizers and soil sampling, Stewart faced consecutive years of suboptimal yields, exacerbated by severe droughts and hurricanes. In the spring of 2023, driven by escalating input costs and diminishing returns, Stewart sought a transformative solution in regenerative agriculture.

Stewart connected with Understanding Ag, a consulting firm founded by regenerative agriculture experts Allen Williams and Gabe Brown, who introduced him to CHONEX. The company has developed StrongSoil, a dry microbial concentrate designed to rejuvenate soil and plant health amidst the harsh realities of climate change and intensive farming.

The application of StrongSoil proved beneficial almost immediately. Stewart observed a 20-bushel per acre increase in corn yield on the treated sections of his farm. Other farmers reported similar benefits, with increases in crop yields and significant improvements in plant vitality after using StrongSoil.

Despite the potential of regenerative agriculture to restore ecosystem health and improve yields, the practice is not widespread, with many farmers still reliant on intensive, input-heavy methods that degrade soil biology over time. CHONEX aims to reverse this trend with StrongSoil, which not only boosts plant resilience and nutrient uptake but also enhances the soil’s water retention and microbial diversity.

Financially, the switch to regenerative practices using products like StrongSoil poses a significant challenge due to different financing requirements compared to conventional farming. However, with a reported three-to-one return on investment and a reduction in input costs within the first year of use, StrongSoil presents a compelling case for broader adoption.

As CHONEX gears up for a Series A fundraising round following promising field trial results, the agricultural sector watches closely. With documented benefits such as a 15% average yield increase in corn and significant environmental advantages like enhanced carbon sequestration, StrongSoil may represent a pivotal shift towards sustainable farming practices that can withstand the uncertainties of climate change.