top of page

What is NEKashi?

NEKashi is our take on Bokashi and an ode to the Northeast Kingdom (NEK) of Vermont where each batch is carefully mixed, fermented and cured.

History of Bokashi

The exact origin of bokashi is unknown, but it is a fermented grain made from a process of anaerobic fermentation used for composting and to enhance growing systems around the world. Most often a form of wheat bran is used as a medium that gets inoculated with a diverse array of healthy microbes, yeasts, bacterias and actinomycetes known as Efficient Microbes or EM-1. This then gets cured in a drying process and can be used to enhance soil and plant health by adding life and making nutrients more bio-available. 

 

In the 1980’s in Okinawa, Japan a microbiologist, Dr. Teguo Higa observed the effects of naturally occurring bacteria and yeasts on soil and plants. Based on his learnings, he developed a concoction called, Effective Microorganisms 1 or EM-1. He noticed that when used on rotting vegetables, there were no odors and similarly when sprinkled on animal excrements from livestock pens, smells were eliminated. Later on, Dr. Higa learned of the Efficient Microbe's ability to ferment food waste without foul smells and to break down chemical pollutants into more inert forms. His research led to the widespread use of EM-1 for many uses including to remove mold, mildew, chemicals and even oil from homes.

​

We find that EM1 is the best source of microbiological inoculant there is as it creates diversely populated and nutrient dense bokashi bran.

Why is it Beneficial? 

Bokashi bran inoculated with EM-1 is an activator and accelerator that helps to turn your food scraps into a fertilizer of nutrients, microbes and probiotics that will bring your soil to life! By incorporating bokashi into your landscape, livestock yard, litter box, compost pile, garden or house plants, you are bringing beneficial microorganisms that help the process of decomposition while recycling nutrients and making them more bio-available to your plants and soil life. 

​

Using NEKashi is a viable method for repairing the environment, turning food scraps into nutrient rich compost, reducing the need for fertilizers and chemicals, and restoring soils for generations to come.

How to use NEKashi

Sprinkle NEKashi around your home and garden to introduce probiotics, yeasts, actinomycetes and bacteria that aid in decomposition, reduce odors and introduce healthy microbial life to your growing systems. NEKashi helps to increase soil health, improve germination, increase nutrient absorption and improve plant health.

​Suggested use: 

  • In your food scrap bucket (2-4 tablespoons weekly)

  • On your compost pile (2 cups/gallon)

  • In your compost toilet (1 cup/use)

  • When transplanting annuals and perennials (2-4 tablespoons in each hole)

  • In your cat litter box (1 cup/bin)

  • Directly on dog waste (2-4 tablespoons)

  • In your livestock yard (sprinkle ½ gallon per 100 square feet or 2-4 tablespoons directly on fresh or dried piles)

  • Sprinkle on top of house plants and water in

​

NEKashi Ingredients: Organic Wheat Bran, Organic Molasses, EM-1 (Microbial Inoculant), Spring Water

​

NEKashi bran should be stored at room temperature, out of direct sunlight and in an airtight container, like our little green buckets (lgbs). When stored properly, it can be viable for up to 2 years, but why store it when you can be building soil microbiology now! 

​

Creating NEKashi

Step One

Mix Organic Wheat Bran with EM-1, Organic Molasses and Water