1997 Annual Report for FNC97-187
Marketing On-farm Composted Manure
Summary
Composting of livestock manure, while provideing an environmentally friendly way of handling livestock waste, also provides an excellent nutrient source for farm crops, lawns, gardens, golf courses, greenhouses, etc.
Objectives: To create a partnership of farmers, government organizations and a local FFA chapter to market composted manure. The partners formed a compost team to explore requirments for operating a management service to ensure a consistent product, identify markets, evaluate product quality, determine environmental effects and economic viability, disseminate information and expand service for other on-farm composters.
Results: The team determined requirements to maintain product consistency and produced compost on two farms. The FFA members developed a marketing plan and marketed 150 yards of compost to local producers, landscapers, gardeners and greenhouses. Project information was disseminated through local media, field days and FFA activities. The project was extended one year for expansion and data collection.