These people feed grains and are OMRI. But I found another company that sells for the same price and their castings are made from Alpaca manure. They are not OMRI but seems like castings from alpaca manure would contain more beneficial bacteria? I checked the state dept and they have very little in terms of metal in their castings.

<a 2,000 lbs bag of castings> Not all in one bag is it?

You have a way to transport 1 ton?

If its really in a bag , where in the world is a bag that large and how in the world would it be lifted without tearing the bag, just curious.

The bag is called a flexible intermediate bulk container.

If its truly in one bag, I'd assume its a super sack something like this, which would likely require a forklift (as in the picture).

Hey the parsley. When I say OMRI certified I mean they feed their worms organic grains. I don't think they provide NPK numbers, though. I'm not sure if it's ok to post their website here so I won't do it unless I get an OK.

I spoke to someone who has bought from them and he said he's been to their facility and they are legit. He uses their product.

I spoke to the owner of the alpaca castings and he seemed very knowledgeable. He said his castings would be 1:1:1. He says it takes him at least 6 months to get castings from his manure piles. I only mention this because I went to a third website where they said the following: "We compost our manure and garden waste as well as leaves wood chips and grass clippings to make compost that is rich in microbial life and fungal mycorrhizae. This compost is screened and fed to the worms to produce some of the best worm castings that you will ever see. Unfortunately, many others producing castings on a commercial level are more like worm casting factories. They strip rich black peat topsoil or peat moss and truck it in. They put worms in it for 10 to 14 days and call it castings."

I also spoke to this gentleman and I have no doubt his castings are of superior quality. Nevertheless, he would charge $1,200 per ton and it would be around $600 for shipping. So if I got 2 tons it would be around $0.73 per pound.

I'm getting samples from all 3 companies. But I'm not sure what I'm looking for, though.

"You have a way to transport 1 ton?"

No. But both local companies offer delivery for $0.75/mile. I'm about 150 miles from them, so add another $125 give or take to the $600 making the total price per pound $0.36.

Yes, it's all in one bag.

I wanted to add that the third gentleman (the expensive one)... well I saw some videos of his compost piles (horse manure mainly) and he seemed legit. What he said about putting worms in peat for 2 weeks and call it a day made me worry. I have no doubt his castings are the best, but it's more than twice the price.

Here's a video of the expensive-castings' setup.

I used to work at a bait and tackle shop. Our worm vendor may have made more money selling casings than worms.

I am in California, the people purchasing worm casings were growing marijuana, thus justifying the cost of the growing medium.

What are you planning to sell?

Hi Jim. I won't sell anything. It is curious to me, though, how the marijuana industry is so concerned about organics, good mediums, pesticide free, etc. Yet our food industry is only concerned about making money, cutting corners, etc, etc. We are what we eat. We are what we consume.

I had a life changing experience last year and I want to become a healthy human being. I want to feed my family the best food available. Money is not an issue. Honestly, $725 or $1,450 is not a lot of money when you consider that these beds will be living organic soil for the rest of time. After the initial investment.

Buying organic at the supermarket costs a lot of money. And if you want me to be frank, I don't trust that all of these companies are 100% organic. They may pass initial inspection but after that, I don't think OMRI or whoever is in charge tests all their products. It is impossible.

After this initial investment, my beds will be living soil and they will be full of worms and creating nutrients for years to come. I just want to give them the best start possible.

But if the difference in price doesn't justify that, then I would obviously chose the best and cheapest option.

Respectfully

<I don't trust that all of these companies are 100% organic.>

I often think they call it Organic so they can charge more. You only know what is sprayed on things you grow yourself. I worked a garden fair where a woman came up with a stem from her tomato plant and asked "What can I spray on this?"

I said are you going to eat from these plants? Then why would you want to spray anything? Some people are looking for picture perfect plants when all they are eating is the fruit.

<Honestly, $725 or $1,450 is not a lot of money when you consider that
these beds will be living organic soil for the rest of time. After the
initial investment.>

I have to say that most people do not think that way. Kudos to you.