MicroBiometers now available … get the tech that ONfungi uses to measure soil microbial mass (carbon) and fungal to bacterial ratio
Our 2023 MicroBiometer kits have arrived. Get yours now. On sale, free shipping, tax included; $175.
and go here to buy
2023 is all about farms, herbs, and parties
Feb 23, 2023 — And we’re back! Hectic fall schedule left a volunteer shortage, but with the long winter nights; we’re back with three exciting new 2023 themes.
- The year of the farm. We have a record amount of FDC ready for experimental use. And three farms have signed up so far. Join in and follow along. This will be fun.
- The great herbaceous hoedown is on. A recent study highlighted the role fungi have in creating turpenes in herbs. Turpenes are what makes herbs so delicious to smell and taste. So our second study will be looking at increased flavour in herbs with the use of FDC. (Note: Kelvin’s experiment result found FDC created “the most flavourful oregano we’ve ever grown.”)
- We wish to continue to grow the community. We will be planning extraordinary events this year. Stay tuned.
Volunteers requested
We need volunteers looking to write up the experiment results; get into the field with farmers and record results; and generally entertain a wide variety of easy fun tasks. A “community party planner” would be especially welcome.
Contact Kelvin at admin@admin
2022 fungal dominant compost record — 24 for 2024 bioreactors full!
Nov 8, 2022 — Scott Hortop and a team of volunteers set a new record for FDC creation. 400 bags of yard waste are now 24 bioreactors creating FDC for use in 2024. WOW. See the full story here
Upcoming events
March 22
ZOOM seminar: Catch up on all the ONfungi news and learn more about FDC. Journey to Sustainability along with ONfungi explores fungal dominant compost. Register here
Sunday, April 16
ONfungi will once again be in Kemptville at the North Grenville Sustainability Fair.
May 26
Perth Farmer’s Market: We’ll be in Perth for the Saturday Farmers Market at the Crystal Palace. Bring a bag; compost soil for home garden use will be available by donation.
Dates upcoming
Rideau Horticultural Club board is meeting with Kelvin on March 21 to determine a date for an activity. We also expect to part of Westport’s Eco Fest 2023.
Seedy Sunday: Seedy Sunday organizers are joining with ONfungi to get FDC packs to local gardeners. Ask your local horticultural club for details.
Community gardens and horticultural clubs receive additional support thanks to ONfungi donors. Contact admin@onfungi.net to join up.
Community garden experiment begins with beans
July 8, 2022 — The South Lanark Community Garden partnered with ONfungi to test ONfdc (fungal dominant compost) in this seasons community garden.
Our Youth Community Garden Program has inoculated and planted 3 varieties of bush beans to see how they perform in comparison to non-inoculated control beans of the same varieties. To our amazement the inoculated beans have emerged first.
Cliff Neudorf
Let the 2022 testing season begin!
Update July 6, 2022 — Alberto is reporting results from the soil inoculated with ONfdc with Red Wheat as superior, fair with both the foliar and non inoculated rows. Photos to follow.
First news is in: May 29, 2022
May 9, 2022 — ONfungi’s own Dr. Alberto Suarez Esteban is off and growing with a four variation test plot looking at ONfdc with both different application types, methods and plant varieties.
Alberto will update us on his progress and give us an overview of his work as soon as he gets a free moment. Market gardeners and scientists both have very busy schedules. So let’s all take a moment to thank him for his work!
3.7, the new batch of ONfdc is a record maker
Scott the wizard of compost Hortop has hit a new peak. Folks, anything over 3 to 1 fungi to bacteria ratio is considered excellent. To hit 3.7, absolutely amazing. Please join us in giving Scott a big round of applause and much glory.
This batch of ONfdc (fungal dominant compost) was started by volunteers in 2020. Hovered over and cared for by Scott.
Remember, its your interest, work, support and love that keep us going. And its paying off. We are making really good progress on the science. Our volunteer board and members is so weighted with talent we are just tickled pink.
The kits are going out steadily to a wide range of farms, garden, education and lawn groups, citizen scientists of all kinds. Thank you everyone for your kind words and kinder work.
And here’s to Scott!
Note: all orders are now being shipped with the new 3.7 ONfdc.
The new 2022 experiments are here!
Our own Alberto Suarez Esteban has designed this years experiment cycle. And Kelvin has been able to start getting the instructions online! Great! Let’s go!
For spring 2022 we are testing the FDC in three ways:
1) using seeds for germination and growth tests
2) applying to a lawn, or top dressing a lawn
3) use with seedlings (already started plants)
See our 2022 experiments page for full info.
ONfungi’s citizen science welcomes new partner The South Lanark Community Garden
March 14, 2022 — The South Lanark Community Garden is the newest addition to our citizen science project.
South Lanark Community Garden has agreed to run a variety of the citizen science experiments, use youth volunteers, and build bioreactors; all in support of healthier soil and food for all.
Learn more about South Lanark Community Garden here.
Are we growing! Yes! Join in!
In the article “Farms following soil-friendly practices grow heatlhier food” we see that science is supporting the contention that soil-building techniques can improve plant nutrient density.
This year we’re testing our ONfdc (fungal dominant compost) for just that reason. Can we grow more nutrient dense foods? Join our citizen science and find out.
ONfungi is growing
Due to determination and hard work in 2021 we’re very pleased to say we’re being joined by a new volunteer. The esteemed scientist and Phd Alberto Suarez Esteban is now leading our citizen science team. You can learn more about Alberto on our Who We Are page here.
Our shop is now open with new 2022 citizen science
New for spring 2022 is more citizen science, better testing, bigger product sizes and lower costs for gardeners and soil regeneration citizen scientists
Join the farmers; market gardeners; community gardens; private gardens; lawn professionals — just a few of the folks and organizations joining with ONfungi — and get your ONfdc (fungal dominant compost) growing now.
Ideal for seed starting!
Get your ONfdc kit here. Grow, observe, report!
Its easy. Fun. And you’re doing real work towards creating a healthier tomorrow for everyone.
Double the amount; 40% off! Get your citizen science kit and grow home soil while yielding science results
That’s right, all kits are shipping with the NEW 3.7 ONfdc! Until June 15 ONfungi starter / citizen science kits are only $22 including shipping! These 100g 150g (nah, 300g!!!) kits are perfect for inoculating gardens, lawns, seed starting soils and more.
Plus — bonus 50g for the first 500 kits. Now doubled!
We are introducing the Woo ecommerce solution, let us know what you think. Special thanks to Fundrzr (and volunteer Tim!) for their support of our 2021 efforts.
Now featuring our new 3.7 ONfdc. Thank you for your support.
And remember, until June 15 all kits are doubled.
2021 Test Bed Planting Report Now Available
Dec 22, 2021 — The Regenerative Effects of Fungal Dominant Compost: Pilot Study has been released. The report, prepared by Emma Roy, Scott Hortop and Hailee Turry, is part of our ONfungi citizen science project and research series. The work, done over the summer of 2021, continues to advance and expand the understanding of the utility of Fungal Dominant Compost (FDC).
Love fungi? check out news from around the world, book reviews and more
Dec 03, 2021 — Read now about the new SPUN project that looks to map fungal networks around the world. Also new work by researchers Merlin Sheldrake; Canadian Suzanne Simard. Discover more notable fungi voices faster at our new page.
We would love your input. Suggestions and reviews welcomed.
Join the science team. Buy your citizen science kit here!
Just in: New video outlines Lawn Experiment cycle “Mix, Strain, Apply”
Nov 15, 2021 — In this video we demonstrate the basic “Lawn Enhancement Study.” This citizen science exploriation is designed to test whether the fungal dominant compost (FDC) can build carbon in lawn soils. We will observe changes to the soil and plants, measuring carbon and fungal/bacteria balance.
For full instructions see “Lawn Experiment Demonstration”
And don’t forget … buy a citizen science kit and join in!
Eight new ONfungi bioreactors are full and on the journey to 2023 lawn, garden and farm use
Nov 1, 2021 — Volunteers Pam Steele and Mike Pitcher (l-r) pose by the bioreactors being started for the 2023 growing season. Along with Dave Bustard (not shown) the crew has now filled 4 of 8 bioreactors (update-Nov 2) (“Almost 5”-Nov 3)
“I’m really impressed with their dedication. They started a new bioreactor this morning and by finish time it was full,” said Scott the wizard Hortop.
The new volunteers join the bioreactor crew of Scott Hortop, Mark MacKenzie, Kelvin Hodges and Emma Roy. “We have 8 new bioreactors prepping fungal dominant compost (FDC) in support of the 2023 growing season,” said Emma. “I’m looking forward to years of continuing research.”
Follow the Story: Video and plans for the bioreactors are in progress.
See Kelvin and Sue's video results on rooting success here.
Fall farm test cycle finds ONfungi FDC doubles soil carbon, improves fungal balance and results in larger growth
Our final microbiometer readings were extraordinary. The plot with the Fungal Dominant Compost (FDC) now boasts a 1.4:1 fungal to bacteria ratio. In contrast, the control measures 0.6:1. For a comparison, a high quality forest soil typically boasts a 3:1 fungi to bacteria ratio. Grasslands are typically 1:1. Plus, when we look at soil carbon levels, we see that in 8 weeks this treated soil went from poor in carbon to superior. Fabiotic!
Follow Emma’s test bed cycle here.
ONfungi says “find joy”
To restore the planet, let’s play in the mud
ONfungi is a group of volunteers and one biologist who organize citizen science soil restoration and carbon storage explorations.
It works as you apply our “mud” or Fungal Dominant Compost (ONfdc) to your lawn, garden or farm field. When you report the results using the online reporting fields; you become the planets soil hero!
Your time, money and hard work are then used to do neat science. Plant, Observe and Report! Its fun, its easy, and it adds to the very real science required to address climate change.
Yes, you are a climate science hero. Get your ONfungi experiment Kit and play.
Learn more about our citizen science and how to join in here
Discover joy for all ages using your lawn or garden. Its about gathering data and having fun. Rural? special consideration for farmers doing no-till. Urban? your support also supports farmers.
To support ONfungi, with a donation go here: The planet thanks you.
Win a pin!
Hopefully we’ll have better access to the reporting feature and more … secret surprises? Maybe. Well. Yes, but we’re trying to be mysterious.
Thanks to Fundrazr. They have provided their platform and assistance at no cost to ONfungi. They believe in what we are doing too.
We are also deeply grateful to Sustainable Eastern Ontario for their Intern Support Program.
With a special nod to GreenDavid.ca for their help developing and publishing this work.