We operate our business with these guiding principles and goals:
- We are committed to a sustainable lifestyle
- Produce products that help save natural resources & expenses
- To ensure quality, our products are tested by independent labs
- At our facilities we are researching ways to put more microbes into the soil — naturally
- To reduce the negative impact on our environment, we package most of our products in
recycled and/or recyclable containers - Synchronized techniques and controlled ingredients produce humified compost, not waste reduction compost
- Humified compost & tea extracts made in-house so that we can guarantee quality
- We brew and produce our own Efficient Microbes (EM) & Bokashi for maximum freshness and reliability
Patrick Van Haren. As well as being a full-time partner in Microbial Earth, Patrick has a consulting company focused on the regional sustainability of Central Texas. The company is called Sunergie. Sunergie is focused on the role of soil in providing our food, feed, fiber, fertilizer, fuel, fresh water and fresh air (the 7 F's) for rural communities throughout Central Texas. Patrick previously worked throughout Europe and North America in animal genetics, artificial insemination and rural economic development, both in large and family sized companies. He was also in a start-up that pursued a solar thermal technology design for the utility sector. Patrick completed an accelerated (1 year) MBA in entrepreneurship at Babson College in Wellesley MA where he focused on the “Managing Technology Intensive Enterprise” program. He is also a graduate of the two year federal Department of Agriculture - Canadian Agricultural Lifetime Leadership Program, has a BS in Agriculture Economics and Business from the University of Guelph (Canada), and has served in numerous co-operatives in Canada. In Mr. Van Haren's development of the current business model, he has been certified by the American Energy Engineers Association as a Certified Sustainable Development Professional. He has completed courses in the Soil Food Network, the Texas Compost Bootcamp, the Midwest Biosystems Advanced Composting Program, Holistic Management Grazing Systems, and Solar San Antonio's Solar Thermal Installer's Program. He is currently co-chair of the Central Texas Zero Waste Alliance - Austin Chapter, and founder of the fledgling Soil Restoration Network. He is a representative of the Texas Renewable Energies Industries Association (TREIA) to the Rural Alliance for Renewable Energy (RARE). Patrick looks forward to providing more leadership towards the implementation of zero-waste programs with a focus on getting renewables out of landfills and the organic matter into our soils.
Allan Dyer is a lifetime entrepreneur who has been involved one way or another with the Texas compost market for the past 20 years. At age 27, Allan started “The Great Outdoors” with partner Tom Tinguely, composting all of the waste streams from the commercial landscape maintenance services. After four years he exited to become a stay-at-home dad for 2 years during which time he applied for and won several grants from CAPCO for some of the first recycling programs in Hays County. Allan also helped organize Keep Wimberley Beautiful and was the first male president of the Wimberley Garden club! His leadership included recycling all of the waste from Wimberley’s public elementary school, with an emphasis on composting the food scraps. From 1993-1999 Allan started and managed Natural Gardens Plant Nursery which focused on organic approaches to gardening in Wimberley. Natural Garden’s also had landscaping services from 1993 to 2005 specializing in waterscapes and sustainable landscapes. With Allan’s vision, the 3.5 acres that the nursery occupied was slowly transformed into a retail/office center housing 12 charming buildings and a native landscape with a stream flowing throughout the complex. Allan won an award from the Wimberley Chamber of Commerce for creating this beautiful space known as Poco Rio. Allan was appointed by the Hays County Commissioner to be on the Oak Wilt task force and was actively involved in suppressing the spread of Oak Wilt. Allan is currently living in Wimberley and Rocksprings working part time on a sustainable property development. He maintains his real estate broker’s license. Allan is a Certified landscape designer, Hays County Master Gardener (1st class) and has won awards for his involvement in keeping Wimberley beautiful.
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