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MDIA & Miami-Dade County

Fertile Earth Among Three Winners of the 2025 MDIA Innovation Challenge

MDIA announces winners of their 2025 innovation challenge
The announcement MDIA Innovation Challenge · December 2025

The Big News

MDIA 2025 Innovation Challenge winner

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 test 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 on this proof-of-concept project. Our goal is to establish an efficient, safe, and viable process, and the hope is that the results will be used by the county when they create the new composting guidelines.

(Fertile Earth is one of three groups selected to test innovative processes with Miami-Dade County, while we work to help 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

Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava and Dr. Lanette Sobel, owner of Fertile Earth.
Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava and Dr. Lanette Sobel at the MDIA Innovation Challenge announcement
Mayor Daniella Levine Cava and Dr. Lanette Sobel at the MDIA Innovation Challenge announcement, December 2025.
MDIA 5th Public Innovation Challenge sign at the announcement event
MDIA 5th Public Innovation Challenge — propelling waste diversion and sustainable solutions across Miami-Dade County.
MDIA team — Riyaad Seecharan, Leigh-Ann A. Buchanan, Dr. Lanette Sobel, and Abhiram Manchi
From left: Riyaad Seecharan, Product Pilot Manager, MDIA; Leigh-Ann A. Buchanan, Esq., President & CEO, MDIA; Dr. Lanette Sobel; Abhiram Manchi, Technical Infrastructure Associate, MDIA.