EM® is an acronym for Effective Microorganisms™. It is a brand name referring to a line of microbial-based products using a technology developed by Japanese scientist Dr. Teruo Higa. The original product has gone through a couple name changes over the years including “EM®”, “EM-1®”, and “Kyusei EM™”. It can be referred to as “EM1” or “EM4” in some research papers as well. It is now called EM•1® around the world. All the formulations and intellectual property is owned and managed by EM Research Organization in Okinawa, Japan. Company headquarters is often referred to as EMRO. There are other EMRO offices around the world that have a similar name including EMRO USA, EMRO Europe, EMRO Costa Rica, EMRO South Africa, EMRO Kenya, etc. Under the guidance of EM Research Organization (EMRO), the use of EM•1® Microbial Inoculant™ has quickly spread to over 120 countries since its introduction in 1982.
The main products under the Effective Microorganisms™ brand include:
- EM•1®
- EM® Ceramics
- Pro EM•1® Daily Probiotic Cleanse (manufactured only in the USA)
- EM-X® Gold There are several other licensed products that are allowed to use the EM Logo (pictured right) that are authentic EM® products.
History
EM Technology® was developed by Professor Dr. Teruo Higa while he was a professor of horticulture at the College of Agriculture, University of the Ryukyus in Okinawa, Japan. Until he became ill from his use of chemicals before he turned 30, Dr. Higa was a proponent of conventional agriculture and worked on the development of synthetic agricultural products. Having grown up farming, he knew that farmers were quickly left at the mercy of the chemical companies that supplied them with ever-increasing expensive inputs. He decided to find a natural method through the use of beneficial microorganisms that would help relieve the farmers of their chemical dependencies.Around this time, during the mid-late 1960’s, microorganisms were being studied around the world for various applications. Most of that research was being done on single strains of microbes using single inoculations. Dr. Higa decided to study combined cultures first to find which ones would co-exist. He used only non-pathogenic, facultative microbes for his experiments. A mixture he had thrown on a patch of grass before leaving for a school vacation was eventually to become what we know as EM•1®. Upon returning from his vacation he noticed the area where he had thrown the “waste” product had grown considerably. He reviewed his notes and re-mixed his concoction. Through years of experimentation he discovered the right combination of microbes and named the combination “EM”, an acronym for “Effective Microorganisms™”. Dr. Higa started his development of EM•1® in 1968. His work pioneered the use of multiple strains of microbes in one culture as well as the use of multiple applications. The first batch on the market under the trade name “EM®” was sold in Japan in 1982. Use quickly spread through Eastern Asia, but was slow to grow in its home country, Japan. In 1992, EM Technologies, Inc. began manufacturing to EM•1® in Tucson, Arizona.
By observing the activity of the Effective Microorganisms™ cultures, Dr. Higa developed what is now known as the EM Philosophy: to develop a sustainable society based on co-existence and co-prosperity, exchange of information, safety, convenience, low cost, and high quality. Some years back, Dr. Higa coined the term "syntropy" to describe this phenomenon.
Developments continue as experimentation with Effective Microorganisms™ are conducted by EM Research Organization, APNAN, and several other entities that are licensed by EM Research Organization to sell Effective Microorganisms™ products around the world.
Where is EM•1® Made?
Today Effective Microorganisms™ products are sold in over 100 countries and produced in 54 facilities including the manufacturing plant in Tucson, Arizona which produces EM•1® Microbial Inoculant™ and PRO EM•1® Daily Probiotic Cleanse for the United States and US territories. EM•1® Microbial Inoculant™ is all-natural, non genetically modified (Non GMO), and approved for certified organic production under the new USDA program (OMRI Listed). The use of EM Technology® has broadened in the last two decades from agriculture to water treatment, odor control, animal husbandry, human health, and numerous other industrial treatments.Where Can I get EM® Products?
EM America is the exclusive North American distributor* for EM Technology® products, under license from EMRO USA Effective Microorganisms in Tucson, Arizona.
EM Hawaii is the exclusive distributor of Dr. Higa's Effective Microorganisms™; products in the state of Hawaii. Visit them on the web at: EM Hawaii.com
To purchase our products, please either chose an item from the menu on the left or simply visit our online store.
If you are outside of the United States, please find your local distributor on EMRO Japan's English website: EMROJapan.com.
Canadian Customers
EM•1® Microbial Inoculant™ is not currently available in Canada because of importation restrictions. EM America does, however, sell PRO EM•1® Daily Probiotic Cleanse, Dr. Don's® Products, EM•1®Bokashi, books, and EM® Ceramics to Canadian customers. Please call to place orders as international order canont be processed on our e-commerce site.
