Keeping out weed algae
Hundreds of aquatic organisms can bloom in nutrient rich water in warm sunshine, just as in a natural lake or swimming pool. Unlike a garden, weeding out unwanted algae is a difficult task since this algae is microscopic. Preventing weed algae from taking over is the key to growing a pure culture.

6.4. Pure cultures in the farm laboratory.

Ecological pond management
Conventional farmers kill weeds and pests in their fields with pesticides and herbicides, leaving residues in the environment, on farm workers, and in your food. Earthrise Farms scientists keep out weed algae without toxic chemicals using a specially designed pond system and balancing the pond ecology. Producing spirulina under these controlled conditions does not allow growth of contaminant or weed algae as in lakes and waterways.

6.5. The primary production ponds have food grade liners.
Each pond is 5000 square meters- larger than a football field.

Ecological farming produces vital, healthy and unpolluted foods. Although there are differences in farming land crops and algae, similar ecological practices are followed at Earthrise Farms. In this remote and sunny part of California, far from cities, highways and airports, the air is clean. Mineral rich Colorado river water, which supplies seven states of the U.S. Southwest, is pumped through canals, to large settling ponds, through filters into the growing ponds.

6.6. Clean fresh water and nutrients are added daily to feed the algae. No pesticides or herbicides are used.

Carbon Dioxide is bubbled into the water
All plants need carbon to grow. Plant leaves take in carbon from the carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere, but algae need carbon in the water. Algae grows so quickly that atmospheric CO2 cannot penetrate the water fast enough to sustain growth, so carbon must be added. The same high quality CO2 used in carbonated drinking waters is pumped directly into the ponds.

Pure mineral nutrients feed growing spirulina
Adding extra manure or organic matter directly into the water can foul the shallow ponds and disturb algae growth. Instead, clean, pure sources of mineral nutrients are used. Premium quality minerals like nitrogen, potassium, iron and essential trace elements nourish a consistent high quality spirulina.

6.7. Sunrise. Long paddlewheels continuously mix the pond water for optimum growth.