O.G.S. 2014
On-Farm Composting
Mark Langner
MAYTime Composting
Burnsville, NC
MAYTime Composting
Mark Langner
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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).
What Is Compost?
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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”.
What We’re Gonna Cover…
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Review the Basics
And Some of the Complexities
Some Legal Aspects (NC)
Organic Standards
Technology
Resources
NC: The Letter of the Law
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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. )
NC: Law as Implemented
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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)
Compost – Essential Ingredients
For Good Compost
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Carbon (“Brown stuff”)
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“Available” Carbon vs. “Unavailable “
Nitrogen (“Green Stuff”)
C and N in organic compounds!
Oxygen
H2O
BALANCE!
Carbon-Rich Materials
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Leaves – At Least Some!
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Sawdust, Wood Chips
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C:N Ratio Varies Widely
Oak Leaves: 60:1 to 200:1 (depends on who you
ask!)
Maple Leaves: 30:1 – Ideal “As Is”
Available C! – Particle Size and Surface Area.
Straw, Corn Stalks
Paper / Cardboard
Nitrogen-Rich Materials
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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.
Balance!
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C:N Ratio
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Too much N?
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20:1 to 40:1
“Ideal” is 30:1
Pile Can Overheat
Smell of Ammonia – and Loss of N
Not enough N?
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Cool Pile
Longer to Break Down
Balance!
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C:N of 30:1 – How Do You Know?
NC Department of Agriculture Waste Analysis
Report.
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Real-Life Example: Horse Stall Cleanout.
Balance!
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Not Enough O2?
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Anaerobic Digestion
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Too Much O2?
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Produces Methane
Does Not Heat Up
Cools Down Pile
Too Much H2O?
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Pile Becomes too Dense = Not Enough O2!
Balance!
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Aim For 50-70% Moisture Content
How do you know?
“Squeeze Test”.
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Should Feel Like a Damp or Very Damp Sponge.
Should Hold Together.
A few drops of water? OK.
Lots of water? Too wet.
Other Measurements
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Bulk Density
Target Range: 800 – 1200 lbs / cu yd.
Too Dense? Can’t Get O2!
High Tech Bulk Density Tester:
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5-Gallon Bucket: Fill 1/3, Drop, Repeat Twice.
Multiply Weight by 40.
20 – 30 Lbs = 800 – 1200 lbs / Cu.Yd.
Other Measurements
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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.
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Lime Causes N to be Released.
Amend pH AFTER Compost is Finished.
Putting it ALL Together:
Balancing C:N, Density, H20, etc.
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SOP Method.
Compost Calculators on the Web:
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www.klickitatcounty.org
Green Mountain Technologies
Composting Phases
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1) Thermophilic. 131 F and Above
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2) Mesophilic. 105-120 F
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Can Last 1-2 months
1-2 months
3) Curing / Ageing – Three to Six Months
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“Raw” Compost Can Have High Soluble Salt
Content and “Burn” Plants.
Target Temps
Temperature Targets:
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1) PFRP – Process to Further Reduce
Pathogens (Thermophilic Phase)
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Windrows: 21 Days at 55C (131F) with Five
Turnings
Closed Vessels: 3 Days at 55C / 131F
2) Additional 14 days at 45C / 105F +
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Mesphilic Phase
Organic Standards (USDA)
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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
Composting Setups
Simple Bin
Simple Bin
Windrows
Aerated Static Pile
Aerated Bay (Closed Vessel)
Aerated Bay (Detail)
Aerated Bay (Detail)
Tiny Aerobic Digesters
Potential Problems:
Pile Does Not Heat Up
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Check Bulk Density
Check Moisture Content
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Too Dry - OR Too Wet!
C:N Ratio (Too Much C?).
Potential Problems:
Pile Overheats
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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!
Potential Problems: Odors
Odor Control
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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.
Other Equipment
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Screening Equipment.
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Remove Un-Composted Material (as in Wood
Chips)
Comes in Two Sizes: Tiny and Gigantic
DIY
Thermometer.
O2 Gauge.
Questions?
WithCompost
No Compost
Resources
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Field Guide to On-Farm Composting
(www.nraes.org)
NCDENR
USCC
Copy of This Presentation:
www.maytimecomposting.com\OGS.ppt