Rich Earth Institute & Brightwater Tools Open House Highlights Solutions to Global Fertilizer Crises

The disastrous war on Iran is leading to global fertilizer shortages and skyrocketing prices, threatening farmers’ livelihoods and putting food systems at risk. It’s a vital reminder of the urgency to re-localize our nutrient sources so farmers can continue to grow the crops that feed our communities. 

Join the Rich Earth Institute and Brightwater Tools for an Open House to learn how these two Vermont organizations are working in tandem to harness an abundant source of nutrients in ‘waste.’ By completing food nutrient cycles locally—through practices such as urine diversion, blackwater systems, composting, and food waste digestion—we can build food security, healthy watersheds, and more resilient communities. 

Join us to: 

• Tour the U.S.’s first community-scale urine recycling facility 
• Meet our operations and research teams and learn how the system works in practice 
• See real-world infrastructure, including urine-diverting toilets and urinals, collection trucks, and pumping equipment 
• Explore Brightwater Tools processing technologies—including the pasteurizer and freeze concentrator—and learn about pilot projects in Europe 
• Discover how urine can be transformed into a high-quality fertilizer that replaces imported synthetic fertilizers 
• Hear the latest research on the safety of urine-derived fertilizer, including findings on pharmaceuticals and PFAS