Agromin gives kids a taste of the earth

DIGGIN' IT- Kids get a chance to work the soil at a program by Camarillo-based Agromin.

Agromin, a premium soil manufacturer and green waste recycler, donated 14 tons of soil conditioner, outdoor planting mix and wood bark to Oxnard's Rio Lindo School for its new flower and vegetable garden.

The material was placed in 10 planters at the school that had been overgrown with weeds. On Sat., Sept. 8, more than 40 parent and student volunteers helped pull weeds, turn the soil mix into the planter boxes, and plant flowers and a plum tree. Vegetables seeds will be planted next. "Each class has its own planting area to tend to," said Rene Lorenzana, Rio Lindo PTA president. "The planter boxes were in very bad shape. Parents, kids and teachers are excited about the garden and the beauty it will bring to the school."

Agromin also donated 20 "Carrots for Kids" and 20 salsa chili pepper seed growing kits to the school. These kits include a reusable planter box, Agromin soil, planting directions and seeds. Each carrot kit also contains an activity book, stickers, pencils and a bookmark.

Agromin soil products are made from materials collected from resident and business green recycling containers in Ventura, Santa Barbara and northern Los Angeles counties. The collected leaves, grass and wood is then cleaned and composted to create soil blends, bark and mulches.

"We want to teach kids about the importance of green material recycling as well as the fun of growing their own vegetables," said Bill Camarillo, president and CFO of Camarillo-based Agromin.

"Hopefully, they will become conscious of how their family disposes the green materials they produce. A family of four in California produces about 2 tons of green waste every year."

For more information about green recycling, visit www.agromin.com.