Beyond Organic: How Sacred Plant Co Achieved 400% Soil Biology Increase in One Season

How Sacred Plant Co Achieved 400% Soil Biology Increase in One Season

In the world of agriculture, "organic" certification tells you what a farmer didn't do. No synthetic pesticides. No GMO seeds. No chemical fertilizers. But it reveals nothing about what they did do. At Sacred Plant Co, we follow a standard that goes beyond labels and certifications. We follow a standard that measures results. Through Korean Natural Farming (KNF) methodology and regenerative agriculture practices at our I·M·POSSIBLE Farm in Fruita, Colorado, we don't just avoid harmful inputs. We actively build soil biology, sequester carbon, increase nutrient density, and create the conditions for medicinal herbs to develop their full therapeutic potential.

The difference shows up in laboratory testing. From April 2025 to December 2025, a single growing season following KNF protocols, the Haney Soil Health Test documented transformation that conventional agriculture cannot achieve. Soil organic matter increased 348 percent. Microbial respiration increased 632 percent. Available phosphorus increased 1,867 percent. These numbers represent more than agricultural statistics. They represent a fundamental shift in how we understand the relationship between soil health, plant biology, and medicinal quality. This is soil that breathes. This is soil that lives. This is soil that produces herbs with therapeutic compounds that depleted farmland simply cannot replicate.

Understanding the Haney Soil Health Test

Developed by USDA scientist Dr. Rick Haney at the Grassland, Soil and Water Research Laboratory in Temple, Texas, the Haney Test represents a paradigm shift in how we assess agricultural soil1. Traditional soil tests measure only chemical nutrient concentrations. They answer the question: "What nutrients are present?" The Haney Test asks better questions: "What nutrients are biologically available? How active is the soil microbial community? How efficiently is this soil cycling nutrients?"

The test integrates chemical and biological measurements to create a comprehensive picture of soil ecosystem function2. It measures soil respiration as an indicator of microbial biomass and activity. It quantifies water-extractable organic carbon (WEOC) and water-extractable organic nitrogen (WEON), the pools of nutrients readily available to both microbes and plants. It uses the H3A extractant, which mimics organic acids produced by living plant roots, to determine how plants actually access nutrients in real growing conditions rather than theoretical laboratory conditions.

The Solvita CO2 burst test, a core component of the Haney assessment, measures how much carbon dioxide soil microorganisms release during a 24-hour period after the soil is rewetted3. This respiration reading reveals microbial biomass and activity levels. Readings range from near zero in biologically dead soil to over 1,000 parts per million (ppm) CO2-C in exceptionally fertile systems. Most agricultural soils, even those following conventional organic practices, score below 200 ppm. Sacred Plant Co's December 2025 measurement of 176.8 ppm CO2-C, up from 24.1 ppm in April, demonstrates the dramatic increase in biological activity achieved through regenerative methods.

What Microbial Respiration Reveals

Soil respiration functions as the heartbeat of the soil ecosystem. Higher respiration indicates more abundant microbial life, which drives critical processes including nutrient cycling, organic matter formation, disease suppression, and stimulation of plant growth4. When microbes consume organic carbon and respire CO2, they simultaneously mineralize nitrogen, phosphorus, and other nutrients from organic forms into plant-available inorganic forms. A soil that breathes vigorously is a soil that feeds plants efficiently.

The water-extractable organic carbon (WEOC) measurement reveals the quality, not just quantity, of carbon in soil5. While total soil organic matter represents the "house" that microbes live in, WEOC represents the "food" they actively consume. This pool of readily metabolizable carbon drives microbial activity and determines how quickly organic nitrogen can be converted to plant-available forms. The organic carbon-to-nitrogen ratio (from water extract, not total soil) indicates whether the soil system will release nitrogen to plants or temporarily sequester it in microbial biomass. Ratios below 20:1 generally support net nitrogen mineralization, while higher ratios may indicate temporary nutrient tie-up.

Why Soil Biology Matters for Medicinal Herbs

The connection between soil health and medicinal compound production represents one of the most significant findings in recent phytochemistry research. Plants synthesize secondary metabolites (the compounds that provide medicinal benefits) in response to environmental conditions, microbial interactions, and nutrient availability6. Different ecologically limiting factors including soil water, soil fertility, temperature, and soil microbial communities have significant impact on medicinal plants' physiological and biochemical responses, as well as the secondary metabolic process.

Research demonstrates that herbs grown in biologically active, mineral-rich soil through regenerative practices typically produce higher concentrations of therapeutic secondary metabolites compared to chemically-fertilized monocultures7. This occurs because plants synthesize defensive compounds (many of which provide medicinal benefits) in response to environmental stressors and microbial interactions present in diverse soil ecosystems. A plant growing in depleted soil, force-fed synthetic nitrogen, experiences fundamentally different conditions than a plant growing in living soil rich with mycorrhizal fungi, beneficial bacteria, and organic nutrient pools.

The rhizosphere, the zone of soil directly influenced by plant roots, contains approximately 7 million microorganisms per hectare in healthy systems8. These microorganisms form complex relationships with plant roots, exchanging nutrients for carbon-rich root exudates. Plants actively feed soil microbes by secreting sugars and other compounds into the rhizosphere. In return, microbes make nutrients available, produce plant growth hormones, suppress pathogens, and trigger plant immune responses that increase production of therapeutic compounds.

Microbial Diversity and Phytochemical Quality

Environmental factors significantly influence the accumulation of plant secondary metabolites9. Studies on medicinal plants consistently show that soil fertility affects not just plant growth but the concentration and diversity of bioactive compounds. When soil-applied phosphorus was increased in Trigonella foenum-graecum (fenugreek), seed yield increased 131 percent, but more importantly, trigonelline content increased 17.84 percent and seed alkaloid content increased 32.98 percent. The mineral availability, mediated by soil microbial activity, directly influenced medicinal compound production.

Mycorrhizal fungi, which form symbiotic relationships with plant roots, play particularly critical roles in medicinal herb quality10. These fungi extend the effective root zone of plants, accessing nutrients and water beyond the plant's direct reach. They also produce signaling compounds that trigger increased production of defensive secondary metabolites in plant tissues. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi colonization, enhanced by Korean Natural Farming practices, has been shown to increase plant uptake of phosphorus and other nutrients while simultaneously boosting concentrations of flavonoids, alkaloids, and other therapeutic compounds.

Korean Natural Farming: The Methodology Behind the Results

Korean Natural Farming, developed by Master Han Kyu Cho beginning in the 1960s, represents an agricultural philosophy fundamentally different from both conventional and organic farming11. Rather than purchasing external inputs, KNF emphasizes capturing and cultivating indigenous microorganisms (IMO) from the local environment. Rather than fighting against nature with pesticides and herbicides, KNF works with natural biological systems to create conditions where beneficial organisms outcompete pathogens and pests.

The fundamental insight of KNF is to strengthen the biological functions of each aspect of plant growth in order to increase productivity and nutrition. Biology thereby reduces or eliminates the need for chemical interventions, whether to protect against predation or competition with other plants12. For example, the metabolism of indigenous microorganisms produces complete proteins, while many insect pests prefer incomplete proteins. By enhancing soil biology, plants become inherently less attractive to pests without any pesticide application.

Indigenous Microorganisms: The Foundation of KNF

The process of culturing indigenous microorganisms involves collecting naturally occurring beneficial fungi and bacteria from undisturbed forest areas, then propagating these microbes through a series of stages before application to agricultural soil13. IMO-1, the first stage, involves placing cooked rice in a wooden box in a forest location where leaf litter and organic matter are decomposing. After several days, beneficial microorganisms colonize the rice, visible as white mycelial growth.

This colonized rice is then mixed with brown sugar in equal parts to create IMO-2, which stabilizes the microbes by drawing out moisture and forcing them into a dormant state where they can be stored. IMO-3 involves mixing this stabilized inoculant with rice bran or wheat mill run and composting at low temperatures to multiply the microbial populations. IMO-4 mixes this material with farm soil and biochar, creating a final product that can be applied directly to fields or further composted with crop residues to create IMO-5.

Throughout this process, KNF practitioners add other preparations including fermented plant juice (FPJ), which provides plant growth hormones and soluble nutrients; lactic acid bacteria serum (LABS), which supports beneficial fermentation and suppresses pathogens; and oriental herbal nutrients (OHN), which provide trace minerals and bioactive compounds14. These preparations work synergistically to build soil biology while providing plants with readily available nutrition.

How KNF Builds Soil Organic Matter Rapidly

The 348 percent increase in soil organic matter achieved at I·M·POSSIBLE Farm in a single season reflects KNF's efficiency at building stable humus. Unlike conventional composting, which often loses significant carbon to the atmosphere through high-temperature decomposition, KNF's low-temperature fermentation processes retain more carbon in forms that become stable soil organic matter15. The diverse microbial communities cultivated through IMO applications produce enzymes that break down crop residues and create complex organic compounds that resist further decomposition.

Biochar application, integrated into IMO-4 production, provides stable carbon structures with high surface area and porosity. This enables the biochar to adsorb nutrients, retain water, and provide habitat for beneficial microorganisms. The combination of biochar with active microbial inoculants creates what researchers call "primed" biochar, where the carbon structure becomes colonized with beneficial organisms that enhance its soil-building functions.

The Phosphorus Paradox: Why Microbial Activity Matters

The 1,867 percent increase in available phosphorus documented at Sacred Plant Co's farm illustrates one of the most important differences between biological and chemical agriculture. Most agricultural soils contain abundant total phosphorus, often from years of fertilizer applications. However, much of this phosphorus exists in forms unavailable to plants. It binds to soil minerals, especially in alkaline soils common in Colorado. It becomes locked in organic compounds that plants cannot directly access.

Soil microorganisms solve the phosphorus availability problem through multiple mechanisms16. Mycorrhizal fungi extend far beyond plant roots, accessing phosphorus in soil zones the plant cannot reach, then transferring it directly into root cells through hyphal connections. Bacteria produce organic acids that dissolve mineral-bound phosphorus. Other microbes produce enzymes called phosphatases that break down organic phosphorus compounds, releasing plant-available inorganic phosphate.

The H3A extractant used in the Haney Test mimics the organic acids that plant roots and soil microbes produce17. By measuring nutrients extracted with H3A rather than harsh chemical extractants, the test reveals what plants can actually access in biological soil systems. The dramatic increase in H3A-extractable phosphorus at I·M·POSSIBLE Farm indicates not just more total phosphorus, but a more active microbial community capable of making existing phosphorus available.

Nitrogen Cycling in Living Soil Systems

The 215 percent increase in total nitrogen, measured through water extraction, represents a different phenomenon than phosphorus mineralization. The Haney Test measures both inorganic nitrogen (nitrate and ammonium) and water-extractable organic nitrogen (WEON), which represents nitrogen in organic compounds that soil microbes can readily convert to plant-available forms18. This organic nitrogen pool, largely invisible to traditional soil tests, can account for more available nitrogen than the inorganic forms in healthy soils.

Korean Natural Farming practices build this organic nitrogen pool through several mechanisms. Lactic acid bacteria serum applications support beneficial bacteria that fix atmospheric nitrogen. Cover cropping and green manure crops, when terminated and incorporated with IMO applications, decompose rapidly while retaining nitrogen in microbial biomass rather than losing it to leaching or volatilization. The fermented plant juice preparations provide readily available organic nitrogen that feeds microbial populations, which in turn mineralize nitrogen from more complex organic matter.

The carbon-to-nitrogen ratio measured in the water extract indicates whether soil will release or sequester nitrogen. At Sacred Plant Co, the progression from low initial biological activity to robust microbial populations has created conditions for efficient nitrogen cycling. Rather than relying on purchased nitrogen fertilizers, the farm produces nitrogen availability through biological activity. Research suggests that healthy regenerative systems can credit 50 to 100 pounds of nitrogen per acre per season from organic nitrogen mineralization alone.

Beyond Organic: What Regenerative Really Means

The distinction between organic certification and regenerative agriculture extends beyond semantics. Organic standards prohibit certain inputs but prescribe no outcomes. A farm can be certified organic while losing topsoil to erosion, depleting soil organic matter, and producing nutritionally inferior crops. Organic certification says nothing about soil biology, carbon sequestration, water retention, or ecosystem restoration. It defines a production system by what it excludes, not by what it achieves.

Regenerative agriculture, by contrast, defines itself through measurable improvements in soil health and ecosystem function19. It focuses on outcomes, not just methods. Sacred Plant Co's decision to pursue Haney Soil Health Testing rather than organic certification reflects this outcome-based approach. The test provides quantifiable evidence of soil improvement. It documents increases in biological activity, nutrient availability, and carbon sequestration. These metrics matter more than certification labels because they directly correlate with herb quality and medicinal potency.

The Regenerative Difference in Practice

At I·M·POSSIBLE Farm, regenerative practices include minimal tillage to preserve soil structure and protect fungal networks, diverse cover crop mixtures that feed soil biology during fallow periods, integration of poultry that convert crop residues into high-quality compost while controlling pests, and Korean Natural Farming inputs that build rather than deplete soil resources. These practices work synergistically. Cover crops provide organic matter that feeds microbes cultured through KNF methods. Poultry accelerate composting while adding nitrogen. Minimal tillage preserves the mycorrhizal networks that KNF practices enhance.

The results appear not just in soil tests but in plant vigor, pest resistance, and water efficiency. Research on regenerative systems shows they can reduce water requirements by 30 to 40 percent compared to conventional agriculture while maintaining or improving yields20. This occurs because high soil organic matter and active microbial communities dramatically improve water infiltration and retention. Every one percent increase in soil organic matter increases water-holding capacity by approximately 20,000 gallons per acre.

Measuring Success: The Haney Soil Health Score

Measuring Success: The Haney Soil Health Score

The Haney Test generates an overall soil health score ranging from 0 to 50, calculated by combining soil respiration, water-extractable organic carbon, and organic nitrogen. It is the ultimate "vital signs" check for farmland.

• The Industry Standard: Most agricultural soils score below 7.

• The Target: Scores above 7 indicate robust health. Scores above 15 are typically found only in pristine, native forests.

The Sacred Plant Co Difference Our progression demonstrates the explosive potential of regenerative agriculture. In April 2025, our soil scored a 7.4, a respectable baseline for organic land. By December 2025, our biological systems had activated completely, driving our calculated score to 25.4.

This result places our soil vitality far above even "good" regenerative farms. It proves that our land has crossed a critical threshold.

Implications for Herbal Medicine Quality

The documented increases in soil organic matter, microbial activity, and nutrient availability translate directly to medicinal herb quality through multiple pathways. First, improved nutrient availability supports robust plant growth without the salt stress and nutritional imbalances common in synthetically fertilized systems. Plants access a complete spectrum of macro and micronutrients in balanced ratios mediated by microbial activity.

Second, the diverse microbial community produces signaling compounds that trigger plant immune responses and secondary metabolite production22. Research shows that plants grown in microbiologically active soil produce higher concentrations of flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenoids, and other medicinal compounds compared to plants grown in sterilized or biologically depleted soil. The stress is beneficial stress, activating plant defenses without compromising growth.

Third, mycorrhizal colonization enhances plant access to phosphorus and trace minerals while triggering increased production of therapeutic compounds. Studies on various medicinal plants show that arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi colonization can increase concentrations of bioactive compounds by 20 to 40 percent compared to non-mycorrhizal controls. The Korean Natural Farming practices employed at Sacred Plant Co specifically enhance mycorrhizal populations through low-disturbance methods and carbon-rich amendments.

Conclusion: Results Over Labels

The transformation documented in Sacred Plant Co's Haney Soil Health Test results demonstrates what regenerative agriculture achieves beyond the limitations of certification programs. In one growing season, applying Korean Natural Farming methodology, degraded Colorado farmland became a thriving ecosystem with soil organic matter levels approaching those of native grasslands, microbial activity comparable to forest soils, and nutrient availability that eliminates dependence on purchased fertilizers.

These results matter not as abstract agricultural statistics but as direct indicators of medicinal herb quality. The soil that breathes at 176.8 ppm CO2-C supports microbial communities that trigger enhanced secondary metabolite production. The organic matter at 12.1 percent provides stable, balanced nutrition without the salt stress of synthetic fertilizers. The phosphorus availability at 196.2 ppm, mobilized by biological activity rather than chemical extraction, supports robust plant growth and optimal phytochemical synthesis.

When we say Sacred Plant Co goes beyond organic, we mean we pursue measurable outcomes rather than regulatory compliance. We mean we prioritize soil biology over marketing labels. We mean we test our soil and prove our methods rather than simply avoiding prohibited inputs. The choice between "organic" and regenerative is not a choice between good and better. It is a choice between a production system defined by what it prohibits and a production system defined by what it achieves. At Sacred Plant Co, we choose achievement. We choose to build soil. We choose to prove results. We choose to produce herbs with the therapeutic quality that only living soil can create.