WENATCHEE, WA - A landmark partnership deal between CMI Orchards and Royal Family Farming has led to a groundbreaking initiative: The Soil Center. Spearheaded by the Allred family, Co-Owners of CMI Orchards and sole proprietors of Royal Family Farming, The Soil Center’s overall mission is to revolutionize the sector with innovative soil health solutions.

“CMI is steadfast in its commitment to a carbon-negative fruit industry. Our partnership with The Soil Center reflects this commitment. We are focused on creating a model that helps the entire agricultural sector, extending these advantages to all growers,” remarks CMI Orchards President Bob Mast. “Our efforts are aimed at enhancing the global agricultural environment sustainably, and our customers and end consumers deserve to be served by companies passionately devoted to the highest standards of land and animal stewardship. This project isn't just a mission; it's a promise of that commitment in action brought together by a family whose dedication has transformed what it means to farm with the future in mind.”

CMI has extensive expertise in fruit production, a complement to the sustainable farming methodology of Royal Family Farming. The joint venture aims to supply agricultural soil amendments and supplies not only to the owners and network of growers associated with CMI and RFF but also to the wider agricultural community.

"What began as a personal endeavor to support our family's farming efforts has blossomed into one of the largest regenerative farms operating at scale. We're taking the intimate, red barn farmer's market approach and expanding it, proving that sustainable practices can be successfully implemented on a larger scale,” adds Austin Allred, President of Royal Family Farming. “Rethinking our approach to carbon is imperative in this journey. Our goal is to significantly increase soil carbon, a critical factor for cultivating healthier crops and fostering a more resilient agricultural ecosystem. A major part of our mission is to educate consumers and shift the general perspective on carbon. It’s not just about reducing carbon in the atmosphere; it's about enhancing carbon in the soil, where it can do the most good for our planet."

Part of The Soil Center’s core mission, as a press release explained, involves transforming byproducts from orchards, row crops, dairy, and beef operations into high-quality soil amendments, thereby merging innovative fruit production with the principles of regenerative farming.

At the heart of The Soil Center's mission is the development of the world's largest worm farm and a comprehensive waste processing system.

"This project is a game-changer in the way we think about byproducts and waste streams. We are committed to finding innovative methods to repurpose waste from our farming and packing operations and enhancing soil health,” says Dr. John Cox, appointed President, The Soil Center. “This initiative is crucial in bringing the importance of soil function to the forefront of the agricultural community and beyond. Healthy crops and sustainable agriculture truly start from the ground up."

The Soil Center is set to break ground by Q2 2024 and will be supplying its innovative soil amendment products to the CMI grower network later that same year. By Q1 2025, The Soil Center aims to extend these products to the wider agricultural community.

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