Member Spotlight: Prairie Dirt Solutions

Based in Oklahoma City, Prairie Dirt Solutions (PDS) likes to say that the company provides soil health solutions. As a family owned and operated business, PDS has deep Oklahoma roots. The Bergen family began a natural progression toward soil health as fifth generation Oklahoma landowners and ranchers after they embraced sustainable practices on their grass-fed beef cattle ranches. Expanding their business into new emerging markets based on client needs, the family sought to establish other businesses with similar goals.
 
Sister company to PDS, Eco Wood Solutions, specializes in creating high quality, IPEMA certified kiln dried hardwood for playgrounds and other commercial applications. What began with the ranches spread to both the urban and suburban community through a landfill diversion mission. Establishing Prairie Dirt Solutions seemed like the next logical step in a targeted effort to lead and answer a growing need to reduce, reuse and recycle natural materials. PDS began to produce high quality compost from wood waste and other agricultural offcuts. To test efficacy the Bergens applied the resulting compost to Bergen Ranch hay fields creating a boon of hay so big that they were nominated for and received the Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Award for 2023. Achieving STA certification for PDS compost became an even bigger goal.

STA testing and scientific certification provided confidence through proof of quality and consistency. With no laws in place in Oklahoma requiring compost use on roadsides, PDS studied the regulations utilized in states such as California and Texas. STA certification represents a standard for compost production that must be achieved in those states for roadside applications. The ultimate goal for Prairie Dirt Solutions achieving STA certification came about from a desire to expand operations by bidding on Oklahoma Department of Transportation jobs for roadside stabilization. Mimicking these standards, PDS hopes to effect change in Oklahoma by applying compost on all types of land, including roadsides, pastures, cropland, as well as development sites of all sizes and scope. Grateful for the confidence that STA certification provides, PDS seeks to provide solutions benefiting the water retention of land, the local economy and soil enrichment.

For more information, contact Pam Battle, VP of Business Development at Bergen Enterprises, at pam@bergenenterprises.com.