O.G.S. 2014O.G.S. 2014On-Farm CompostingOn-Farm Composting

Mark LangnerMark Langner

MAYTime CompostingMAYTime Composting

Burnsville, NCBurnsville, NC

MAYTime CompostingMAYTime Composting

Mark LangnerMark Langner

BA, Psychology; MA, Counseling.BA, Psychology; MA, Counseling. 25-year Career in Computers.25-year Career in Computers. Life-Long Gardener and Bad Composter.Life-Long Gardener and Bad Composter. Then I Married A Horse Owner.Then I Married A Horse Owner. Compost Bays, Worm Bins, Aerated Bays.Compost Bays, Worm Bins, Aerated Bays. Community Garden (2009).Community Garden (2009). Owner and Founder, MAYTime Composting Owner and Founder, MAYTime Composting

Systems, Burnsville NC. (2011)Systems, Burnsville NC. (2011) USCC Compost Operations Training (2011).USCC Compost Operations Training (2011).

What Is Compost?What Is Compost?

A Story…A Story… Compost  is organic matter that has been Compost  is organic matter that has been

decomposed and stabilized by bacterial and decomposed and stabilized by bacterial and fungal processes, becoming a material that is fungal processes, becoming a material that is beneficial to plant growth. (USCC Def.)beneficial to plant growth. (USCC Def.)

Properly done, the composting process kills Properly done, the composting process kills harmful organisms and weed seeds.harmful organisms and weed seeds.

A Diversity of LIFE – The “Soil Food Web”.A Diversity of LIFE – The “Soil Food Web”.

What We’re Gonna Cover…What We’re Gonna Cover…

Review the BasicsReview the Basics And Some of the ComplexitiesAnd Some of the Complexities Some Legal Aspects (NC)Some Legal Aspects (NC) Organic StandardsOrganic Standards TechnologyTechnology ResourcesResources

NC: The Letter of the LawNC: The Letter of the Law

In NC: NO Permit Required For:In NC: NO Permit Required For: (1) Backyard composting. (1) Backyard composting. (2) Farming operations and silvicultural operations (2) Farming operations and silvicultural operations

where the compost is produced from materials grown where the compost is produced from materials grown on the owner's land and re-used on the owner's land on the owner's land and re-used on the owner's land or in his associated farming operations and not or in his associated farming operations and not offered to the public. offered to the public.

(3) Small Type 1 Facilities meeting [a list of] (3) Small Type 1 Facilities meeting [a list of] conditions. (Type 1 means you can compost yard, conditions. (Type 1 means you can compost yard, garden, and wood waste. )garden, and wood waste. )

NC: Law as ImplementedNC: Law as Implemented

Special Rules for “Urban Farms” and Special Rules for “Urban Farms” and Community Gardens:Community Gardens:

Tier 1: No Imported Materials? No Permit Tier 1: No Imported Materials? No Permit RequiredRequired

Tier 2: Less Than 1 Cu Yd / Week Imported Tier 2: Less Than 1 Cu Yd / Week Imported “Nitrogenous” Materials – No Permit Required“Nitrogenous” Materials – No Permit Required

Tier 3: 1 Cu / Yd or More Per Week – Demo Tier 3: 1 Cu / Yd or More Per Week – Demo Permit (Annual)Permit (Annual)

Compost – Essential IngredientsCompost – Essential IngredientsFor Good CompostFor Good Compost

Carbon (“Brown stuff”) Carbon (“Brown stuff”) ““Available” Carbon vs. “Unavailable “Available” Carbon vs. “Unavailable “

Nitrogen (“Green Stuff”)Nitrogen (“Green Stuff”) C and N in organic compounds!C and N in organic compounds! Oxygen Oxygen H2OH2O BALANCE!BALANCE!

Carbon-Rich MaterialsCarbon-Rich Materials

Leaves – At Least Some! Leaves – At Least Some! C:N Ratio Varies WidelyC:N Ratio Varies Widely Oak Leaves: 60:1 to 200:1 (depends on who you Oak Leaves: 60:1 to 200:1 (depends on who you

ask!)ask!) Maple Leaves: 30:1 – Ideal “As Is”Maple Leaves: 30:1 – Ideal “As Is”

Sawdust, Wood ChipsSawdust, Wood Chips Available C! – Particle Size and Surface Area.Available C! – Particle Size and Surface Area.

Straw, Corn StalksStraw, Corn Stalks Paper / CardboardPaper / Cardboard

Nitrogen-Rich MaterialsNitrogen-Rich Materials

Cow ManureCow Manure Blood MealBlood Meal Fresh Grass ClippingsFresh Grass Clippings Horse Manure? Sheep? Llama? Goat?Horse Manure? Sheep? Llama? Goat? Some of These Are Closer to 30:1Some of These Are Closer to 30:1 Food Waste? Yes, BUT 90% Water.Food Waste? Yes, BUT 90% Water.

Balance!Balance!

C:N RatioC:N Ratio 20:1 to 40:120:1 to 40:1 ““Ideal” is 30:1Ideal” is 30:1

Too much N? Too much N? Pile Can Overheat Pile Can Overheat Smell of Ammonia – and Loss of NSmell of Ammonia – and Loss of N

Not enough N? Not enough N? Cool PileCool Pile Longer to Break DownLonger to Break Down

Balance!Balance!

C:N of 30:1 – How Do You Know?C:N of 30:1 – How Do You Know? NC Department of Agriculture Waste Analysis NC Department of Agriculture Waste Analysis

Report.Report. Real-Life Example: Horse Stall Cleanout.Real-Life Example: Horse Stall Cleanout.

Balance!Balance!

Not Enough O2?Not Enough O2? Anaerobic DigestionAnaerobic Digestion

Produces MethaneProduces Methane Does Not Heat UpDoes Not Heat Up

Too Much O2?Too Much O2? Cools Down PileCools Down Pile

Too Much H2O?Too Much H2O? Pile Becomes too Dense = Not Enough O2!Pile Becomes too Dense = Not Enough O2!

Balance!Balance!

Aim For 50-70% Moisture ContentAim For 50-70% Moisture Content How do you know?How do you know? ““Squeeze Test”.Squeeze Test”.

Should Feel Like a Damp or Very Damp Sponge.Should Feel Like a Damp or Very Damp Sponge. Should Hold Together.Should Hold Together. A few drops of water? OK.A few drops of water? OK. Lots of water? Too wet.Lots of water? Too wet.

Other MeasurementsOther Measurements

Bulk DensityBulk Density Target Range: 800 – 1200 lbs / cu yd.Target Range: 800 – 1200 lbs / cu yd. Too Dense? Can’t Get O2!Too Dense? Can’t Get O2! High Tech Bulk Density Tester:High Tech Bulk Density Tester:

5-Gallon Bucket: Fill 1/3, Drop, Repeat Twice.5-Gallon Bucket: Fill 1/3, Drop, Repeat Twice. Multiply Weight by 40.Multiply Weight by 40. 20 – 30 Lbs = 800 – 1200 lbs / Cu.Yd.20 – 30 Lbs = 800 – 1200 lbs / Cu.Yd.

Other MeasurementsOther Measurements

pH – Best is Near Neutral.pH – Best is Near Neutral. High N Can Mean Low pH.High N Can Mean Low pH. Composting Process Tends to Bring pH Composting Process Tends to Bring pH

Toward Neutral.Toward Neutral. Avoid Adding Wood Ash and Lime.Avoid Adding Wood Ash and Lime.

Lime Causes N to be Released.Lime Causes N to be Released. Amend pH AFTER Compost is Finished.Amend pH AFTER Compost is Finished.

Putting it ALL Together:Putting it ALL Together:Balancing C:N, Density, H20, etc.Balancing C:N, Density, H20, etc.

SOP Method.SOP Method. Compost Calculators on the Web:Compost Calculators on the Web:

www.klickitatcounty.orgwww.klickitatcounty.org Green Mountain TechnologiesGreen Mountain Technologies

Composting PhasesComposting Phases

1) Thermophilic. 131 F and Above1) Thermophilic. 131 F and Above Can Last 1-2 monthsCan Last 1-2 months

2) Mesophilic. 105-120 F2) Mesophilic. 105-120 F 1-2 months1-2 months

3) Curing / Ageing – Three to Six Months3) Curing / Ageing – Three to Six Months ““Raw” Compost Can Have High Soluble Salt Raw” Compost Can Have High Soluble Salt

Content and “Burn” Plants.Content and “Burn” Plants.

Target TempsTarget Temps

Temperature Targets:Temperature Targets:

1) PFRP – Process to Further Reduce 1) PFRP – Process to Further Reduce Pathogens (Thermophilic Phase)Pathogens (Thermophilic Phase) Windrows: 21 Days at 55C (131F) with Five Windrows: 21 Days at 55C (131F) with Five

TurningsTurnings Closed Vessels: 3 Days at 55C / 131FClosed Vessels: 3 Days at 55C / 131F

2) Additional 14 days at 45C / 105F +2) Additional 14 days at 45C / 105F + Mesphilic PhaseMesphilic Phase

Organic Standards (USDA)Organic Standards (USDA)

Must Meet Temperature Requirements.Must Meet Temperature Requirements. Monitor Temps, O2 Levels, Times, H2O, etc.Monitor Temps, O2 Levels, Times, H2O, etc. Other Testing Requirements for Stability, Other Testing Requirements for Stability,

Contaminants, Pathogens.Contaminants, Pathogens. No Synthetics.No Synthetics. ““Hit List” of Forbidden Chemicals.Hit List” of Forbidden Chemicals. Document: USDA NOP 5021Document: USDA NOP 5021

Composting SetupsComposting Setups

Simple BinSimple Bin

Simple BinSimple Bin

WindrowsWindrows

Aerated Static PileAerated Static Pile

Aerated Bay (Closed Vessel)Aerated Bay (Closed Vessel)

Aerated Bay (Detail)Aerated Bay (Detail)

Aerated Bay (Detail)Aerated Bay (Detail)

Tiny Aerobic DigestersTiny Aerobic Digesters

Potential Problems:Potential Problems:Pile Does Not Heat UpPile Does Not Heat Up

Check Bulk DensityCheck Bulk Density Check Moisture ContentCheck Moisture Content

Too Dry - OR Too Wet!Too Dry - OR Too Wet! C:N Ratio (Too Much C?).C:N Ratio (Too Much C?).

Potential Problems:Potential Problems:Pile Overheats Pile Overheats

Temps Above 160F Kill Off Beneficial Temps Above 160F Kill Off Beneficial BacteriaBacteria

Temps Above 170F Can Lead to Spontaneous Temps Above 170F Can Lead to Spontaneous Combustion (esp. in Large Piles)Combustion (esp. in Large Piles)

C:N Ratio: Too Much N?C:N Ratio: Too Much N? Aerated Piles: Increase Flow / Frequency of Aerated Piles: Increase Flow / Frequency of

Aeration.Aeration. Others: Turn!Others: Turn!

Potential Problems: OdorsPotential Problems: Odors

Odor ControlOdor Control

Bury Odorous Materials ASAP. (This Also Bury Odorous Materials ASAP. (This Also Helps Control Vectors.)Helps Control Vectors.)

Maintain O2 Levels.Maintain O2 Levels. Weather: Don’t Turn Piles in Misty or Foggy Weather: Don’t Turn Piles in Misty or Foggy

Conditions (Mornings).Conditions (Mornings). Choose Your Site! 200+ Ft. From Dwellings.Choose Your Site! 200+ Ft. From Dwellings.

Other EquipmentOther Equipment

Screening Equipment.Screening Equipment. Remove Un-Composted Material (as in Wood Remove Un-Composted Material (as in Wood

Chips)Chips) Comes in Two Sizes: Tiny and GiganticComes in Two Sizes: Tiny and Gigantic DIYDIY

Thermometer.Thermometer. O2 Gauge.O2 Gauge.

Questions?Questions?WithCompost No CompostWithCompost No Compost

ResourcesResources

Field Guide to On-Farm Composting (Field Guide to On-Farm Composting (www.nraes.orgwww.nraes.org))

NCDENRNCDENR USCCUSCC Copy of This Presentation: Copy of This Presentation:

www.maytimecomposting.com\OGS.pptwww.maytimecomposting.com\OGS.ppt