What is leonardite (raw humate)?

• increased root development
• maximized nutrient uptake
• buffering salty soils and water
• softening hard packed ground which promotes water penetration
• amend/maintain soil health and vigor

Fulvic acid is derived from several sources, one of the best being leonardite. Leonardite is a mined mineral that contains humic/fulvic substances and is a naturally occurring source of carbon plus trace minerals. Using a specific manufacturing process, you can separate the fulvic substances from the leonardite creating fulvic acid, ours being called Integrate. Fulvic acid is traditionally designed to be foliar applied which means it is sprayed onto the leaves of the plant instead of the soil. The molecular structure of fulvic acid has an ability to latch itself onto biologicals and nutrients at a cellular level regardless of it having a positive or negative charge. Plants are constantly consuming carbon and when the plant recognizes free available carbon (fulvic acid) sprayed on its leaves, it will instantly absorb it. Which in turn transports whatever the fulvic acid has attached itself to (i.e.: foliar fertilizer/contact herbicide) into the plant. Fulvic acid can be used in place of traditional oils, stickers, or spreaders which are designed to stick the plant long enough for absorption, whereas fulvic acid is consumed by the plant within seconds. Blend fulvic acid with any contact herbicide or foliar fertilizer/nutrient that you wish to foliar apply to the plant to maximize availability.

The main reason humic and fulvic acids are so different is due to the source of the raw material. There are 5 major sources of raw material to make humic and fulvic acids out of; Rutile sand deposits, Pete Moss deposits, Lignites or some times referred to as Pre-Lignitic Coals, Coal, and Leonardite or Leonardite Shales. These raw materials can all be classified as Humates. The big difference between all these products is how old they are and how deep they are buried in the earth. The younger and the deeper they are buried, the slower they work when applied as soil applications. The younger the raw material is most important to watch. Then the deeper the product is buried would come second. Let me walk through the 5 sources listed. Rutile sand deposits are mostly found in the Florida area. They are the youngest of the 5. Although they are not buried very deep, in my opinion, they are the weakest source of Humates available. Pete Moss deposits are all over the Northwestern and Southeastern United States. They are commonly found in forest type geographical areas. They make good potting mixes. They are second youngest and also found on top of the ground. You will know you are dealing with a Pete Moss deposit when the Ash content is constantly referred to. Lignites or Pre-Lignitic Coals are the most common sources of Humates on the market. This product is usually an over burden to a coal mine. There is no BTU value to this product, so the mines sell it as Humates. This product never made it to Coal, thus the term Pre-Lignitic Coal was formed. This raw source will extract a much higher source of Humic acid than all other sources. But, do not be fooled by Humic acid percentages. Higher is not always better. If you look at the highest percentage Humic acids on the market, you will also notice a large amount of sediment on the bottom of the barrel. This is the “Humin” portion of Humates. They have no value to the soil. They are great for compost piles. They will not dissolve or go into solution at any pH, unlike Humic acid and Fulvic acid. Remember to look for high Humin content in high percentage Humic acid products. The Dakota’s, Utah, Idaho, and Colorado are loaded with this type of Humate. Leonardite or Leonardite Shale deposits are the highest quality products on the market. They have oxidized past the coal stage and are buried extremely shallow. Their Humic content may not be as high as Lignites, but their Fulvic content is much higher. Make sure to find a fresh water deposit, not a salt water deposit like most Lignites. Many producers of Humic and Fulvic acids think and classify there Humate deposits as Leonardite Shales when they are really Lignites. Look at my definitions of Humic and Fulvic acids (Jenner 8 and Integrate descriptions too) for a better understanding of the above information.

The short answer is mostly. By most state standards, if you wish to claim a product is organic and sell it, you must be certified by a certification agency. Many retailers at common farmers markets or simple “mom-and-pop” stores may claim organic and they may very well be, but if you really want to be sure always ask if they are certified organic. If they aren’t then there is technically no way of proving they are practicing 100% organic standards. There are many different organic certification agencies, some being independently owned and others which are state funded. If a business is certified organic, this means that a certification agency has inspected their practices and given the stamp of approval. In which case you can be assured that this company is in fact organic. Individuals or businesses that are certified organic but are caught cheating may be heavily fined and sentenced to years of prison time.

Being certified organic means that a business or supplier has been thoroughly inspected by an organic certification agency and been approved. In farming for instance, this means that a grower is abstaining from using chemicals, synthetic fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides and only implementing natural sources to remedy and grow the crop. In some case’s the certification agency will perform in person inspections and in others they will comb through ingredients and products used to verify organic practices. If a company or individual is caught cheating while in possession of an organic certification, they may be heavily fined or sentenced to years of prison time.

There are many benefits to choosing organic products, one of the best being cleaner ingredients that do not contain man-made preservatives or other harmful substances. In recent years, consumers have largely become more mindful of the foods and products they expose themselves and their families to. If you wish to live a healthier more natural lifestyle, organic products are certainly for you.

Leonardite is naturally occurring source of carbon which is a mined mineral containing humic/ fulvic substances plus trace minerals.

• Increased performance of fertilizers/nutrients added
• Amend/maintain soil health and vigor
• Promote root growth and establishment
• Buffering salty soils
• Softening hard packed ground which promotes water penetration