From Harsh Chemicals to Healthier Soil: Josh Brawley’s Bontera Journey January 2026
Bontera
January 2026
Meet Josh Brawley, a multi-crop grower from Jefferson, Oregon, farming everything from peppermint and wheat to teff, white clover, and grass seed. Like many growers, Josh has always cared deeply about one thing: the long-term health of his soil. But for years, he struggled to find products that actually supported his goals—solutions that improved the soil but weren’t “snake oil”. That all changed when a friend introduce him to Bontera.
“All we have is the soil.”
Josh grew up hearing his grandfather say that everything starts and ends with healthy soil. Yet before Bontera, maintaining crop health meant relying on harsh chemicals. About five or six years ago, he started experimenting with Bontera products and now uses a variety of them in his crop program. What stood out first was the diversity of microorganisms.
“Reading the label, I liked the approach. Seeing a product that has so many different microbes compared to just one.”
The Turning Point: Nematode Control
Before Bontera, Josh’s nematode counts in his peppermint were climbing—from 1,700 to 2,700. After experimenting with Bontera NT-10, SA-10, and Tricho-Power to control the nematodes, alongside strong insecticides, he began to notice a decline. With the addition of Bontera products, his nematode numbers dropped to 200 and they’ve stayed
consistently between 200–400 since. “Over time the Bontera products became less expensive for me to use. I wasn’t killing the beneficial insects like before. And even without fully switching to Bontera, my nematode levels stayed down.”
Stronger Crops, Even in Harsh Conditions
While some crops—like grass seed—don’t always show visible improvements, Josh was surprised by just how quickly some of the products took effect.
“With Del Mar, I can see the grass seed turning greener within four or five days. During drought and harsh weather conditions, my fields stay healthier and more consistent than my neighbors’. You just feel safer.”
Since adopting Bontera, he is now able to:
- Rely less on insecticides and harsh chemicals
- Get more bang for his buck - Even during times of financial stress, he continues using Bontera because the results speak for themselves: “It gives me more consistent crops, and I get more bang for my buck in efficiency and effectiveness..”
- Replace fungicides with Bontera Tricho-Power (same cost, but more sustainable)
- Improve wheat, grass, and overall crop performance
- Get more consistent stand and soil health
His Message to Other Farmers
“To the farmers who say it’s expensive, I tell them: just try it first. You won’t really understand the value until you see the results for yourself.”
A Final Note From Josh
“I grew up hearing that the soil is all we have—and Bontera helps me keep it healthy for the next generation.”