When Green Technologies, LLC began operations in 1999, sustainability was an early concept in the agricultural industry. Still, the company remained dedicated to growing as a market leader in sustainability and innovation. Now, as the company celebrates 25 years, there is a push from all sides of the industry to adopt sustainable practices and provide more eco-friendly options to consumers.
Based in Jacksonville, Florida, GreenTechnologies’ mission is to provide sustainable alternatives to chemical fertilizers that can be harmful to the environment. GreenEdge, GreenTechnologies’ biobased fertilizer, is a slow-release fertilizer, meaning its organic material helps plants to bring up nutrients slowly and to retain more moisture than non-organic fertilizers. This efficient nutrient release allows consumers to use less fertilizer and water, making it one of the most cost-effective, sustainable ways to maintain a healthy soil ecosystem.
GreenTechnologies is embedded in the community and sees the impact of its work daily. The company’s manufacturing plant sits in Clay County, a rural community in Northeast Florida where local producers and farmers stop to buy GreenEdge. Being close to consumers allows GreenTechnologies to offer jobs to community members and create a local economic impact.
To strengthen its commitment to reshaping sustainable practices, GreenTechnologies joined the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) BioPreferred Program, an initiative that helps increase the purchase and use of “biobased” products - products determined by USDA to be composed wholly or significantly of biological products, including renewable chemicals.
Part of the BioPreferred Program is the voluntary labeling initiative, which allows businesses that sell biobased products to apply for a USDA certification and display a USDA Certified Biobased Product label on certified biobased products. This label makes it easier for consumers to identify sustainable purchasing options.
GreenTechnologies, one of the first companies to be certified by the BioPreferred Program, says the partnership with USDA helps legitimize its commitment to sustainability practices and builds trust with consumers. When consumers see GreenEdge fertilizers at their local store, they also see the USDA Certified Biobased Product label, and can be reassured that GreenEdge contains a verified amount of renewable biological ingredients.
“The USDA Certified Biobased Product seal signals to our customers and the broader community that we are committed to sustainable practices and deliver high-quality, renewable fertilizer products,” said Dr. Amir Varshovi, CEO and co-founder of GreenTechnologies. “Our continued participation in the BioPreferred Program has helped us achieve significant growth and recognition in the marketplace.”
GreenTechnologies was also the recipient of a USDA Fertilizer Production and Expansion Program (FPEP) Grant in 2023, which has helped the company immensely with production upgrades and expansion—a vital step in improving sustainability practices for the future. GreenTechnologies plans to continue research and find new ways to replace fossil-fuel based products with biobased alternatives.