Episode
The EW Podcast - Jack Higgins & Kirk Castner - Behind the Scenes at EarthWorks
- Podcast
- The EarthWorks Podcast
- Published
- Jul 2, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 2714
- Processing state
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Summary
Jack Higgins sits down with EarthWorks’ Kirk Castner for a behind-the-scenes look at how the company has evolved over the past decade and where it's headed next. Rather than focusing on agronomy alone, this episode explores the people, manufacturing, logistics, and philosophy that allow EarthWorks to continue meeting growing demand while maintaining product quality. Jack and Kirk reflect on their years with EarthWorks and discuss the tremendous growth the company has experienced, expanding from a single granulation facility to multiple production plants across the United States. They explain how increasing demand from golf courses has expanded into sports turf, parks, universities, hydroseeding, construction, and tree care, requiring significant investments in new manufacturing capacity. The conversation dives into the unique partnership with Rose Acre Farms and how EarthWorks turns poultry manure into premium compost-based fertilizers through a true circular economy. Kirk explains the lengthy composting process, new composting technologies, odor reduction efforts, expanded compost storage, and additional granulation facilities currently under construction. They also discuss the global fertilizer market, including how geopolitical events can dramatically impact synthetic fertilizer availability and pricing, while highlighting the advantages of sourcing and producing organic fertilizers domestically. The discussion reinforces EarthWorks' long-standing commitment to building healthier soils rather than simply supplying nitrogen. On the liquid side of the business, Kirk shares how automation, robotics, and improved production systems have increased efficiency while preserving the small-batch manufacturing process that keeps EarthWorks liquid products biologically active a…