@HeadyBearAdventures We can agree to disagree. I feel as though IMO and Compost extracts have much different microbial communities and ratios, which I have observed through the microscope. I believe that when you feed a pile JMS it is the metabolites which fire up the aerobic microbes that are already present. By doing both you are getting the benefit of added aerobic microbes as well as microbial metabolites from the JMS.
In my studies and experience IMO-1 is simply a way to get those microbes out of the woods and back home, IMO-2 is storage, and IMO-3 activates and expands the microbes. I only use IMO in the 2 or 3 stage as a compost and or soil inoculant. You can see in IMO-3 that these microbes are mostly aerobic. They are grown in an aerated pile.
Just remember that what I described in this composting is a mix of different theories and methodology that I’ve come up with over the years. I understand that this is different then ‘by the book’ KNF. The IMO is added after the thermophilic stage, do improve biodiversity and aid in mesophilic, aerobic decomposition. This compost is then used in the soil as an inoculum.