‘Closing the Loop’ with Recycled High-Phosphorus Organic Fertilizers: Organic Science in the Making

Researchers in Manitoba are exploring innovative ways to recycle nutrients and create new fertilizer options for organic farmers. Dr. Joanne Thiessen Martens from the University of Manitoba and Dr. Henry Wilson from AAFC Brandon are studying the potential to develop high-phosphorus organic fertilizers by co-composting nutrient-rich organic materials—such as yard waste and food waste—with phosphorus-rich mineral by-products like struvite. In this episode, we explore how their research on recycled nutrient inputs could support crop agronomy while delivering environmental benefits for Canadian agriculture. This podcast series was originally released as the film series Captured on Film: Organic Science in the Making. You can find links to the films – and more information about all the research activities - on the Organic Science Cluster 4 website. That’s Organic-Science-Canada.ca Organic Science Cluster 4 is an industry-led research and development endeavour co-managed by the Organic Federation of Canada and the Organic Agriculture Centre of Canada at Dalhousie University and supported by the AgriScience Program under Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership together with over 80 funding partners.