Final report for ONE21-395
Project Information
This project worked with the staff at the Baltimore Compost Collective to:
1) Initiate new composting methods, including 5 new Biologically Enhanced Agricultural Management (BEAM) bioreactors and one Bokashi Composting system. BEAM produces a fungal dominant compost that improves yields and Bokashi compost allows for the processing of both meat and dairy which reduces waste to landfills. We determined that Bokashi and BEAM methods are viable for urban farms and that they do in fact help increase production of healthy fresh vegetables by conducting side-by-side trials in raised beds. Our study fundings suggest that the combination of BEAM compost with Bokashi compost together boosted productivity and yields by approximately 25% on average.
2) Fish hydrolysate was also created on-farm from local fish scraps and likely can be provisioned into a high quality fertilizer in many areas of the Country using available waste streams. Fish scraps were collected from seafood wholesalers and used to make high quality fish hydrolysate fertilizer which can help reduce the cost of urban farming and create a more circular economy around urban food systems. Fish hydrolysate is comparable to other organic fertilizers normally used by urban farms.
3) Results were shared with other urban farms (3-5) and 50 home gardeners and students on soil health and production improvements as measured by Cornell’s CASH and the Soil Mircobiometer analysis through 2 workshops and presentation at an annual sustainable agriculture conference as well as videos co-produced with the Youth Composters and BCC.
The project also investigated methods for creating BEAM Compost and Bokashi compost amendments as well as fish hydrolysate fertilizer on benefits to vegetable production through a side-by-side comparison. Insights were compiled on the creation of BEAM and Bokashi composts in Mid-Atlantic temperate climates. Trials using Bokashi compost as well as a combination of both BEAM + Bokashi were performed. The BEAM + Bokashi combination achieved 22 to 39% more yield than the control with an average yield increase of 27.8% (for crops including tomatoes, green peppers, eggplants, hot peppers, thai basil and strawberries); Bokashi alone yields ranged from -3% to 28% with an 8.4% average when compared to the control. A combination of BEAM and Bokashi Composts seems to be the best combination for consistent yields and tended to be superior to either BEAM or Bokashi on their own for a number of crop types. A 25 or 28% increase in crop yields using locally made fertilizers and soil amendments would be a significant gain in crop yields and positively impact farmer yields, revenue and ultimately food security. The 8% yield increase on average from Bokashi is also a significant increase. Also, observed was that BEAM compost quality benefited from being covered in this region due to relatively frequent rainfall and excess moisture.
For photos see: SARE Figures_1
This project worked with the staff at Filbert Street Garden/ BCC to:
1) initiate new composting methods including 5 new BEAM bioreactors and one Bokashi Composting system. BEAM produces a fungal dominant compost that improves yields and Bokashi compost allows for the processing of both meat and dairy which reduces waste to landfills. We determined that these methods are viable for urban farms and that they help to increase production of healthy fresh vegetables in side-by-side trials in raised beds.
2) make fish hydrolysate to be used as fertilizer. Fish scraps were collected from seafood wholesalers and used to make high quality fish hydrolysate fertilizer to reduce costs of urban farming and create a more circular economy around urban food systems. The performance is similar to organic fertilizers normally used by urban farms.
3) the project also shared results with other urban farms (3-5) and 50 home gardeners and students with respect to soil health and production improvements as measured by Cornell’s CASH analysis through 2 workshops and a presentation at an annual sustainable agriculture conference as well and 3 how to videos co-produced with the Youth Composters and BCC.
In 2015, Johns Hopkins Center for a Livable Future (CLF), in collaboration with the Baltimore Food Policy Initiative, found that one in four of the city’s residents live in 'food deserts' with limited access to healthy foods. This project helped address the issue by increasing local food production at the Filbert Street Garden Urban Farm through the application of high quality locally-made organic fertilizers and soil amendments. Use of these novel products will reduce the farm’s cost of production by providing a viable substitute for imported or store bought fertilizers. It is also important to note that the Baltimore region has some of the worst air pollution in the country, with some neighborhoods such as Brooklyn-Curtis Bay having 3 active trash incinerators. This has led to myriad problems in this area including high hospitalization rates for pediatric asthma and over 114 days in 2018 being classified as yellow or worse by the EPA’s Air Quality Index. Baltimore Compost Collective is currently diverting over 800 - 1000 pounds a week of waste from the incinerators. This project identified opportunities to increase composting in the City by creating other products separate from the “Black Gold” traditional aerobic compost that is currently being produced. These novel products included fish hydrolysate fertilizer, fungal dominant compost produced in passively aerated static composting bioreactors (similar to Dr. Johnson’s Johnson- Su Composting Bioreactor), and anerobic lacto-fermented “Bokashi Compost” created from a variety of local waste streams. As opposed to traditional compost, Bokashi composting allows for the conversion of meat and dairy waste into a valuable soil conditioner allowing Baltimore Compost Collective to process a wider array of waste materials and divert them from the incinerator. Fertilizer and input costs are a significant portion of total farm expenditure for Urban Farms. This project also developed and disseminated methods that will enable the Urban Farming and Home Gardener Communities in Baltimore to be more profitable, competitive, and resilient by directly reducing these costs. This sort of model also provides for ample ancillary benefits such as (i) a reduction in material being sent to incinerator (ii) opportunities for educational/vocational training and employment , and (iii) improvements in soil health and fertility.
Cooperators
- - Producer
- (Researcher)
- (Researcher)
- (Researcher)
Research
For photos and figures see: SARE Figures_2
Trial growing beds were established in 4x8 ft. beds with uniform base soil composition. The base soil for these trials consisted of a mixture of: top soil (50% by volume); compost (20% by volume); and lava rock (20% by volume), purchased from a local landscaping company. Transplants for all varietals were purchased from a local farmer at the start of the trials and were selected for uniformity though some noticeable variation existed. Soil amendments were added to soil at time of mixing and loaded into beds. Once plants reached a transplantable size, they were planted into beds in a high density manner.
Control plants did not receive any additional treatments. Bokashi plants were amended with ½ cup of Bokashi Compost directly at the rootzone. BEAM + Bokashi plants were amended with ½ cup of equally mixed BEAM and Bokashi Mix (approximately ¼ cup each per planting). Only organic soil amendments were utilized for providing plant nutrition. These amendments included: alfalfa meal, cottonseed meal, neem seed meal, fish bone meal, crab meal, kelp meal, and glacial rock dusts. Non-nutritive soil amendments included: rice hulls and #4 Large Horticultural Perlite, which was mixed equally (~5% each by volume or 10% total) into Base Soil on arrival. Four irrigation lines per bed were installed and set on an automatic timer set to watering for 30 mins per day, three times a day.
Measurements were collected throughout the trials and an end-of-trial period at the time of reporting (Fig. 14), although all the trial varietals were still producing into late October. Measurements were standardized, with the Plant Height variable measured with a measuring tape from the base of the plant; the Stem Diameter variable measured with digital calipers; and the Plant Weight variable measured by weighing the washed and cleaned harvested plants on a calibrated kitchen scale (Fig. 15)
Our observations and results are encouraging for the use of compost-based soil amendments to supplant chemical-based fertilizers in agricultural production. These findings support the inclusion of advanced and best-practice composting methods to increase agricultural productivity and decrease chemical loads and attendant ecological pressures on local watersheds.
Our trials show the addition of Bokashi and BEAM compost products as soil remediation increased robustness across all planted types and varietals (Table 1). The Two-Way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) revealed statistically significant differences in plant height between the Control and the BEAM+Bokashi treated groups (p < 0.004). Similarly, significant differences were observed in plant diameters between the Control and BEAM+Bokashi treated groups (p < 0.003). The Tukey HSD test confirmed significant pairwise differences in each case. Differences between the BEAM+Bokashi and Bokashi only treatment were also significant for the height variable (p < 0.009) and diameter variable (p < 0.005). These findings suggest that the Beam+Bokashi treatment has a significant impact on plant height and diameter variables compared to the control (Fig. 17, Fig. 18, Fig. 19).
These results indicate the benefit of non-chemical treatment methods for improving agricultural production in yield and crop robustness. Further, they are shown in relationship to control crop growth rates in an already healthy soil mixture; the control crops were planted in soil conditions that had already been developed over several growing seasons. These results indicate a strong positive effect of BEAM and Bokashi soil treatment results on crop production and health.
The local weather during the growing period is also worthy of note (Fig. 20). At the time of reporting, late October 2023, all the trial crop varietals were still growing robustly outdoors (see Table 1). Early cold weather around the growing beds saw several evenings below freezing. Unseasonable highs and lows were observed, with the last week showing variations of a high 24 degrees Fahrenheit above October’s monthly average and a low 10 degrees. Freezing temperatures would normally stunt or halt the growth of these plants.
Thai basil, a varietal typically particularly sensitive to cold weather, is a key example of observed temperature resilience likely conveyed by the compost soil remediation. The trial Thai basil plants have continued producing unabated, despite the weather dipping below and spiking above its usual range (Fig. 21). This observation calls for future weather-specific trials, and indicates a strong possibility of BEAM and Bokashi soil amendment as an important climate adaptation and resilience strategy for stabilizing agricultural production under variable weather conditions.
In general, production was strong across plant varietals growing in soil enhanced with compost and soil remediation (Fig. 22, Fig. 23, Fig. 24). Further environmental observations include wildlife activity. Birds consumed some crops, with particular preference for the green peppers and causing damage to the ghost peppers (Fig. 25). There was also one instance of deer breaching the garden fence and consuming some green bell peppers. Despite these losses, the crops still produced well, though some of this ecological intervention may be an explanatory factor for the similarities between control and bokashi-only crop production, particularly with the green peppers. Plant spacing and some variations in shading likely had growing effects; for future trials, we recommend standardizing crop spacing and recording the UV strength experienced by each growing plot with a light-logger or other instrument.
In general, production was strong across plant varietals growing in soil enhanced with compost and soil remediation (Fig. 22, Fig. 23, Fig. 24). Further environmental observations include wildlife activity. Birds consumed some crops, with particular preference for the green peppers and causing damage to the ghost peppers (Fig. 25). There was also one instance of deer breaching the garden fence and consuming some green bell peppers. Despite these losses, the crops still produced well, though some of this ecological intervention may be an explanatory factor for the similarities between control and bokashi-only crop production, particularly with the green peppers. Plant spacing and some variations in shading likely had growing effects; for future trials, we recommend standardizing crop spacing and recording the UV strength experienced by each growing plot with a light-logger or other instrument.
|
Activity |
Timeline |
Responsible Party |
|
1. Determine location for bioreactors, bokashi systems and hydrolysate production |
8/21-9/21 |
RTR-BCC |
|
2. Conduct baseline soil testing |
8/21-9/21 |
Ridge to Reefs (RTR) |
|
3. Draw up plans, review with team, revise and distribute |
9/21 |
RTR |
|
4. Purchase materials and deliver to site |
9/21 |
RTR |
|
5. Construct BEAM bioreactors, produce fish hydrolysate, construct bokashi systems |
9/21-10/21 |
RTR-BCC |
|
6. Hold additional workshop/s for local urban farmers |
4/23 |
RTR-BCC |
|
7. Design trials for spring crops with control plots |
4/15/23 |
RTR |
|
8. Incorporate Bokashi, BEAM and control into experimental plots |
5/1/23 |
RTR-BCC |
|
9. Collect data and analyze data |
6/23-11/23 |
RTR |
|
10. Final Report |
10/30/23 - 12/15/23 |
RTR |
Lesson Learned
Bokashi
1. The process of making bokashi grains for composting relies on the ability to dry the wet grain product as it comes from the brewery. We rigged up a 55 gallon drum to be a heated dryer but were certainly challenged due to the wet grain product being oversaturated and being allowed to sit too long before being dried. As a result we had to spread out the grains and air dry them, at least to a point where it was dry enough to place back in the 55 gallon drum dryer.
2. We researched a larger dryer system used especially for grain to help us expedite this part of the Bokashi process. We purchased the larger scale grain solar dryer and ran tests on how long drying larger volumes would take and learned several things: 1) the grain coming from the brewery is very wet much wetter than grain harvested from a field -- for example 40 -50% moisture versus 10-15% from grain harvested from a field -- therefore it takes much longer and needs to be placed in the dryer in a thin layer 1 inch or less; 2) adding a false bottom to the 55 gallon barrel helped to separate and decant and remove the liquid from the bottom as the grain cools also leaving the lid cracked to allow steam to leave the barrel helps as well.
3. In retrospect, some of our best results and the least amount of labor and chances of contamination were from 1) Collecting the bokashi while still hot/warm from the brewery and 2) making the bokashi as soon as the temperature of the bokashi was suitable for mixing with EM-1 (effective microorganisms) and molasses. This resulted in a good quality bokashi without the need for excessive processing, including drying the product and rewetting later. The process which we followed initially was as follows: 1) collect spent grains from the brewery; 2) allow grains to dry and cool at the same time in a 55 gallon food grade barrel with a false bottom at tap at the bottom for removing liquid; 3) make sure spent grains are at field capacity (if you squeeze grains in your hand some liquid will come out) (not sopping wet or too dry); 4) Mix with EM-1( 4 tablespoons) and molasses (4 Tablespoons) and place in 5 gallon bucket with an airtight lid; 5) Bokashi should develop in 2 - 4 weeks; 6) dry bokashi for amending your soil (⅓ of a cup per cubic ft of soil) or make compost tea (add 2 cups/ ½ liter to 5 gallons of unchlorinated water and brew for 20-40 hrs) for watering and foliar sprays.
BEAM
1. BEAM compost production is challenging in a relatively cold climate (central Maryland) where freeze thaw is common in the winter time. We realized that the 1-2 minute cycles of daily watering (1 minute is what we recommend in this climate due to frequent rainfall and humidity) should be ceased in the winter time to avoid freezing the timer and irrigation lines. The system overall in this climate would benefit from being either indoors or within a greenhouse -- we considered a fish tank heater for the water but the compost would be subject to freezing as well. That said, we believe freeze-thaw is a beneficial mechanism of the creation of compost and aids in the breakdown of organic materials -- so halting watering in the winter and allowing that process to occur is beneficial we suspect. If the system is exposed to the elements and precipitation, we recommend the use of a moisture sensor that can cut off daily watering when there is already ample moisture.
2. For BEAM to achieve optimal fungal domination, it would be critical to have the compost under cover from rainfall or only water the compost when there is not adequate existing moisture (making watering dependent on a moisture sensor level could be done using a low cost moisture sensor connected to a commercially available timer). Frequent rainfall in the Mid-Atlantic may ultimately be too much moisture for the system as saturation/over saturation is likely to occur too frequently (every 4-6 days on average).
Use of BEAM and Bokashi Composts
1. The BEAM + Bokashi combination achieved 22 to 39% more yield than the control with an average yield increase of 27.8% (for crops including tomatoes, green peppers, eggplants, hot peppers, thai basil and strawberries); Bokashi alone yields ranged from -3% to 28% with an 8.4% average when compared to the control.
2. Yields were generally relatively high across the trial due to the use of a quality full spectrum organic growing medium; perhaps a greater difference would have been seen if simply conventional soils with commercial fertilizer would have been used vs the amended.
3. A combination of BEAM and Bokashi Composts seems to be the best combination for consistent yields and tended to be superior to either BEAM or Bokashi on their own for a number of crop types. A 25 or 28% increase in crop yields using locally made fertilizers and soil amendments would be a significant gain in crop yields and positively impact farmer yields, revenue and ultimately food security. The 8% yield increase on average from Bokashi is also a significant increase. Also observed, was that BEAM compost quality would likely benefit from being covered in this region due to relatively frequent rainfall. In addition, it has been reported that brassicas tend not to see much of a benefit from BEAM which is a fungal dominated compost but seemed to benefit considerably from a combination of BEAM + Bokashi.
4. Lastly, BEAM compost would likely benefit further from the use of non-chlorinated water which also could have been detrimental to the BEAM.
The project investigated methods for creating BEAM Compost and Bokashi compost amendments as well as fish hydrolysate fertilizer as well as the impact of beneficial composts on vegetable production through a side-by-side comparison. Insights were compiled on the creation of BEAM and Bokashi composts in Mid-Atlantic temperate climates. Trials using Bokashi compost as well as a combination of both BEAM + Bokashi were performed. The BEAM + Bokashi combination achieved 22 to 39% more yield than the control with an average yield increase of 27.8% (for crops including tomatoes, green peppers, eggplants, hot peppers, thai basil and strawberries); Bokashi alone yields ranged from -3% to 28% with an 8.4% average when compared to the control. A combination of BEAM and Bokashi Composts seems to be the best combination for consistent yields and tended to be superior to either BEAM or Bokashi on their own for a number of crop types. A 25 or 28% increase in crop yields using locally made fertilizers and soil amendments would be a significant gain in crop yields and positively impact farmer yields, revenue and ultimately food security. The 8% yield increase on average from Bokashi is also a significant increase. Also, observed was that BEAM compost quality benefited from being covered in this region due to relatively frequent rainfall and excess moisture.
The process of creating a mature soil condition with BEAM and Bokashi compost remediation within one growing season and pre-trial soil treatment, as evidenced by these results, shows that agricultural production can achieve results comparable to chemical production with natural means. A large-scale shift from chemical-based fertilizers to BEAM and Bokashi compost methods offers a suite of ecological and economic benefits, including: upcycling waste streams and reducing incineration loads, thereby improving air quality and related public health effects; reducing chemical fertilizer run-off that leads to harmful algal blooms, reduced oxygen capacity in local waterways, and fish die-offs; offering nature-based alternatives to fertilizer products, a key economic resilience strategy for small-scale growers; and improving overall crop yield and robustness, a clear benefit for growers and food security. As witnessed in our trials, these strategies may also offer climate resilience benefits to crops; further studies are called for to explore BEAM and Bokashi soil treatments as a method of agricultural climate adaptation.
Education & Outreach Activities and Participation Summary
Participation Summary:
Ridge to Reefs is a national and international organization working on food and water security in the Chesapeake Region, Caribbean and the Pacific and as such it has a regional and national presence and website to distribute information and resources. Ridge to Reefs and its partners Baltimore Compost Collective at Filbert Street Garden shared results in three primary ways in this project: 1) Hosting at 2 workshops for urban farms and home gardeners on the three methods employed in this project; 2) how-to and lessons learned videos and written project summaries and 3) through conference attendance and presentations at both regional and national venues. Some of the workshops were hosted at Filbert Street Garden where Baltimore Compost Collective is located and another local urban farm and included guidance on design and construction of the Johnson-Su bioreactors for BEAM, bokashi composting area and grain dryer, and fish hydrolysate production and include use of these products to improve soil health and fertility. Youth Composters teamed with RTR staff to make videos on how to do various techniques, incorporate them into urban agriculture, results and lessons learned -- which would go beyond the usefulness of simple how-to videos that often do not show the agronomic benefits and soil health improvements. Some of the work was also used to create short-technical guidance fact sheets that will be included in the final report. Lastly, the team will presented at several national and regional conferences including agriculture and composting conferences including ReED, and Compost 2023. A youth member of the project team participated in presentations and summarized the data that they helped to collect. Marvin Hayes as the founder and director of Baltimore Compost Collective and Phal Mantha, Director of Agriculture of Sustainability presented at these National forums and will discussed these new methods of creating high quality composts and soil amendments.
Marvin Hayes also recently presented at South By Southwest SXSW in a session on composting, climate change and food security. Marvin has done numerous tours with school groups, several with foundations, and participated in a radio show. Phal Mantha and Paul Sturm were grateful to be asked by our colleagues in Palau and at the Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences |JIRCAS to contribute a chapter based on our work and philosophy on creating local inputs for regenerative agriculture. The book is titled Agriculture in Palau: A Manual for Production through Soil Assessment - the chapter they contributed is called Soil Amendments for Increased Agricultural Output. They have also been asked to contribute to a second book with the same partners.
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge of composting techniques and options for bokashi which allows for more "waste" food to be composted as well as BEAM composting which can provide a lot of fertility for urban farms based on the small amount needed to improve soil health. In addition, the ability to utilize on-farm manures from animals as well as wood chips and leaves to make high quality aerobic composts such as BEAM.
Project Outcomes
Outcomes
- Bokashi and BEAM composting are becoming elements of fertility in at least one urban farm in Baltimore and at least two other farms plan to add these components in the future.
- We have defined specific protocols for making Bokashi in our area.
- We are modifying the designs for the BEAM composting units based on our experience in this project building the original ones; and using pallets to build larger units that are easier to load and unload and which have additional capacity. We have utilized these methods for soil fertility and food security in Puerto Rico with cooperative producers and collaborators.
- We have secured additional resources for the broader project which includes Baltimore Compost Collective picking up curbside compost from residents and recycling it into high quality composts for urban farms. This includes a $55,000 grant from 11th Hour Racing for expanding the composting curbside pickup program and a $25,000 grant from Hoffberger foundation toward an electric vehicle for the curbside composting portion of the project.
The outcomes of our project approach and trials highlight BEAM and Bokashi compost amendments as highly effective, nature-based fertilizers for increasing crop production. We are encouraged by these data, and hope they will inspire practitioners from home-scale gardeners through large commercial agriculture operations to adopt this approach, upcycling waste-streams, lowering costs, and reducing chemical impacts on local watersheds.
We recommend further study focusing on the potential climate resilience benefits of growing crops in soil amended with BEAM and Bokashi compost inputs and additional comparisons to chemical fertilizers and conventional growing media. These studies may answer pressing questions about bolstering local, community-scale, and large-scale food security concerns in near-term climate futures. We also recommend improvements to BEAM composting as identified in this study to improve the fungal dominated nature of the BEAM that may have been affected by the level of moisture in the early testing of the compost. We also recommend studying ways of accelerating BEAM composting techniques to reduce the maturation time from 1 year to shorter durations.