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.