Biofertilizer company to donate to farming incubator program

Surya Biofertilizers, a local company that sells environmentally safe soil-conditioning fertilizers, has pledged to donate 20% of its local retail sales revenue to support Lowcountry Local First’s new farming incubator program.

The Growing New Farmers Incubator Program aims to support and train sustainable farmers.

The program selected three participants for an apprenticeship program, and they began intensive training in sustainable agriculture, including such aspects as harvesting, sales and planting, in April.

They also are taking classes on business planning, marketing and development of crop plans for their own future farms.

“The focus on a stronger local system of sustainable agricultural production and consumption, one that provides an alternative to industrial farms, imported goods and out-of-control fuel expenditure, fits perfectly with Surya’s commitment to a more sustainable way of life,” says Joe Bryan, executive vice president of Surya. “We’re thrilled that an organization like Lowcountry Local First exists in our back yard and are honored to lend a hand in supporting their efforts.”

Surya Biofertilizers is led by Jonathan Butler, who also co-founded Automated Trading Desk. He located Surya’s headquarters in Charleston and started operations in October 2008.