Fertile Earth Among Three Winners of the 2025 MDIA Innovation Challenge
The Big News
Fertile Earth has received an incredible $100,000 equity investment from the prestigious Miami-Dade Innovation Authority.
What Does This Mean?
It means that for the next year, we will be spearheading proof-of-concept on several ideas to introduce large-scale, accelerated composting designed for the unique environment of South Florida. We will be working directly with the Miami-Dade Department of Solid Waste Management and our friends at Sustainable Generation to ensure that composting in South Florida is efficient, safe, and viable. Together we will set the standard for large-scale composting in Miami-Dade, while at the same time employing novel methods of food diversion.
(Fertile Earth is one of four groups selected to test innovative processes with Miami-Dade County, while we work to establish a sustainable future.)
Original Announcement from Miami-Dade Innovation Authority
Fertile Earth Worm Farm, one of the winners of Miami-Dade County Department of Solid Waste Management, collects organic material using specialized composting trucks to help divert it from landfills.
Their work focuses on converting these materials into high-quality soil blends and worm castings, providing a productive use for organics that would otherwise become waste.
By demonstrating a clear model for organics collection and processing, Fertile Earth Worm Farm supports ongoing efforts to improve how Miami-Dade County manages solid waste and explores practical pathways for diversion.
MDIA is proud to highlight Fertile Earth Worm Farm’s contribution to this challenge and their focus on advancing solutions rooted in daily operations and community needs.
Acceptance Speech
About MDIA
A project aimed at providing the county proof-of-concept for large-scale composting in the county’s unique environment. Dr. Lanette Sobel’s innovative approaches will be tested in conjunction with multiple agencies to prove their efficiency, safety, and viability. This program will set the standard for large-scale composting in Miami-Dade, while at the same time employing novel methods of food diversion.
Fertile Earth is one of three companies to have received a $100,000 equity investment from the Miami-Dade Innovation Authority this year, and will partner with the Miami-Dade Department of Solid Waste Management (DSWM) and Sustainable Generation in this project.
Who’s Up for the Challenge?
So Miami-Dade County, who’s up for the challenge? If you are a large producer of food scraps, we want to hear from you. We have onboarding specials, so the time is now to get on board with composting. We are calling on restaurants, stadiums, universities, casinos, municipalities, hospitals, hotels, food distributors, and cruise lines.
Join the Miami Heat, the Florida Marlins, Pura Vida, Miami-Dade County Public Schools, Baptist Hospitals, Chipotle, Whole Foods, and Starbucks, as the companies already working with us and trailblazing a future for composting in Miami-Dade County.