Frequently Asked Questions

TerraFerm is a microbial products division of PlanetaryCARE. We supply pre-measured ASAM brewing kits, online education, and consulting for growers and agricultural entrepreneurs who want to run their own fermented microbial program. We don't brew for you — we give you the ingredients, knowledge, and support to brew your own.

ASEM brewed as described and stored in Cubitainers have a 2 year or longer shelf life.

This product is equivalent to the top retail microbial products on the market and much more consistently effective than many. It is based upon the discoveries of Dr. Teuro Higa in the 1990s. Here's a Playlist for more information.

ASAM stands for Advanced Syntropic Antioxidative Microbes. It's a fermented microbial inoculant process that uses effective microorganism cultures combined with organic nutrient inputs to produce a biology-rich amendment designed to support soil health and plant root zones. The process builds on decades of EM agricultural research. See EM Research Organization for more details.

An Activated Microbial Inoculant (AMI) is a fermented liquid product made from TerraFerm final product, molasses, water, and organic nutrient inputs. When properly extended and applied, it can introduce and support diverse microbial populations in soil, on compost, and around plant root zones. By brewing the TerraFerm Commercial ASAM product you are able to make the AMI reducing the cost even more.

The TerraFerm Dry Ingredient Kit contains pre-measured organic inputs including sea minerals, kelp, fermented organic materials, and other syntropic inputs — all pre-weighed for your batch size. You source the Mother Culture, unsulfured molasses, and water separately (available via our affiliate links). Ingredient details ship with your first order.

The Liquid Concentrate Kit contains pre-measured marine-derived and fermented liquid inputs to complement the dry kit in a full ASAM brew. Like the dry kit, the Mother Culture, molasses, and water are sourced separately. Complete usage instructions are included with your order.

Kits are available for 5-gallon, 15-gallon, and 55-gallon batch sizes. Choose the size that fits your operation — or order multiple sizes to scale.

You'll need: EM Inoculant / Mother Culture (via our affiliate link to SCD BioAg or TeraGanix), unsulfured blackstrap molasses, water, a brewing vessel, pH test strips or a meter, and a thermometer. Cubitainers for storage are also recommended. All of these are listed in our Shop under Affiliate Products.

Dry and Liquid ingredient kits have a shelf life of 12–24 months when stored in a cool, dry location away from direct sunlight and moisture. Check your kit packaging for specifics.

Compost tea is brewed aerobically — using an air pump to oxygenate water and extract microbes from compost over 24–48 hours. The result has essentially no shelf life and must be applied almost immediately.

TerraFerm's Commercial ASAM Brew is a fully fermented, commercial-grade microbial inoculant — not an extract. It is produced through a controlled fermentation process using a live Mother Culture starter and TerraFerm's organic nutrient inputs. When properly fermented and stored, the finished brew is a stable, biology-rich product with a shelf life of 2 or more years — making it practical for large-scale operations, resale, and distribution. You can create your own brand of a high quality microbial input.

Note: Activation is a separate, optional step in which a small volume of finished brew is extended into a larger volume using additional water and molasses. The activated product has a much shorter shelf life of weeks to months and should not be confused with the commercial brew.

TerraFerm kits and education focus on producing the long-shelf-life fermented brew and enabling you to Activate the Commercial ASAM you brew.

Brewing time depends on temperature, ambient conditions, vessel setup, and fermentation quality indicators. Specific timing guidance — including how to monitor fermentation progress and determine when your brew is ready — is covered in your first-order documentation and in TerraFerm's online courses. Do not rely on fixed timelines alone; learn to read the process. In general the Commercial ASAM process takes ~ six weeks.

You'll need a food-grade fermenting vessel that can hold and maintain temperature up to 130°F for several days — insulation is important. The vessel should vent through an airlock (not be fully sealed), allowing CO2 to escape while keeping outside air out.

Standard food-grade containers in 5-gallon, 15-gallon, and 60-gallon sizes work well for most operations. For commercial-scale production, consider a purpose-built brew vessel such as the 55-Gallon Blichmann BoilerMaker G2 Brew Pot (homebrewing.org).

You'll also need a thermometer, pH test strips or a meter, an ORP meter to monitor fermentation quality, and cubitainers or equivalent sealed containers for the finished product. All monitoring tools are available in our Shop.

The brew should hold temperature up to 130°F during the fermentation process. Ambient temperature management and monitoring guidance is included with your first order.

Not if you follow the process. The inputs are pre-measured, the instructions are step-by-step, and the key variables are manageable with basic equipment. Growers with no prior fermentation experience have successfully brewed with TerraFerm kits. Our courses and consulting are available if you want additional support.

Both the Commercial ASAM brew you make and Activated Microbial Innoculate are designed for agriculture and horticulture applications including soil drenching, fertigation, compost pile inoculation, foliar support, seed treatment, and transplant support. It is used by vineyard owners, orchardists, row crop growers, regenerative farming operations, landscape and turf professionals, and compost producers.

Common application methods include soil drench, injection through drip or fertigation systems, compost inoculation, and diluted foliar spray. Application method depends on crop type, growth stage, and your program goals. Detailed application guidance is included with your first order and covered in TerraFerm's online courses.

Dilution rates and application volumes depend on the crop, growth stage, soil conditions, and application method. Detailed usage tables are provided in your order documentation and in our online courses. A TerraFerm consulting package can help you develop a program specific to your operation.

When brewed correctly and stored in sealed cubitainers or equivalent containers — away from direct sunlight, temperature extremes, and air exposure — a properly fermented ASAM brew can remain viable for months. Shelf life depends on fermentation quality, storage conditions, and pH. Note: this refers to the brewed product. Diluted or "activated" product has a much shorter shelf life of days to weeks and should be applied promptly. An ORP meter and pH strips help you monitor product viability; both are available in our Shop.

TerraFerm kits use naturally derived organic inputs. However, organic certification eligibility depends on your specific certifying body, their approved input list, and your finished product's compliance with applicable regulations. TerraFerm does not make blanket organic certification claims. Buyers should confirm eligibility with their certifier before applying in certified organic production.

Our ingredient kits are not currently OMRI listed. Organic certification compatibility varies by certifier and region. If OMRI listing or other specific certification is required for your program, please contact us before purchasing.

In many U.S. states and international jurisdictions, applying or selling a fermented microbial amendment may require fertilizer or soil amendment registration. Requirements vary by state, country, and intended use (personal vs. commercial). Buyers are responsible for confirming labeling, registration, and compliance requirements in their jurisdiction. TerraFerm provides ingredients and education — not a registered finished product. This does not constitute legal or regulatory advice.

Currently, TerraFerm ships within the United States. International availability is in development. Join our email list to be notified when international shipping becomes available.

Orders are typically processed and shipped within 3–5 business days. You'll receive tracking information by email when your order ships.