To feed a global population of 9.7 billion people by 2050, farmers need to produce 50% more calories than they do today. However, large-scale farms rely on synthetic fertilizers, which degrade their soil and release more CO₂ emissions than global aviation and shipping combined.  

Earnest Agriculture has designed a microbial consortium that protects crops against diseases, pests, and drought while improving soil health. Applied as a seed coating, it’s a triple whammy that can boost yields by 7x, reduce synthetic chemical use, and make crops more resilient to climate change. Earnest sources its patented microbes from natural prairies and uses a machine learning algorithm to formulate a microbe consortium that works in diverse climates and soil conditions. By focusing on the $570 billion livestock feed market first and crops for human consumption second, Earnest will minimize regulatory friction and get to market faster. 

The grandchildren of farmers, co-founders Gabe Price, PhD, and Eddy Mejia launched Earnest in 2019. They currently have a paid pilot with CD Ford and Sons and field trials with the University of Illinois, Grand Farms, and Winfield United. A win for farmers, soils, and our climate, Earnest probiotics will play an important role in global food security.