Development of an organic, nutrient rich compost substitute derived from invasive Asian carp sourced from the Mississippi River watershed.

Demand for organic products has been steadily climbing over the past decade, representing one of the fastest growing sectors of the food industry in the United States. Consumer demand for organic products has surpassed current certified organic farmland production capacity. A significant factor constraining market expansion is access to organic soil amendments. Compost is an important soil amendment in organic farming, valued for its nutrient content and rich microbial life. However, compost faces some limitations. It must be applied in far greater volumes than concentrated synthetic treatments, so growers must source compost locally to control costs and remain competitive with non-organic produce. Additionally, compost production is time-intensive, and it is susceptible to contamination with persistent herbicides and PFAS if biomass streams used to produce it are tainted.Midwestern and Southeastern states are increasing organic output, but have fewer opportunities to access quality compost than other regions. Invasive Asian carp in the Mississippi River watershed represents a major underutilized biomass stream in these regions. Santerre International will produce a soil amendment derived from invasive carp that delivers physical, nutritional, and microbial qualities comparable to compost at a fraction of the production time, with contaminant concentrations at or below industry standards. Analysis of the product will be assessed against existing commercial organic soil amendments to ensure that nutrient and contaminant levels fall within industry norms. This product will aim to serve organic farmers in Kentucky and contiguous states, and will provide a diversified livelihood for commercial fishermen in the region.