What
& Why
Healthy Soil = Healthy Plants = Healthy Food =
Healthy People
The compost produced on our farm is the basis of our soil
fertility program. Composting is the biological process in which microorganisms
convert organic materials such as manure, animal bedding, leaves, etc.,
into a soil-like material called compost. This process happens all the
time but in an uncontrolled manner in nature. A deliberate composting
process controls the conditions so that it happens in a shorter period
of time. While in the pile or windrow, the organisms that cause the composting
process produce heat, which drives off moisture, destroys pathogens and
kills weed seeds. When done properly it has the odor of a forest floor.
The result is a stabilized product that is ready for use, without the
odors common to waste products.
Is compost a fertilizer?
Compost is considered more of a soil conditioner and biological activator
than a fertilizer, although it does contain nutrients. The nutrients contained
in compost are in a stable form that the soil can use over a period of
time. The nutrients are not water-soluble, and so do not leach out of
the soil into the water cycle. Compost adds valuable organic matter to
the soil, which increases the water holding capacity of the soil. While
this characteristic is extremely desirable, it is especially valuable
during dry years.
Since compost is ideally humus plus microorganisms plus inorganic elements,
it has the added benefit of having a number of organisms that can fix
nitrogen from the air. Good compost has microorganisms continually fixing
more nitrogen as needed and delivering it to plants. When applied, compost
adds organic matter, improves soil structure, reduces or removes fertilizer
requirements, and reduces the potential for soil erosion. Other soil amendments,
such as pH modifiers, can be added to compost for efficiency’s sake,
and for possible synergistic effects.
At
Cobblestone Valley…
We use several feedstocks/ingredients to manufacture our compost. Manure
from the dairy barn is combined with one of several dry carbon materials.
This includes, but is not limited to straw, sawdust, woodchips, old hay,
old silage or animal bedding. Occasionally we accept lake weeds harvested
from Tully Lake, which improves the diversity of the compost.
Once the ingredients are assembled into a windrow, the windrow is turned
a number of times over the next few weeks. Turning breaks up the piles
and keeps oxygen coming in so that the process remains aerobic. During
this time the microorganisms are hard at work and the windrow temperature
ranges anywhere from 100 to 150 degrees F, depending on the conditions.
Temperature is taken on a daily basis; it is a valuable monitoring tool.
The basic idea in any natural system is to feed the soil life. Soil life
in turn will feed the plant. Plants in turn feed people and livestock.
Ideas
for Compost Use
Backfill for Trees and Shrubs
Compost is terrific for use in planting trees and shrubs. Roots need a
firmly packed growing medium capable of retaining moisture to properly
supply the rest of the plant with nutrients and water as they grow. Compost
is effective at promoting these conditions and can be used as an amendment
mixed with backfill materials.
Container Mix or Potting Soil
Compost is more than ideal for your containers. Although our compost is
not blended with other materials, it serves as a good growing medium for
potted plants.
Nursery Beds & Flower Gardens
Compost is great for nursery beds as they need to have a high water-holding
capacity and suitable levels of organic matter in order for the plants
to thrive.
Erosion Control
Newly seeded hillsides, ditches, construction sites or roadsides can benefit
from an application of compost. Studies have shown that compost is an
effective medium form minimizing soil loss and erosion in areas where
surface soils have been disturbed.
State Department of Transportation
Hello there all you DOT employees! Did you know that NYS DOT provides
specs for the use of “organic materials” as a component of
various landscaping materials? Manure- based composts are listed as an
acceptable type of source-separated compost. Contact cwmi@cornell.edu
or http://www.cwmi.css.cornell.edu
for more information.
Topsoil Component
For projects that require topsoil, a compost blend can be a beneficial
and economical addition, providing organic material and water-holding
capacity
Turf Establishment and Maintenance
Is your lawn looking less than green these days? Top dress with compost
in the fall. Need to seed a new lawn or sports field? Do the maintenance
up front by providing a good seed bed for grass. In the long run less
watering and feeding will be required. Compost is an outstanding amendment
for any lawn.
Fruit
& Vegetable Crops and Gardens
Compost worked into a garden at tilling brings all the benefits mentioned
at the top of this page along to the garden. It brings in organic matter,
increases water holding capacity, suppresses pathogens and increases the
microbial diversity. Our compost is approved for organic use by NOFA-NY.
Try some, you won’t be disappointed!
The information in Ideas for Compost Use came in part from Cornell
Waste Management Institute Fact Sheet #1. Please
click to go to CWMI website for downloading. Check
out the website while you’re there!
When & Where
Compost is located at the dairy barn, and available just about anytime,
by appointment. For larger quantities, we use th front-end loader to fill
a pick-up truck or trailer. Smaller containers are easily filled by hand
with a shovel.
Pricing
Compost is priced by the yard at $30. The bucket on the front end loader
tractor holds .75 yards. Smaller quantities priced accordingly.
Need to Know….
We do not have pre-bagged compost yet available, it’s in the planning
stages. We’ll keep you posted as we progress.
Compost analysis is available upon request, as are samples of the compost.
Sources for information for this page came from:
Cornell
Waste Management Institute, Compost Fact Sheet #1
Acres USA Eco-Farm,
and ACRES USA Primer by Charles Walters
On Farm Composting Handbook Natural Resources, Agriculture, and
Engineering Service (NRAES-54), available on CWMI website, above.
Note: If you know anyone looking for a home for piles of woodchips,
we’d be more than happy to take them.