Northwest Biotech starting health from the ground up

NEWDALE - Northwest Biotech is ahead of the curve when it comes to fertilizer. They’ve began producing potent, eco-friendly fertilizer before going green became popular.

"It was my dad’s business he started doing this in the 70’s. He understood that the farming practices were destroying soil, and crops, and human health,” Owner of Northwest Biotech, Chantry Mason said.

Northwest Biotech produces a unique biological fertilizer blend using worm castings. Bacteria is taken from the worm droppings and used as a base for the soil additive.

The organic fertilizer is chemical free, and Mason said it works to enhance all the qualities of farm soil, and of the crop. In Eastern Idaho, Northwest Biotech is frequently used by growers during the potato season.

“When you farm them biologically they are actually filled with healthy starches, and antioxidants. They weigh more, they shrink less. They’re just better tasting and better for you,” Mason said.

“Fertile rich alive soil, produces rich live food,” Founder Gary Mason said.

Liquid microbes, fish fertilizer, natural acids, and kelp make up the biological program of the fertilizer. The fish product used is that of oceanic fish which is shipped by train from California.

“We add biological nutrients and different ingredients to the soil to replenish it,” Chantry Mason said.

Stan Schwendiman has been Northwest Biotech products for 13 years and has seen more than a visible difference in his crops.

“The quality has gone up, the yield has gone up, and the storability. We don’t have any storage problems generally,” said Stan Schwendiman, owner of Schwendiman farms in Newdale.

Potatoes aren’t the only crops the fertilizer is used on.

“Potatoes, corn, alfalfa, grain, sugar beets. If the crops grow in the Snake River Valley, we can put it on it,” said Mason.

The organic fertilizer benefits the soil now and for many harvests to come.

"I believe in enhanced agriculture. To make it better year after year. I say we have to care for the soil like we care for the plants,” Gary Mason said.