World’s largest environmental event demonstrates innovative treatment on venue grounds
EarthX Reduces Carbon Footprint with Organic Soil “Probiotics” from Locus Agricultural Solutions
DALLAS (April 27, 2019) EarthX 2019 will pull carbon dioxide from the atmosphere during the largest environmental event, thanks to a new and innovative approach—microbial soil “probiotic” treatments from biotech pioneer Locus Agricultural Solutions (Locus AG). The turf treated has the potential to sequester up to 3.2 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalents from the atmosphere annually per acre.
On Wednesday, Locus AG treated just over two acres of turf at the conference venue with fresh and organic soil “probiotics” that enhance the ability of plants to “scrub” additional carbon from the atmosphere and deposit it in soil, where it is needed for optimal plant productivity and vitality. As a result, Locus AG’s treatments help reduce greenhouse gases while enriching soil.
The collaboration with Locus AG helps EarthX, which runs April 25-28 at Fair Park in Dallas, meet its goal of being carbon-
neutral.
“EarthX is more than just a platform for people to come together and talk about the future of our planet, it’s a chance for us to apply the innovative solutions companies like Locus AG have developed,” said Tony Keane, chief executive officer of EarthX. “The chance to put an idea like soil ‘probiotics’ into practice for an audience of more than 100,000 is beyond exciting.”
Locus AG’s proprietary technology lets the company quickly grow highly-concentrated, organic-certified mixtures of proven microbial strains (“probiotics”), and customize the solutions for specific plant types and regions. The treatments are delivered refrigerated with a food source within a few weeks of production to ensure optimal efficacy.
“Initial results demonstrating accelerated soil carbon sequestration show promising potential for large-scale use of ‘probiotics’ to reduce carbon footprints,” said Dr. Paul Zorner, soil health expert and CEO of Locus AG. “We feel we have an approach that
can be used immediately and effectively to reduce atmospheric CO2 .and are conducting extensive additional research to better understand environmental variables and how to best optimize the impact of these treatments.”
How it works
A surprisingly small amount of Locus AG’s treatments delivers impressive results: just three ounces treat an entire acre. The solutions improve root vigor, which leads to healthier plants and more productive crops. Plants naturally convert CO2 into complex sugars through photosynthesis, and secrete up to 30% of those sugars into the soil surrounding their roots. There, they “feed” microbes (“probiotics”) that are important to their growth and vitality—just as a human’s gut microbiome is important to that person’s health and vitality.
And because Locus AG’s soil “probiotics” increase leaf chlorophyll content and fibrous root mass, a plant’s natural ability to remove carbon from the environment and deposit in soil becomes supercharged.
Initial 2018 data from third-party studies show that Florida orange trees deposited up to an additional 4.4 metric tons per acre of CO2 equivalents annually. California grapes reduced up to an additional 3.5 metric tons per acre. Sod reduced up to an additional 3.2 metric tons, making the 60 million acres of managed turf in the United States a focus market for deploying the innovative technology.
“Because of our small-scale fermentation method, we can easily create solutions to empower anyone who wants to partake – large agricultural growers, municipal complexes, or even homeowners who want their lawns, landscapes and gardens to remove additional greenhouse gases,” Zorner said.
Since 2017, Locus AG has used its line of soil “probiotics” to treat commercial agriculture crops, including more than 4.5 million orange trees in Florida and 40,000+ acres across the U.S. A similar product line for homeowners will be available soon. Visit LocusAG.com to learn more.
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About EarthX
EarthX convenes the world’s largest environmental expo, conference and film festival. Founded in 2011 as Earth Day Dallas by environmentalist and businessman Trammell S. Crow, the Texas-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization promotes environmental awareness and impact through conscious business, nonpartisan collaboration and community-driven sustainable solutions. In 2018, the event drew over 138,000 attendees, 2,000 environmental leaders, 700 exhibitors and 400 speakers. EarthX2019 will be held April 26-28, 2019 in Dallas. Visit EarthX.org, or on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram at @earthxorg. EarthX Media Contact: Ariel Herr, ariel@hargrovepartnership.com, 469-235-2708
About Locus Agricultural Solutions®
Locus Agricultural Solutions® (Locus AG) uses unique, microbrewery-type production technology to develop non-GMO, organic soil “probiotics” that sustainably feed the world, improve plant vitality and minimize environmental impact—starting from the ground up. The treatments are customized to local conditions, soil types and plant types, and are delivered refrigerated for maximum freshness. Ongoing treatments result in improved plant resilience and vigor, higher productivity, more soil carbon deposition and reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. The cost-effective solutions are easily applied without changing standard practices and specifically address top challenges, including soil health, plant productivity and climate change—while improving user profits. Locus AG leverages its core scientific capabilities from its parent organization, Locus Fermentation Solutions (Locus FS), an Ohio-based green technology company. For more information, visit visit LocusAG.com.