Farmer-to-Farmer Compost Exchange Project

Farmer-to-Farmer Compost Exchange Project

Summary

Key Findings
The Farmer-to-Farmer Compost Exchange project was an on-farm demonstration that evaluated a leaf/manure compost operation on a dairy farm in terms of nutrient management and economic feasibility. We also sought to increase the use of compost
as a soil amendment on commercial farms. We found:
* Composting leaves with manure is a cost-effective agricultural waste management technique in a dairy operation;
* After five years of land-applying compost, the test farm no longer needs commercial applications of P or K for corn silage production; this equates to a savings of almost $2,000 per yr;
* Compost use for field operations by farmers is cost and equipment dependent many agricultural operations do not have equipment for hauling and spreading compost; and
* Combining leaves with manure at a nearby farm resolves a municipal solid waste disposal problem in an environmentally compatible manner.

Objectives
1. Evaluation of the use of composted municipal leaves and animal wastes as a viable nutrient management practice for dairy operations and feasibility of using dairy farms as leaf composting facilities.

2. Analyses of two types of compost: leaf compost alone, and leaf/manure compost to develop recommendations for application to other farm and land use operations.

3. Educate area farmers on use of compost as a soil amendment and determine feasibility of developing a farmer-to-farmer compost exchange program.

4. Have demonstration fields of three different types of area agricultural operations. Evaluate agricultural fields, with compost applied, for crop yield changes and potential use of compost as a best management practice (BMP) for water quality protection, inclusive of nutrient management, integrated pest management (IPM) and soil erosion control.

5. Assess marketability of compost for other land use practices in the area and establish a potential marketing network.

Method and Findings
This project focused on assessing compost operations at Powder Hill Farm and the use of compost on area demonstration sites. Four demonstration plots were established on commercial growing operations and two on state properties. Appraisal means included: field sampling and analysis of compost; evaluation and modification of compost operations; evaluation of leaf/manure composting as agricultural BMP; on-farm demonstrations at three commercial farms and two state facilities; and outreach opportunities for other uses. In general, results of the project were positive. The farmer found composting to be a viable way to manage the disposal of municipal leaves and dairy manure. Windrowing allowed for the use of existing equipment, had no electricity requirements and produced a uniform product. It is, however, labor intensive and weather dependent. Commercial growers generally found the compost to be a good soil amendment and potting medium. Off-farm use appears to be more limited because of the lack of market development and competition from less costly products rather than for technical reasons.

Windrow composting began over four years ago and continues today. When the town delivers leaves in the fall, usually November, windrows are formed ranging from 10 to 12 feet high by 15 to 20 at the base by 150 to 200 feet long. Leaves are added to manure in loafing areas (10:1 ratio) to improve its bulk and stiffness for ease of handling. The manure/leaf mixture is then added to windrows with a manure spreader. Piles are turned between four and nine times per year dependent upon weather conditions and the farmer’s work load. After composting, piles are allowed to cure 60 to 180 days. Piling and mixing is done with a front-end loader. A home-made trommel screener is used for final processing.

In the initial stages, two types of compost were developed: 1) leaves composted separately, and, 2) leaves composted with manure. Leaves alone took many weeks longer to compost than the combined materials. They also provided little intrinsic value for nutrient management in an operation where manure is the main problem waste stream that needs to be handled. Without a leaf/manure blend, the farmer felt impelled to charge a higher tipping fee for the leaves because he still had to deal with the manure.

Composting leaves alone was determined to be cost prohibitive in lieu of capital expenditures required for construction of manure holding lagoons, and therefore, was abandoned early on. Front-end difficulties with Enfield’s leaf pick up procedures and schedules led to an educational outreach program with the town. For the compost operation to be successful, the delivery of leaves to the farm needs to be timely and the leaves need to be free of debris. Municipal procedures (including efforts to increase citizen awareness of the need for a clean leaf source) were changed successfully.

The development of a farmer-to-farmer compost exchange program turned out to be a more difficult task than anticipated. What became obvious was the lack of necessary equipment by most commercial agricultural operations to transport and spread the compost in the fields. Operations not requiring field spreading, such as potted flower and vegetable greenhouses, found the compost to be invaluable.

During 1995 Collins noted a marked increase in sales of compost to home gardeners. Strong positive feelings were expressed about the use of natural compost compared to other commercially available soil amendments. Two commercial potted vegetable and flower plant greenhouse operations began to use the compost in 1995 and continue to today. Weed seed growth continues to be one drawback.

During the second growing season it became obvious that our focus on particular types of commercial growers was becoming somewhat overshadowed by other types of agricultural producers, e.g., greenhouses. Lack of adequate transportation and land application equipment appeared to be drawbacks for widespread use of compost in field cropping operations.

During the course of this study, other uses of Collin’s compost have included:
* as a mulch in reclaiming an abandoned sand & gravel pit;
* as an admixture with topsoil for a new lawn at the Enfield public works department garage;
* as a bedding for growing bait worms;
* as a soil amendment to naturally low organic soils for vegetable crops grown by Foodshare, a nonprofit group that assists low income inner-city families;
* as a growth medium for a raised bed demonstration at the Audubon Society’s farm in Pomferet;
* as part of an ongoing research project being conducted by the University of Massachusetts comparing differing types of composts to facilitate the growth of vegetable crops in low organic soils of the Connecticut River valley; and,
* as a filtering medium for the renovation of stormwater runoff from a commercial parking lot. Each of these uses are efforts at seeking out potential future markets.

Conclusions
Project results indicated the following:
1) a clean source of leaves is necessary to produce a high quality compost;

2) education of municipal personnel and citizens on proper leaf pick up, handling and delivery is important;

3) composting leaves with manure is a cost-effective agricultural waste management technique in a dairy operation;

4) consistent, high-quality compost is the most marketable;

5) compost use for field operations by farmers is cost and equipment dependent many agricultural operations do not have equipment for hauling and spreading compost;

6) leaf/manure compost appears to have a higher intrinsic value to greenhouses, gardeners and landscapers than it does in field crop applications;

7) dependency on municipal leaves as a carbon source is also subject to the municipal competitive bidding process;

8) as an agricultural waste management technique for dairy manure, composting can eliminate the need for a capital investment of up to $65,000; and

9) off-farm sales require a concerted marketing effort.

Composting is an environmentally sound and productive way to manage and recycle leaves and dairy manure. The product of composting is easier to handle, has a smaller volume and is a more stable than the input materials. While compost can be land applied to decrease the need for nutrients from commercial fertilizers, composted by- products may also be marketed for higher value. After five years of land applying compost, Powder Hill Farm no longer uses commercial applications of phosphorus and potash in areas of silage corn production, approximately 120 acres. It appears the leaf/manure compost is serving as an adequate source of phosphorus (P) and potassium (K). Formerly, 50 pounds of P and 100 pounds of K were applied. At a cost of $250/ton and $190/ton, respectively, this amounts to a savings of $1,890 annually.
Similarly, liming that was formerly applied every other year is no longer necessary. Applied 1 ton/acre at a cost of $32/ton, this amounts to a net savings of $3,840/year of application.

Other soil improvements noted by the farmer include:
1) more drought resistance due to increase in organic matter;
2) better tilth now plows 12 inches to 14 inches compared to 10 inches to 12 inches and,
3) fields are more homogeneous, i.e., smooth, resulting in more uniform crop production.

Farm management improvements include:
1) odor reduction r2esulting in fewer complaints from neighbors;
2) reduction of nuisance fly problems;
3) more timely spring-time field work because leaf/manure compost is field stacked during the winter and ready for immediate application; and,
4) avoidance of a costly liquid manure lagoon, i.e., up to $65,000 structure.

From a municipal standpoint, combining leaves with manure at a nearby farm resolves a solid waste disposal problem in an environmentally compatible manner. In terms of water quality, by reducing manure runoff from stockpiles and early season land spreading both surface and ground water stand to improve by implementing field application of compost. As a nutrient management technique, it is minimizing edge-of-field delivery of nutrients and limits leaching from the root zone. Based on this study, composting of leaves and manure should be considered as a best management practice for nutrient management and agricultural waste management.

Reported December 1997. 1999 Northeast Region SARE/ACE Report.