Promoting manure composting for livestock operations

This project was performed as an online workshop in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Thirteen educational videos were released to registrants. Registrants were able to view the videos at their leisure. These videos included lectures, applied composting procedures, interviews with the producer cooperators and tours of their operations, and an interactive diagnostic video where participants identified compost problems and made decisions on how to correct them. One week after the videos were released, a live online discussion was held with the producer panel to answer questions and discuss the topics outlined in the videos.

The 2021 workshops were held as was outlined in the original proposal. Two in-person workshops were held; one at the West Central Research and Outreach Center in Morris, MN and one at the Carrington Research and Extension Center in Carrington, ND. These locations had the necessary classroom space, on-site manure, and piling space to complete this project. In addition, both sites already compost manure, so there were scientists and technicians who were familiar with the process.

In preparation for the in-person program, bedded pack wet-solid manure (dairy in Morris and beef in Carrington) was piled into six stockpiles in Morris and six windrows in Carrington for composting. Samples of manure were analyzed to determine nutrient content as well as the carbon to nitrogen ratio which is necessary to know for proper composting. Since the best point of degradation for attendees to view the compost was approximately half-way to completion, they were started three to four weeks prior to the workshop date.

Each compost pile had a problem that is commonly encountered, so each pile was managed differently based on its designated problem. For example, the compost pile designated as “not aerated” was mixed and aerated less frequently than the rest. The problems inflicted on the compost piles were as follows: pile too small, too wet, too dry, carbon to nitrogen ratio too high, carbon to nitrogen ratio too low, and not aerated. In addition, a pile with no problems was used for turning and mixing demonstrations; and a completed pile was started three weeks before the others to demonstrate how to tell when the composting process has finished.

On the day of the in-person workshops, the program began classroom style. Tents and outdoor venue space was used for lectures to keep in line with COVID-19 precautions in Morris, while indoor classroom space was used in Carrington. Topics covered included crop production sustainability through improved soil health and water quality protection, economic feasibility, environmental benefits, practical use in a cropping system, and personal and societal benefits of composting manure. The basics of composting and problems that may arise was also covered, including specifics on temperature, moisture, and aeration requirements.

Special attention was placed on the unique challenges and opportunities of composting manure in the north-central region. This region receives moderate annual rainfall, warm summers, and sometimes-harsh winters, so compost management in those conditions were highlighted.

A question and answer session was then held with a panel of farmers who successfully compost manure. Each member of the panel described their experience with composting. A producer panel member suggested that it would be best to have the panel address predetermined topics to keep the discussion focused, so each panel member was asked to explain how they got started, challenges they have faced, how they have dealt with those challenges, and why they recommend composting. Attendees were then invited to ask questions of the panel. To maintain the continuity of the workshop, lunch was served to participants as this was an all-day event held in a field.

The class moved outdoors (or out of the tent) for the hands-on portion of the workshop. The proper method of turning piles for aeration was demonstrated with a front-loader on the stockpiles in Morris, and with a compost turner on the windrows in Carrington. Participants were asked to view multiple compost piles and identify the problems with each one and how they would troubleshoot those problems. There were gloves, temperature probes, buckets, and shovels to assist participants with their identification. As a group, the participants and instructors discussed each compost pile one-by-one, focusing on the steps taken to identify the problem, what the problem was, and how to fix the problem.

Here is a link to the workshop website that also has links to the videos.

Evaluation:

To evaluate the accomplishments and effectiveness of this project, we will use process, output, and outcome indicators. For process indicators we will 1) collect the number of participants at each composting workshop including producers as well as Extension educators and agency partners, 2) record the number of inquiries received about composting manure because of the workshops, 3) record the number of radio interviews and printed articles in regards to the composting workshops, and 4) keep track of visits/likes on social media outlets. 

To evaluate output indicators we will 1) record the number and type of educational programs (workshops (4) as well as other potential educational opportunities), 2) record the number of publications created and how they were disseminated, and 3) document the number of videos produced and how they were disseminated. 

We will use pre- and post-workshop surveys as well as follow-up surveys to gather data. Outcome indicators will be measured by 1) the level of satisfaction from the workshop participants, 2) estimating the number of participants who are planning to adopt the composting techniques learned, 3) record who does adopt the techniques (6 month follow-up), 4) estimate a change in KASA (knowledge, awareness, skills, attitudes), 5) document the benefits from learning the proper composting techniques, and 6) suggested changes for future composting programs.