Minerals and microbes: A new era for farming

When Colin Purnell, founder and CEO of Earthlife, began experimenting almost 30 years ago with rock minerals and beneficial microbes, he saw a gap: Australian soils lacked vital minerals.

Mineral-rich rock blends rebuild tired soils by restoring key nutrients like phosphorus, potassium, and calcium. They boost water retention and root strength, helping plants thrive even in Australia’s harshest conditions.

“We identified what was necessary, and nobody would manufacture it, so we had to do it ourselves,” Colin recalls. “We proved in trials that our soil conditioner and fertiliser blends could double the water-holding capacity of soil and yields.”

Earthlife has set itself apart by focusing on both minerals and beneficial microbes, which most conventional and organic systems overlook. Supporting that journey was the late Dr Des Gleeson, a University of Queensland microbiologist, who consulted for 25 years, shaping Earthlife’s formulas.

Colin says: “Our blends aren’t patented, but they’re customisable, and they’ve stood the test of time.”

Still based in Toowoomba, Queensland, Earthlife manufactures contaminant-free soil conditioners and fertilisers for growers across Australia.

Supporting Farmers Towards Sustainability

While gardeners remain a loyal base, Colin is keen to re-engage farmers.

“We help farmers transition to more sustainable, economical practices, including carbon farming,” he says. “It’s about building healthier soil, improving yields, and cutting costs without high-nitrogen fertilisers.”

For backyard gardeners, Earthlife is applied whenever new plants go in. On farms, a single annual application is often enough to achieve lasting improvements.

A Queensland avocado grower, Robert Beer of Childers, saw soil carbon levels nearly triple within three years of using Earthlife products, adding the equivalent of 30,000 litres of water per hectare.
 

In Armidale, NSW, cattle producer Josh Billing reported healthier pastures and weight gains rising from 0.8 to 1.5 kilograms per day after adopting Earthlife.

Other Queensland testimonials echo the results. Ernie Martin of Upper Flagstone Creek noted his trees “outgrowing the toxicity problem” and producing uniform fruit. Meanwhile, Nick Adamson of Leyburn turned his “worst producing cotton block into the highest yielding block” using Earthlife’s soil system.

Colin explains: “Our approach strengthens root systems and plant cell structure so crops handle climate extremes and disease—while reducing reliance on synthetic inputs.”

Looking Ahead

As Earthlife approaches its 30th anniversary in 2026, the business remains true to its founding vision.

“We’re not chasing fads,” Colin insists. “Once you fix the base, everything else follows: productivity and resilience.”

Testimonials



Company Info Pop Up:

Key Benefits of Earthlife’s 12+ Customisable Products

·      Doubles soil water-holding capacity and improves soil structure

·      Boosts organic carbon levels, supporting carbon farming and resilience

·      Strengthens roots and cell walls for climate extremes

·      Reduces need for high-nitrogen fertilisers, saving water and costs

·      Safe, natural, and contaminant-free; several products Certified Allowed Inputs

Company email: enquiries@earthlife.com.au

Company website: https://earthlife.com.au/

Company booklet: https://designrr.page/?id=348729&token=1728201606&type=FP&h=4482