Project Overview
Commodities
Practices
Proposal summary:
Fertilizer for organic often travel thousands of miles before reaching farms. Cost have bounced higher and creates producers dependent on outside sources and buying from unfriendly countries. By improving on-farm composting, farmers can transform local waste materials into a valuable, nutrient-rich fertilizer, reducing reliance on long-distance inputs.
A growing number of producers-especially organic and regenerative farmers-are seeking more efficient, composting methods. One promising approach is the use of Lactobacillus cultures to accelerate breakdown, stabilize nutrients, and reduce odors. While Lactobacillus is widely used in Korean Natural Farming and small-scale systems, its application in larger Midwest composting operations is not well standardized and farmers lack clear, practical guidance for using it effectively at scale.
Since these composting and fertilizer-access challenges are common across the region, this project has strong potential to benefit many other farmers. By testing Lactobacillus in controlled comparisons, documenting temperature, moisture, microbial activity, and finished compost quality, and sharing results, we aim to create replicable knowledge that can strengthen composting systems and reduce dependence high priced distant fertilizer and help farmers standardize farm composting using a quicker and more efficient method using a natural bacteria .
Project objectives from proposal:
Lactobacillus produces enzymes that help break down proteins, fats, and carbohydrates more efficiently, accelerating the composting process. We will create large windrows of horse manure and hay, turning them weekly and adding moisture as needed. The treatment piles will receive a weekly application of Lactobacillus-prepared by culturing organic yogurt ( letting it grow and multiply) in a 5-gallon drum and mixing it into the watering system that turns the compost and sprays water throughout the compost as we turn it. Control piles will receive the same amount of water on the same schedule but no added bacteria.
Every two weeks, we will collect samples from the compost piles sampling both the treated and untreated piles to compare temperatures, CO₂ levels, and laboratory profiles. Samples will be submitted to Midwest Laboratories for full analysis, including nutrient composition, carbon-to-nitrogen ratios, and microbial activity. Because the compost includes manure, we will also test for pathogens such as E. coli and Salmonella to ensure the finished compost meets FSMA food safety standards. As part of FSMA documentation, each pile must maintain 10 days above 130°F, confirming adequate pathogen reduction.
Improve Nutrient Stabilization
Lactobacillus can help retain nitrogen and other nutrients typically lost during decomposition. We will monitor CO₂ loss (indicates you may be losing a lot of nitrogen when this is gassing off the piles of compost) alongside temperature using a continuous recording device. Turning dates, moisture additions, and temperature curves will be documented throughout the compost cycle. Because Minnesota has a short warm season, determining how long each pile takes to "cure" and begin cooling will be valuable for identifying the most efficient composting timeline for regional farmers. (Note: Lee and Noreen already have a compost turner and watering system for this work.) We also will closely monitor temperature because compost at 160 degrees and above will overheat ( may start on fire) we will use a monitoring device within the piles.
Enhance Microbial Diversity
Adding Lactobacillus is expected to increase beneficial microbial populations in the compost. A more diverse microbial community contributes to healthier soil biology once the compost is applied, supporting long-term soil regeneration and nutrient cycling on farms.
Reduce Odors and Pathogens
Lactobacillus naturally lowers pH and suppresses odor-causing and harmful microbes. To evaluate odor reduction, we will conduct blind smell tests with farm family members using sealed samples from both treated and untreated piles.
Create a Replicable, Low-Cost System for Farmers
Because this system uses simple ingredients-Lactobacillus cultured from organic yogurt or brewery by-products-it is inexpensive and easy for beginning, small, and mid-size farms to adopt. The process will be shared through workshops, field days, and on-farm demonstrations to help other farmers replicate the method.
Field Application and On-Farm Evaluation
Once the compost is cured, fields will marked and the compost added on each side of the field: Lactobacillus-enhanced compost and standard compost being marked with flags, compost weighed, applied and worked into soi. Each side of the marked field will be applied at approximately three tons per acre, with a designated control strip for comparison. We will measure yields, soil health indicators, and plant vigor, as well as observe differences in disease pressure.
In previous seasons, we observed noticeable reductions in weed emergence where Lactobacillus compost was applied-clear enough to create a visible line between treated and untreated areas. This project will formally test and document whether Lactobacillus consistently contributes to reduced weed pressure, which could be a significant benefit for organic and regenerative farmers.