About Us
Who Is Cultivated
Here's our 'business talk' wording:
Cultivated EcoSystems LTD. is a start up in rural Pictou County created from the growing frustration over the high costs to grow our own food and the difficulty to source environmental plant care products that actually work. Through researching environmental methods to deliver proper plant care with low environmental impact, we have developed a strategy to simplify a biological method which produces self sustaining plant nutrition by diverting waste in a customizable format to reach all types of plants. We are a zero-waste, environmentally focused company specializing in soil biology and plant nutrition - We Bring Soil Back To Life.
Here's our 'how we actually talk' wording:
Cultivated was created because the support system we, as busy Moms, needed does not exist or is not accessible to most here in Canada. We had to figure things out on our own, Google can get you started but to really learn gardening you need to try and fail or learn from someone with hands on experience - and we love experiments!
Marla and I (Angie) have known each other forever and always shared similar passions for helping others and the environment. We finally decided ENOUGH when it comes to the quality of soil nutrients and gardening advice available and decided to bring EASY, FUN & ACCESSABLE back into the language of gardening!
Now we help growers of all shapes, sizes and abilities to find success in their gardens - no matter what success means to them! We help anyone wanting to grow anything from the beginner to the for-profit grower to bring their soil back to life and find their passion!
What We Do
In our words
Our main focus is support.
Supporting Growers - What that support looks like varies depending on what their needs are and what success is to them. Growing shouldn't be a mystery or a research project and it definitely should NOT cost you hundreds of dollars to get started! Push past those thoughts of what it 'should be', live in the now and make it happen with patience and advice.
Supporting Soil - It's well known that soil is dying at an alarming rate world-wide (and if this is the first time you've heard it, I'm sorry to be the bearer of bad news). This is being caused by numerous things including how we are using the soil, treating the soil and growing. We see yields decrease so farms need to expand, fertilizers running off and causing algae blooms, soil losing all ability to retain water and there is a major drought - this depressing list could go on.
Our biological method re-establishes a new or supports an existing healthy soil ecosystem. Just like above ground, there is a tiny ecosystem of diverse organisms working around the clock to support each other and plants are a part of this. Microbes are able to release nutrients that exist in the soil at the root when and where the plants need it - it's a no brainer! These ecosystems are self sustaining and they repopulate themselves! So we cultivate these ecosystems, based on your soil and plant needs, and offer them to you as product if you're in NS or as a recipe & how-to for everywhere and anywhere, to support your soil and growing. These ecosystems improve yield so no need to expand, they don't contain Nitrogen (but they do release it) so no runoff concerns, they build and loosen soil so it can once again retain water - this uplifting list could go on!
Business words again
We grow healthy, beneficial soil biology using diverted organic waste from businesses and homeowners throughout Nova Scotia.
Applying our products can establish a colony of micro-organisms which allow plants to uptake the nutrients which are locked in the soil. Through the soil food chain, micro-organisms release the nutrients plants need in a form their roots can absorb. A well fed plant has better ability to withstand drought, fight pest & disease plus have higher food value for the end user. These micro-organism colonies also encourage deeper root systems, improve soil quality and texture, allow better water retention and reduce weed presence*.
*Weeds are reduced because they thrive in a high bacteria soil which is the opposite of most desired plants. By introducing competitive microorganisms and reducing the number of weed supporting bacteria, other plants can thrive faster to snuff out the weeds and the weeds will find it too difficult to exist there.
About our team
Co-Founder Marla Cameron
Marla can usually be found playing in the worm farm or behind the microscope. Her education and experience in biology, waste management and soil life has built a solid foundation for everything underground. Marla was motivated to co-create this company because of the quality products just weren't easily available for everyone. She also wanted to prove to herself and her daughters that not everything has a cookie cutter solution; looking at things from a different angle can solve many problems. She is a helper by nature and wants to support her community and beyond.
Contact Marla: marla@cultivatedeco.ca
Co-Founder Angie VanKessel
Angie can usually be found investigating in fields or behind the computer answering your questions (and typing this). Her education and experience in horticulture, entomology and customer service has built a solid foundation for everything above ground. Angie was motivated to co-create this company because she found it almost impossible to access the solutions needed for her property clients that was beneficial, safe and that worked! She's always lived by the rule; 'If it's not safe to touch, why am I putting it on my food?'. She has a passion for helping others learn gardening and will talk your ear off if you bring up questions about anything with roots!
Contact Angie: angie@cultivatedeco.ca