SFCSS Agricultural Club Presents:
COMPOSTING
Table of Contents
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Introduction To Agri Club
Compost, what is it?
How to make compost [methods]
Compost boxes and how to use them
Compost machines
How to use them and care for the compost machine
Information on Compost Competition
Bibliography
Introduction.
1. Welcoming of members and new students who’d like the join the club
2. Addressing Head Teacher of the Group and the group’s core members (those of
the growth committee)
3. Addressing the plans and theme( Composting ) of the agriculture club for this
term and asking questions of what the agriculture club is about. These plans
include:
a. Starting Composting Projects( hot composting cold composting, vermi
composting and more) Talk about the new composting machine.
b. Starting A composting competition.
Compost, What is it?
Composting is the natural process by which organic matter is recycled back into the
ground. This includes our everyday food scraps which are thrown into bins on a daily
basis, and ends up making recycling of plastic and other inorganic materials harder
due to its unpleasant smells.
We can help recycle and reduce our carbon footprint by composting,which allows
nutrients to be returned back into the soil, to plant new crops, instead of being wasted
and pile up in dumps to rot and pollute the environment.
Compost, What is it?
To have a successful compost, it always involves putting some source of carbon and
nitrogen waste.Some examples of these sources includes:
Carbon
Nitrogen
Brown leaves
Food/ kitchen scraps
Brown/ dry grass cuttings
Coffee grounds
cardboard boxes
Leafy greens( green grass clippings)
Wood chips
Compost, What is it?
Compost, What is it?
When adding carbon and nitrogen sources,
they must be placed in a proper carbon to
nitrogen ratio of 25:1 or 35:1 for good
composting success.
(Example: 25 pounds of dry leaves to 1
pound of green leaves
This ensures that the amount of carbon and
nitrogen used is not wasted by the bacterial
processes that goes on during composting.
Compost, What is it?
Yes, there is a bacterial process that goes on during the composting which causes the
composting process to begin with. Microorganisms in the compost uses the nitrogenous
sources for energy to break down the carbon sources into simpler molecular sources
which can then be used by plants to grow. Therefore you should also use a variety of
different types of mediums to compost to get the best results.
IMPORTANT. - All composting requires these necessities:
1. Well Watered
2. Have good Aeration ( Has enough oxygen)
3. Should be covered to prevent excess water from rain or to retain moisture when
very dry.
IF they do not have the two mentioned above then the compost will become smelly, and
would be unsuccessful.
The Different Methods Of
Composting
Now, here are four different methods of composting:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Hot Composting
Cold Composting
VermiComposting
Machine Composting
H ot Composting
This type of composting uses the same carbon:nitrogen ratio of 25:1 or 35:1 and is the
fastest, natural, method of composting taking as little as 4 weeks to 8 weeks depending
on particle size of the ingredients used, and if it is done correctly.
Furthermore it actually gets really hot around 49C.- 77C..This is due to the rapid rate of
which the microorganisms reproduce and break down the carbon in the compost. This
temperature must be kept around for 10 to 15 days in order for a successful batch of
compost and temperatures cannot exceed past 90C. or else the microorganisms can die
from the heat that they produce.
H ot Composting
How to set up a hot composting bed.
1. Set up your composting bin. ( A tutorial can be found at the bottom of the slide
or by using the link, composting bed)
2. Input your 25:1 or 35:1 carbon and nitrogen sources which are of small particle
sizes. (should be at least 4 feet by 4 feet, anything larger will work greatly.)
3. Add water and turn the pile using a fork every 1-2 weeks.
4. Maintain the temperature of 77C by adding nitrogen sources(to increase
temperature) or reducing amount of turning( to decrease temperature)
5. Wait until Compost matures in about 4-8 weeks
H ot Composting
Advantages
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One of the fastest method of
composting ( 4 weeks to 8 weeks
if done properly)
Can make large amounts of
compost.
Kills bad bacteria due to the
heating processes.
Does not have an unpleasant
smell when done properly
Disadvantages
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Requires high maintenance and
water. This includes turning it
everyday to ensure aeration and
continuous watering
May be hard to touch when it
becomes too hot.
Cold Composting
Cold composting is the anaerobic process by which microorganisms break down
organic waste through the process of fermentation. Due to the passive nature of cold
composting, it is a rather slow process, taking almost a year.
To make cold compost, you’ll need a compost pile.This could be in a shady spot in your
backyard or within a compost bin.You start by layering your carbon source(dried
leaves, sticks)and adding your organic material on top of that.Then we leave this heap,
adding more organic materials and dried leaves until this compost is ready.
See how to make a cold composting bin on the bottom of the slides or by this link, cold
composting
Cold Composting
Advantages
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It creates a lot of compost
Low effort and simple to set up
It can decompose most organic
material
Disadvantages
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It’s a slow process
If not properly attended to, it can
attract pest.
Can have an unpleasant scent
Composting Bed
This is a basic tutorial on how to make a compost bed. This compost bed works for both for
making hot and cold compost.
VermiComposting
If you do not know what vermicomposting, it is simply composting with earthworms!
Many individuals may not like the idea of handling earthworms but they can make
some of ‘THE BEST” composts out of the rest of composting methods.
VermiComposting
Steps to setting up your own Vermicomposting bed includes:
1. Ordering worms Example: Red wigglers and European Nightcrawlers
2. Setting up the worm bin. There are three different types of worm bins you can set
up. See on the bottom of the slides or by using this link: Stacking worm bed, 5
Gallon Worm Bed
3. Feed the worms scraps, avoid using garlic, citrus and any meaty type of waste for
the worms to consume.
4. Wait for 3-6 weeks or 2-4 months to harvest. (Really depends on how many
worms you have. As a standard it takes 2 pounds of worms 24 hours to convert 1
pound of scraps to compost)
VermiComposting
Advantages
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Produces very rich compost and
humus.
The rate of composting depends on
how many worms you have and
since worms reproduce this
process can multiply quickly.
Does not have an unpleasant
smell when maintained efficiently
Disadvantages
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Requires a good amount of worms
to start with
May not generate as much
compost compared to other
composting methods such and hot
composting.
Worm Bed
The video below shows us how to make a vermicomposting bin.
Vermicompost
Machine Composting
One of the fastest methods of making compost and is very environmental friendly as it is
one of the methods which can be done inside without any mess and other types of pests
that may be present in the other methods of composting. Besides the downside of having
to afford it, compost can be made between 1.5- 3hours which is much faster than the other
composting methods. The set up would require you to read the manual of the machine.
See a video about machine composting at the bottom of the slides or by using this link,
MC1, MC2, MC3
Machine Composting
Advantages
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Fastest Method of Composting which takes
between 1.5-3hours to produce.
Can produce large amounts of compost
overtime.
Disadvantages
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Can be very expensive ranging of prices
between $400 - $1000 US.
Machine Composting
Machine Composting
Machine Composting
Rules For The
Competition
1. Any form level can enter the competition with no more than 5 persons per group.
2. The names of each participant should be placed on the back of the poster.
3. Poster must be hand made using suitable materials such as
pens,pencil,makers,paints,glitter, etc. Also you can use recycled and organic
materials such as water bottles, and soda cans, dried sticks and leaves on the poster
The poster must not exceed the size of an A3 piece of paper (17×12 inches)
4. Participants must choose 1-2 out of the 4 composting methods mentioned to display
on the flyer
Rules For The
Competition
4.
a.
b.
Good details on composting, why it is important, etc.
Choose 1-2 out of the composting methods and show how we can implement these
types of composting in SFCSS.
Example: (We can implement vermicomposting in SFCSS by making worm beds
near the garden, where students may place their scraps for the worms to compost.
This can now be used to grow more vegetation in the gardens of SFCSS
Rules For The
Competition
6. There will be a place in the art room to submit your art pieces.
7. Failure to follow the rules results in an instant disqualification.
Prizes to be awarded includes:
1st place - $300
2nd place - $200
3rd place - $100
Conclusion
Thank you for listening to this presentation on composting. We you have fun in
the composter poster competition and have a Blessed Day.
By The
AGRI- CLUB!!!!