RESOURCES

TerraFerm Education Series

EM-FPE: Fermented Plant Extract

A specialized on-farm liquid input that extracts and preserves plant-derived growth compounds through fermentation — complementing your core ASAM microbial brew program.

What Is EM-FPE?

A Fermented Extract of Fresh Plant Material

EM-FPE (Fermented Plant Extract) is a liquid input made by fermenting fresh plant material — weeds, leafy greens, legumes, herbs, or targeted crops — with a microbial inoculant and molasses. Through anaerobic fermentation, the beneficial microorganisms in the inoculant extract and transform organic acids, enzymes, plant growth compounds (including auxins, cytokinins, and gibberellins), and mineral chelates from the plant material into a bioavailable liquid form.

The finished extract is filtered, diluted for use, and applied as a foliar spray or soil drench — delivering concentrated, plant-derived biological inputs that can support root development, growth response, and microbial activity in the root zone.

How EM-FPE differs from ASAM-C and ASAM-A: Your ASAM-C brew (produced with TerraFerm kits) is your primary commercial-grade microbial inoculant — a 2+ year shelf-life concentrate designed for large-scale animal, soil and compost applications. ASAM-A is the activated, volume-extended form. EM-FPE is a different category entirely: a short-use specialty extract (up to 90 days) made from specific plants for targeted applications. The two work well together — ASAM-C or ASAM-A as your foundation biology, EM-FPE as a crop-specific foliar supplement.

The Biology

What Fermentation Unlocks

Young, fast-growing plant tissue is biochemically rich. The first third of a plant's growth phase — when cell division is most active — contains the highest concentrations of growth hormones, amino acids, and enzymes. When this material is fermented with a robust microbial consortium, several things happen:

→Organic acids are produced — lactic acid and other metabolites create a stable, low-pH environment that preserves bioactive compounds and inhibits putrefactive microbes during storage.
→Plant growth compounds are extracted and preserved — auxins (root growth stimulants), cytokinins (cell division), and gibberellins (stem elongation) are drawn from plant tissue and held in bioavailable form in the liquid.
→Minerals are chelated — microbial activity binds mineral content into organic chelates that are more readily taken up by plant tissue than raw mineral salts.
→Bioactive secondary metabolites are released — plant-specific compounds (resins, phenolics, essential oils) that may support plant immunity or deter pest pressure are concentrated in the extract.

EM-FPE is not a fertilizer replacement. It is a biology-activating, plant-derived input designed to work in concert with soil life and the microbial foundation you're already building with ASAM-C or ASAM-A.

Source Plants

Choosing the Right Plant Material

The plant material you choose shapes the character of your extract. Different plants contribute different growth compounds, minerals, and bioactive properties. As a general principle, harvest young growth (the top third of actively growing plants) before dawn when sugar and hormone concentrations are at their peak.

Comfrey

High in potassium, calcium, and protein. Deep-rooted, so mineral content reflects subsoil reserves. Commonly used to support general plant vigor and root development.

Stinging Nettle

Rich in nitrogen, iron, magnesium, and trace minerals. One of the most nutrient-dense ferment plants available. Used for vegetative growth support and soil biology stimulation.

Legumes (young growth)

Fava bean tops, clover, vetch, alfalfa meal — nitrogen-rich with symbiotic biology. Used to support nitrogen cycling and add amino acid content to the extract.

Local Weeds

Dandelion, plantain, lamb's quarters, and similar fast-growing weeds accumulate minerals adapted to your specific region. They make some of the most locally responsive extracts available.

Aromatic Herbs

Basil, mint, rosemary, and similar plants contribute essential oils and secondary metabolites that can support plant immunity and may reduce pest pressure when applied as foliar sprays.

Hot Peppers & Garlic

Used in pest-deterrent extracts. Capsaicin and allicin-containing extracts are commonly used in biological pest management programs as part of an integrated foliar spray rotation.

A practical approach: use plants similar to what you're growing. Vineyard FPE might feature grape leaf material, young vine shoots, and comfrey. Orchard programs often use comfrey, nettle, and legume material. Mixed vegetable operations can use whatever is growing vigorously on-site as a starting point.

Process Overview

How EM-FPE Is Made

EM-FPE is made on-site by the grower using fresh plant material and a microbial inoculant. The process is straightforward and does not require specialized equipment. What follows is a general educational overview; your specific process may vary depending on the plants you select, vessel size, and local conditions.

Collect and prepare plant material

Gather fresh, actively growing plant material — ideally the top third of the plant, harvested before dawn. Chop into small pieces (roughly 2" sections) to increase surface area and accelerate fermentation. Fill your vessel as fully as possible with the chopped material.

Add microbial inoculant solution

Prepare a solution of your microbial inoculant, blackstrap molasses, and non-chlorinated water. A common starting ratio is 1–2 tablespoons of inoculant and 1–2 tablespoons of molasses per liter of water. Pour this over the plant material, filling the vessel to the top to minimize air space.

Seal and ferment

Seal the container and store in a shaded location with relatively stable temperatures. Gas production will begin slowly and peak in the first several days. Fermentation is typically complete in 7–14 days, though some preparations may take up to 28 days depending on ambient temperature and plant material density.

Quality check

The finished extract should have a pH at or below 3.5 (check with pH strips or meter) and a clean sweet-sour, slightly yeasty aroma. A foul or putrid odor indicates contamination — that batch should be composted rather than applied to crops.

Filter, store, and use

Strain the liquid through cloth into clean storage containers. The filtered liquid is your EM-FPE. Stored sealed in a dark, cool location, it may keep for up to 90 days. The remaining solids are nutrient-dense and can be incorporated into compost or applied thinly to soil. Always dilute before applying.

pH meters and strips: Monitoring fermentation pH is the single most useful quality check in any microbial program. pH strips rated for the 3–6 range are inexpensive and widely available. An ORP meter can also provide useful data on the antioxidant status of your ferments. Both are good additions to any grower's toolkit.

Field Use

Application Rates and Timing

EM-FPE is always diluted before use. Concentrated application is not appropriate — the goal is to deliver biology-activating compounds gently and consistently over time, not to saturate with a single application.

Foliar Spray

Dilution: 1:500 (approx. 1.5 tsp per gallon of water)

Timing: Early morning or late afternoon — avoid direct midday sun which can damage biological content

Frequency: Weekly during active growth; more frequently for stressed or recovering plants at weaker dilution

Seedlings: Use 1:1000 dilution; apply to soil rather than directly to leaves

Soil Drench

Dilution: 1:1000 (approx. 3/4 tsp per gallon of water)

Timing: Apply when soil is moist — not waterlogged, not bone dry

Frequency: Every 2–4 weeks during the growing season as part of a broader biological input rotation

Compost: Can be added to active compost piles to stimulate microbial activity

Key principle: When uncertain, dilute more — not less. Gentle, consistent applications build cumulative benefit over time. A 1:1000 drench applied regularly will outperform a single concentrated application. EM-FPE works by improving biological systems, not by delivering a nutrient spike.

Integration

EM-FPE in a Complete ASAM Microbial Program

TerraFerm's ASAM-C is the foundation of your microbial program — a commercial-grade fermented concentrate with a 2+ year shelf life, designed for consistent, large-scale soil inoculation and compost activation. EM-FPE is not a replacement for ASAM-C; it is a targeted, plant-specific supplement prepared on-site from your own crop environment.

Used together, they create a layered approach to biological program management:

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ASAM-C

Your commercial-grade microbial inoculant base. Broad-spectrum soil biology support. 2+ year shelf life. The primary TerraFerm product.

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ASAM-A

Volume-extended form of ASAM-C for high-application-rate programs. On-site activation. 14–45 day shelf life. Used when large volumes are needed quickly.

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EM-FPE

On-farm fermented plant extract. Crop-specific growth compounds and bioactive inputs. Up to 90 day shelf life. Made from your own local plant material.

A grower running a full biology-first program might apply ASAM-C or ASAM-A to soil and compost as their base inoculant program, while rotating EM-FPE foliar sprays on a weekly basis during active crop growth — targeting specific plant needs with different plant extracts at different growth stages.

EM-FPE pairs well with other on-farm preparations as well, including EM Bokashi and fermented seaweed or fish extracts, as part of a comprehensive biological input calendar. The Asia Pacific Natural Agriculture Network (APNAN) has taught EM-FPE alongside Bokashi preparation in international training workshops as a core component of Nature Farming practice (APNAN NEWS, 2012).

Application methods, results, and suitability may vary by crop type, soil condition, climate, water quality, and management practices. EM-FPE is an on-farm preparation and requires grower judgment and observation. This material is educational and does not replace professional agronomic, regulatory, or legal advice.

Buyers are responsible for confirming labeling, registration, and compliance requirements for fermented inputs in their state, province, or country. Organic certification claims should only be made after confirmation with the buyer's certifier or applicable certifying body.