Munash Organics: Innovating Regenerative Gardening and Farming in Australia Through Soil Remineralization

Bec Djordjevic, founder and director of Munash Organics.

Bec Djordjevic’s journey to founding Munash Organics began in the rich volcanic soils of Pootilla, just outside Ballarat in Victoria, Australia. She grew up on a 60-acre organic plot of land that her father, Ian Munro, had purchased with the aim of growing produce without the use of synthetic chemicals. On the family farm, Bec developed a deep appreciation for nature, soil health, and agriculture from a young age. Her father, Ian, founded Munash Natural Fertilizers in 2001, which laid the groundwork for Munash Organics and Bec’s vision to replace petrochemical-based farming with sustainable, regenerative agricultural practices throughout Australia. 

The inspiration for Ian Munro’s family business (Munash Natural Fertilizers) came, in part, from the observation that vegetables grown in their nutrient-rich volcanic soils were not only healthier but also had superior flavor to vegetables grown elsewhere. This observation eventually led Bec’s family to explore how volcanic and other natural rock dusts could be used to enrich nutrient-poor soils and those degraded by intensive farming. In discussing the promise of using natural rock materials as soil amendments, Bec’s father, Ian, is quoted as saying: 

The principle of Rockdust is to balance the soils. That’s the most important thing it does. It can also balance water, improve air quality, as well as it being a very very good food source for microbes. It works on all soil types, which keeps it very simple.

From a Munash Organics Facebook post.

In 2011, Bec built on her father’s nature-based fertilizer work by founding Munash Organics. She recognized the market need for organic soil conditioning products that can be used by both backyard gardeners and larger-scale growers. Munash Organics is a second-generation family business dedicated to helping Australian growers of all scales transition to regenerative practices. 

The Munash Organics Philosophy

Based on Bec’s experiences on her family farm, Munash Organics was born out of a deep-rooted philosophy that connects human well-being directly to soil health. The company’s very name is an anagram of “humans,” reflecting their belief in the intrinsic link between people and the earth. The Munash philosophy goes beyond just product development; it’s a mission to revolutionize how growers think about gardening, agriculture, and our relationship with the natural world.

At the heart of Munash Organics’ approach is the concept of soil remineralization: the application of natural, mineral-rich rock powders to restore and revitalize degraded soils. Drawing from Ian Munro’s pioneering work blending different rock powders, the company developed products that replenish soil with essential macro, micro, and trace element nutrients. This approach stands in stark contrast to conventional fertilizers, which commonly contain a narrow range of macronutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, or NPK), which can contribute to environmental degradation. Conventional NPK fertilizers usually come in the form of salts produced by energy-intensive (e.g., high carbon footprint) industrial processes. Furthermore, their high macronutrient content and solubility can lead to hazardous accumulations of nitrogen and phosphorus, leading to eutrophication, oxygen depletion, and dead zones in local freshwater and near-shore ecosystems. The use of rock dust as a natural slow-release fertilizer (at recommended application rates) does not cause environmental damage to local ecosystems. In fact, the full nutrient spectrum found in volcanic rock dusts actually enriches soil ecosystems by providing trace elements to beneficial microorganisms and improving soil properties such as pH, texture, organic carbon, and water retention. As stated by the Munash Team: 

Our ancestors grew food in soil so rich, you could almost taste the minerals and vitality in every bite. The soil was alive—a vibrant, interconnected system where every worm, microbe, water droplet, root, and leaf played its part. Back then, they understood that soil wasn’t just a patch of dirt—it was the very source of life, filled with nutrients that made food truly nourishing. Fast forward to today, and things have changed. Our focus narrowed to NPK—Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium—just three pieces of a much bigger puzzle. But we forgot something vital: true soil health is about the whole picture, the entire system working in harmony. The physical, biological, and chemical connections in the soil are what make it thrive.

From a Munash Organics Facebook post.

Munash Organics’ motivation for popularizing soil remineralization extends beyond simply selling products. Bec and her team are also passionate about educating the public on the importance of soil health and the adoption of nature-based growing practices. They believe that by nurturing the soil, we can create thriving ecosystems both indoors and out, leading to more nutritious food, healthier plants, and, ultimately, healthier people. This educational mission is evident in their regular workshops, their demonstration garden, and their plans to transform their 150-acre farm into an educational space.

Munash is also driven by a desire to make sustainable gardening practices accessible to a younger generation. Recognizing that most buyers in the horticultural industry are women, and that there has traditionally been a lack of products targeted at younger farmers or gardeners, Bec has positioned Munash Organics to fill this gap. This approach not only differentiates them in a male-dominated industry but also helps to ensure that sustainable gardening practices are passed on to future generations. 

Innovative and Versatile Products 

Munash Organics has developed a diverse range of products for both home gardeners and larger scale agricultural operations. One of the key innovations in Munash’s approach is the addition of biological catalysts to their rock dust products. This process, done on-site at quarries, ensures that the silica and other nutrient elements released during weathering are readily available to plants in the soil. 

Munash’s product development is guided by extensive research and testing. They partner with independent organic agronomists to provide unbiased baseline testing of their soil amendment products. These tests include DNA analyses to identify and quantify microbial species, agronomic soil chemistry measurements, chemical and mineralogic analyses of rock materials, and soil carbon tests. This scientific approach ensures that their products not only improve plant growth but also contribute to overall soil ecosystem health. As stated by the Munash team, speaking about their standard rock dust product: 

Think of it as a soil conditioner – it feeds the entire soil matrix, nourishing the microbes, enzymes, and fungi that live there and creating a thriving, productive environment. While we’re often great at adding compost and fertilizers to boost plant nutrition, we sometimes forget about the real hero: the soil itself. For plants, animals, and even humans to thrive, soil needs to be nurtured and seen as the key to everything. So, rock minerals are more than just minerals – they’re soil food. They energize your compost, unlock hidden nutrients, and supercharge soil health.

From a Munash Organics Facebook post.

Munash is also working with university researchers on rigorous scientific research projects that objectively measure the impacts of regenerative agricultural practices such as soil remineralization. Data from these studies can be used to both optimize and communicate the advantages of regenerative growing techniques.  

Groundbreaking Research: The 2023 Australian National University Study

In 2023, Munash Organics took a significant step forward in validating their approach to soil health through a collaborative research project with the Australian National University (ANU). This study, led by Dr. Wolfram Buss from the Borevitz Plant Genomics for Climate Adaptation Group, investigated the effects of Munash Organics’ rock dust on nutrient uptake in wheat plants, soil organic matter stabilization, and carbon sequestration. 

The rock dust used in the tests was a blend of basalt and granite. Basalt, a volcanic rock common throughout Victoria, contains high levels of calcium, iron, and magnesium. Like basalt, granite is also formed from molten rock; however, it cools underground rather than as lava flows and contains significantly more potassium, sodium, and silicon. Both rock types contain well over 60 other minor and trace elements, such as phosphorus, manganese, zinc, copper, and molybdenum, some of which are essential for healthy plants and microbial communities. 

In addition to measuring how Munash Organics’ rock dust influenced trace nutrient uptake in wheat plants and the chemical/biological properties of the soil, the ANU study also aimed to quantify how rock dust weathering impacts two other key soil processes: 

1. The formation, accumulation, and stabilization of soil organic matter (i.e., carbon stored in the soil) and
2. The conversion of carbon dioxide into stable forms of carbon (called carbonates) that remain in soils and associated water bodies (i.e., groundwaters, rivers, lakes, and ultimately oceans).   

This research is thus particularly relevant in the context of climate change mitigation strategies, as both processes contribute to carbon dioxide removal from the atmosphere.

The methodology of the ANU study involved a 6-month pot trial using sandy loam soil. The researchers applied a blend of finely ground basalt and granite (similar to Munash’s Eco-Min product) at a rate of 4% by weight, which is equivalent to about 50 tonnes per hectare in field conditions. The experiment used a full factorial design, testing the effects of rock dust addition, the presence or absence of wheat plants, and two different watering regimes (high and low water).

Throughout the experiment, the researchers monitored various soil parameters, including pH, electrical conductivity, inorganic carbon content, and exchangeable calcium and magnesium levels. They also measured the uptake of the key trace elements manganese, zinc, and iron in wheat plants and conducted detailed analyses of soil organic matter. 

The findings of this study were both exciting and complex. One of the key results was that rock dust application increased the stability of soil organic matter, particularly in treatments without plants. Specifically, rock dust applications increased a stable form of organic carbon called mineral-associated organic matter by 22%. This was likely due to the formation of new soil minerals capable of bonding with (i.e., absorbing) soil organic matter. In non-planted treatments, the rock dust also increased soil aggregation, leading to a 46% increase in organic matter due to the inclusion of soil organic matter into the soil aggregates. 

The study also revealed some intriguing plant-soil interactions. For example, the presence of wheat plants partially counteracted the positive effects of rock dust on soil organic matter stabilization. The researchers hypothesized that this might be due to plant exudates released to solubilize micronutrients, potentially in response to reduced availability of some nutrients at higher soil pH levels caused by the rock dust.

Another significant finding was the effect of rock dust on soil inorganic carbon content (i.e., dissolved carbonate). While the increase in inorganic carbon was relatively small in the top layer of soil, it was more pronounced at the bottom of the pots, suggesting some carbon sequestration through the formation of stable inorganic forms of carbon (dissolved carbonate).

Despite some complexities, the overall results of the study were promising. Across all treatments, the addition of rock dust led to a considerably higher soil carbon content, and this effect was even greater in non-planted treatments. These findings suggest that using rock dust can not only improve plant health and nutrient density, but can also significantly impact soil carbon sequestration. The researchers caution, however, that the interactions between rock weathering, nutrient cycling, and water availability play crucial roles in modulating the key effects. They emphasized the need for further research to fully understand and optimize these processes in real-world agricultural settings. 

The collaboration with ANU marks just the beginning of Munash Organics’ commitment to scientific research. Bec and her team are continuing their partnership with ANU researchers, with plans to expand their research team to include colleagues from James Cook University in Queensland. These ongoing and future studies will focus on large-scale field demonstrations of soil remineralization using rock dust, aiming to bridge the gap between controlled experiments and real-world agricultural applications.

Despite the complexities and need for more data from a scientific perspective, Bec’s Munash team is also demonstrating the effectiveness of their products and approach by working with local Australian growers and businesses. In fact, Munash works with hundreds of farmers throughout Australia to help remineralize their soils with rock dust and biological amendments. They work with a range of different groups, from backyard gardeners to large-scale farmers. 

From Backyard Gardens to Vineyards: Munash’s Diverse Projects

Bec and her team keep Munash Organics engaged in a wide range of real-world projects in addition to the more controlled scientific studies. Their project portfolio showcases the versatility and effectiveness of Munash’s soil health approach. These projects not only serve as real-world demonstrations of their products’ efficacy but also contribute to broader research on sustainable agriculture practices.

One of Munash’s ongoing projects is a large-scale trial on a 110-hectare oats crop in Australia. This project, done in partnership with Kensington Produce and local farmers, aims to demonstrate the impact of Munash’s mineral-rich products on commercial crop production. The trial involves applying rock dust early in the growth cycle and conducting soil tests every eight weeks. The results so far have been promising, with visible improvements in crop health and vigor.

In the viticulture sector, Munash is working with Eco Vineyards and Dr. Mary Retallick to promote more sustainable vineyard practices. This collaboration encourages vineyards to incorporate rock minerals into their soil management strategies, alongside other sustainable practices like cover cropping and biodiversity enhancement. Interestingly, some results suggest that adding rock dust to vineyard soils can improve the taste of wine by altering the brix sugar levels of the grapes.

Munash is also making inroads in the turf management industry, working with golf courses to improve soil health and water conservation. Their products have shown the potential to conserve up to 30% of soil moisture, which could lead to significant environmental and economic benefits for golf course management.

The company’s reach extends to specialty crops as well. They supply products to truffle growers, showcasing the versatility of their soil amendments in supporting even the most particular crops. This diversity of applications demonstrates the broad applicability of Munash’s soil health philosophy across various agricultural sectors.

Beyond these commercial applications, Munash is deeply committed to education and community engagement. They have built a vegetable garden beside their office and run monthly workshops to teach sustainable gardening practices. These workshops emphasize the connection between soil trace elements and human health, teaching growers how adding rock dust changes soil pH, structure, mineralogy, hydrology, and biology.

Looking to the Future: Munash’s Ongoing Mission

Looking ahead, Munash Organics has ambitious plans for the future. They aim to transform their entire 150-acre farm into an educational space, creating a living laboratory where people can learn about and experience the benefits of sustainable soil management firsthand. This vision aligns perfectly with their mission to educate and inspire a new generation of gardeners and farmers.

Speaking with Joanna Campe, Executive Director of RTE, Bec shared:  

“My big passion is obviously to connect soil wellness with our health, and I don’t fully believe that everyone is aware that our soils are lacking in trace elements and minerals.” 

In their workshops, Munash emphasizes that soil trace elements are essential for nutrition and health. They also teach growers about the whole system approach to soil care, for example, how the addition of rock dust changes soil pH, structure, mineralogy, hydrology and biology.

The company is also working to scale up its operations while maintaining its commitment to sustainable practices. They’re partnering with more quarries in different regions to make rock dust amendments more widely available and economically viable. At the same time, they’re maintaining their focus on small- to medium-scale farm operations, recognizing the importance of demonstrating results at all scales.

Interestingly, when Campe asked about the potential for applying for carbon credits based on the carbon sequestration potential of their amendments, Bec’s response revealed the depth of Munash’s commitment to holistic soil health. “I’m more passionate about getting more trace elements and minerals back into our food system,” she said, emphasizing that while carbon sequestration is important, the ultimate goal is to improve the overall health of our soils and the nutrition of our foods.

As Munash Organics continues to grow and evolve, they remain true to their roots – quite literally. From Bec’s childhood on the family farm to her current position as a leader in sustainable soil management, Munash’s journey reflects a deep commitment to nurturing the connection between humans and the earth. Through their innovative products, groundbreaking research, and tireless educational efforts, Munash Organics is not just growing plants – they’re cultivating a healthier, more sustainable future for us all.

James Jerden is an environmental scientist and science writer focused on researching and promoting sustainable solutions to urgent environmental problems. He holds a Ph.D. in geochemistry from Virginia Tech and a Master’s degree in geology from Boston College. Over the past 20 years, James has worked as a research geochemist and science educator. He joined Remineralize the Earth because of their effective advocacy, research, and partnership projects that support sustainable solutions to urgent environmental issues such as soil degradation (food security), water pollution from chemical fertilizers (water security), deforestation, and climate change. As a science writer for RTE, his goal is to bring the science and promise of soil remineralization to a broad, non-technical audience. When not writing, he can be found at his drum set.