O.G.S. 2014 On-Farm Composting

1. O.G.S. 2014On-Farm Composting Mark Langner MAYTime Composting Burnsville, NC

2. MAYTime Composting

3. Mark Langner • BA, Psychology; MA, Counseling. • 25-year Career in Computers. • Life-Long Gardener and Bad Composter. • Then I Married A Horse Owner. • Compost Bays, Worm Bins, Aerated Bays. • Community Garden (2009). • Owner and Founder, MAYTime Composting Systems, Burnsville NC. (2011) • USCC Compost Operations Training (2011).

4. What Is Compost? • A Story… • Compost  is organic matter that has been decomposed and stabilized by bacterial and fungal processes, becoming a material that is beneficial to plant growth. (USCC Def.) • Properly done, the composting process kills harmful organisms and weed seeds. • A Diversity of LIFE – The “Soil Food Web”.

5. What We’re Gonna Cover… • Review the Basics • And Some of the Complexities • Some Legal Aspects (NC) • Organic Standards • Technology • Resources

6. NC: The Letter of the Law • In NC: NO Permit Required For: • (1) Backyard composting. • (2) Farming operations and silvicultural operations where the compost is produced from materials grown on the owner's land and re-used on the owner's land or in his associated farming operations and not offered to the public. • (3) Small Type 1 Facilities meeting [a list of] conditions. (Type 1 means you can compost yard, garden, and wood waste. )

7. NC: Law as Implemented • Special Rules for “Urban Farms” and Community Gardens: • Tier 1: No Imported Materials? No Permit Required • Tier 2: Less Than 1 Cu Yd / Week Imported “Nitrogenous” Materials – No Permit Required • Tier 3: 1 Cu / Yd or More Per Week – Demo Permit (Annual)

8. Compost – Essential IngredientsFor Good Compost • Carbon (“Brown stuff”) • “Available” Carbon vs. “Unavailable “ • Nitrogen (“Green Stuff”) • C and N in organic compounds! • Oxygen • H2O • BALANCE!

9. Carbon-Rich Materials • Leaves – At Least Some! • C:N Ratio Varies Widely • Oak Leaves: 60:1 to 200:1 (depends on who you ask!) • Maple Leaves: 30:1 – Ideal “As Is” • Sawdust, Wood Chips • Available C! – Particle Size and Surface Area. • Straw, Corn Stalks • Paper / Cardboard

10. Nitrogen-Rich Materials • Cow Manure • Blood Meal • Fresh Grass Clippings • Horse Manure? Sheep? Llama? Goat? • Some of These Are Closer to 30:1 • Food Waste? Yes, BUT 90% Water.

11. Balance! • C:N Ratio • 20:1 to 40:1 • “Ideal” is 30:1 • Too much N? • Pile Can Overheat • Smell of Ammonia – and Loss of N • Not enough N? • Cool Pile • Longer to Break Down

12. Balance! • C:N of 30:1 – How Do You Know? • NC Department of Agriculture Waste Analysis Report. • Real-Life Example: Horse Stall Cleanout.

14. Balance! • Not Enough O2? • Anaerobic Digestion • Produces Methane • Does Not Heat Up • Too Much O2? • Cools Down Pile • Too Much H2O? • Pile Becomes too Dense = Not Enough O2!

15. Balance! • Aim For 50-70% Moisture Content • How do you know? • “Squeeze Test”. • Should Feel Like a Damp or Very Damp Sponge. • Should Hold Together. • A few drops of water? OK. • Lots of water? Too wet.

16. Other Measurements • Bulk Density • Target Range: 800 – 1200 lbs / cu yd. • Too Dense? Can’t Get O2! • High Tech Bulk Density Tester: • 5-Gallon Bucket: Fill 1/3, Drop, Repeat Twice. • Multiply Weight by 40. • 20 – 30 Lbs = 800 – 1200 lbs / Cu.Yd.

17. Other Measurements • pH – Best is Near Neutral. • High N Can Mean Low pH. • Composting Process Tends to Bring pH Toward Neutral. • Avoid Adding Wood Ash and Lime. • Lime Causes N to be Released. • Amend pH AFTER Compost is Finished.

18. Putting it ALL Together:Balancing C:N, Density, H20, etc. • SOP Method. • Compost Calculators on the Web: • www.klickitatcounty.org • Green Mountain Technologies

19. Composting Phases • 1) Thermophilic. 131 F and Above • Can Last 1-2 months • 2) Mesophilic. 105-120 F • 1-2 months • 3) Curing / Ageing – Three to Six Months • “Raw” Compost Can Have High Soluble Salt Content and “Burn” Plants.

20. Target Temps

21. Temperature Targets: • 1) PFRP – Process to Further Reduce Pathogens (Thermophilic Phase) • Windrows: 21 Days at 55C (131F) with Five Turnings • Closed Vessels: 3 Days at 55C / 131F • 2) Additional 14 days at 45C / 105F + • Mesphilic Phase

22. Organic Standards (USDA) • Must Meet Temperature Requirements. • Monitor Temps, O2 Levels, Times, H2O, etc. • Other Testing Requirements for Stability, Contaminants, Pathogens. • No Synthetics. • “Hit List” of Forbidden Chemicals. • Document: USDA NOP 5021

23. Composting Setups

24. Simple Bin

25. Simple Bin

26. Windrows

27. Aerated Static Pile

28. Aerated Bay (Closed Vessel)

29. Aerated Bay (Detail)

30. Aerated Bay (Detail)

31. Tiny Aerobic Digesters

32. Potential Problems:Pile Does Not Heat Up • Check Bulk Density • Check Moisture Content • Too Dry - OR Too Wet! • C:N Ratio (Too Much C?).

33. Potential Problems:Pile Overheats • Temps Above 160F Kill Off Beneficial Bacteria • Temps Above 170F Can Lead to Spontaneous Combustion (esp. in Large Piles) • C:N Ratio: Too Much N? • Aerated Piles: Increase Flow / Frequency of Aeration. • Others: Turn!

34. Potential Problems: Odors

35. Odor Control • Bury Odorous Materials ASAP. (This Also Helps Control Vectors.) • Maintain O2 Levels. • Weather: Don’t Turn Piles in Misty or Foggy Conditions (Mornings). • Choose Your Site! 200+ Ft. From Dwellings.

36. Other Equipment • Screening Equipment. • Remove Un-Composted Material (as in Wood Chips) • Comes in Two Sizes: Tiny and Gigantic • DIY • Thermometer. • O2 Gauge.

37. Questions?WithCompost No Compost

38. Resources • Field Guide to On-Farm Composting (www.nraes.org) • NCDENR • USCC • Copy of This Presentation: www.maytimecomposting.com\OGS.ppt