Abstract
Farm-scale composting, also known as on-farm composting,
is a practical way to handle organic wastes and produce a
stablized organic soil amendment at the same time. Yet, it involves
specialized techniques for handling and managing large volumes
of animal manures, leaves, and food wastes, paying attention to
environmental factors that produce a quality humus produce while
avoiding flies and odors. This is a Web-based resource list, featuring
a selection of the best primers, reference books and manuals, and
Web-based documents that comprise a ready-made technical library
on farm-scale composting.
Table of Contents
Key References on Farm-Scale Composting
These first two items from NRAES, a manual and a field guide, are essential references, highly recommended for the on-farm composter's bookshelf.
On-Farm Composting Handbook (NRAES–54) is a 186-page manual for on-farm composting from the Natural Resource, Agriculture, and Engineering Service (NRAES), originally published in 1992. It provides a comprehensive summary of the composting process, composting methods, raw materials, compost use, site and environmental considerations, marketing, economics, and management. It is still the most comprehensive overview on farm-scale composting published by the Extension Service. It lists for $25.
Field Guide to On-Farm Composting (NRAES–114), published in 1999, is a handy companion to the On-Farm Composting Handbook from NRAES. The 128-page Field Guide is a spiral-bound booklet filled with handy tables, illustrations, color photos, recipes, and calculations. It has chapters on operations and equipment, raw materials and recipe making, process control, site considerations, composting livestock mortalities, and compost use on the farm. Highly recommended as a compost facility reference guide. It lists for $14.
Natural Resource, Agriculture, and Engineering Service (NRAES)
Cooperative Extension
PO Box 4557
Ithaca, NY 14852-4557
607-255-7654
607-254-8770 FAX
nraes@cornell.edu
www.nraes.org
Compost for Manure Management is a special 77-page BioCycle report that focuses on turning livestock waste into a valuable soil amendment. Topics addressed include Turning a Disposal Problem into a Profit Center; Making, Selling and Applying Composted Manure; Handling Liquids and Solids; Working with Traveling Composters; In-Vessel Systems and Anaerobic Digestion Technology; Getting the Right Materials Mix; Composting High Moisture Manure; Low-Cost Compost Pad Options. It lists for $39 through BioCycle/JG Press.
Other Notable Titles from BioCycle
- The Practical Guide to Compost Marketing and Sales, $95
- Composting Manure for Value-Added Products, $39
- The Composter's Answers Book, $39
BioCycle/JG Press
419 State Avenue
Emmaus, PA 18049
610-967-4135
610-967-1345
biocycle@jgpress.com
www.jgpress.com
B.C. Agricultural Composting Handbook
B.C. Agricultural Composting Handbook, published by British Columbia Ministry of Agriculture, is a handbook consisting of eighteen composting fact sheets. It provides a nice complement to the NRAES publication mentioned above. Topics include The Composting Process; Characteristics of On-Farm Composting Materials; Blending Materials for the Composting Process; Composting Methods; Site Selection; Co-Composting with Off-Farm Wastes; Economics; Using Compost; and others.
The second printing, from 1998, is now located online in Adobe Acrobat; i.e., PDF downloads, leaflet by leaflet.
B.C. Agricultural Composting Handbook
British Columbia Ministry of Agriculture and Food
www.agf.gov.bc.ca/resmgmt/publist/300series/382500-0.pdf
Composting: Introduction
www.agf.gov.bc.ca/resmgmt/publist/300series/382500-1.pdf
The Composting Process
www.agf.gov.bc.ca/resmgmt/publist/300series/382500-2.pdf
Characteristics of On-Farm Composting Materials
www.agf.gov.bc.ca/resmgmt/publist/300series/382500-3.pdf
Blending Materials for the Composting Process
www.agf.gov.bc.ca/resmgmt/publist/300series/382500-4.pdf
Composting Methods
www.agf.gov.bc.ca/resmgmt/publist/300series/382500-5.pdf
Site Selection for Composting
www.agf.gov.bc.ca/resmgmt/publist/300series/382500-6.pdf
Managing Agricultural Composting Systems
www.agf.gov.bc.ca/resmgmt/publist/300series/382500-7.pdf
Managing Poultry Mortality Composting Systems
www.agf.gov.bc.ca/resmgmt/publist/300series/382500-8.pdf
Managing Pork Mortality Composting Systems
www.agf.gov.bc.ca/resmgmt/publist/300series/382500-9.pdf
Mortality Bin Compost Design
www.agf.gov.bc.ca/resmgmt/publist/300series/382500-10.pdf
Composting: Environmental Concerns
www.agf.gov.bc.ca/resmgmt/publist/300series/382500-11.pdf
Regulations Affecting Composting
www.agf.gov.bc.ca/resmgmt/publist/300series/382500-12.pdf
Co-Composting with Off-Farm Wastes
www.agf.gov.bc.ca/resmgmt/publist/300series/382500-13.pdf
Economics of Composting
www.agf.gov.bc.ca/resmgmt/publist/300series/382500-14.pdf
Using Compost
www.agf.gov.bc.ca/resmgmt/publist/300series/382500-15.pdf
Composting: Suggested Reading and References
www.agf.gov.bc.ca/resmgmt/publist/300series/382500-16.pdf
Glossary of Composting Terms
www.agf.gov.bc.ca/resmgmt/publist/300series/382500-17.pdf
Woods End Research Laboratory
Woods End Research Laboratory in Mt. Vernon, Maine, specializes in compost and soil analysis, consultation, and research. Dr. William Brinton, director of the lab, has published many articles and books on the composting process, compost analysis, and compost use.
The Web page at Woods End offers free article reprints, for-sale article reprints, and for-sale publications. The Woods End publications offer authoritative as well as practical approaches to on-farm composting.
Woods End Research Laboratory
P.O. Box 297
Mt Vernon, ME 04352
207-293-2457
207-293-248 FAX
compost@woodsend.org
www.woodsend.org
Selected For-Sale Publications and Reprints
- Earth, Plant, and Compost
- Composting Fish By-Products: A Feasibility Study
- Composting Potato Culls and Potato Waste Processing
- On-Farm Composting: Effects of Technology & Intensification on End-Product Quality and Costs
- School Food Scrap Composting Operations & Design Manual
- Microbial Approaches to Composting
- Compost Maturity Effects on Plant and Root Development in Containers
Selected Free Article Reprints
- Basis for Interpretation of Compost Analyses
- Soil Testing: The Basis for Interpretation
- Living Compost—Living Carbon
- Sustainable Composting in the Vineyard
- Survey of US Commercial Composts: The OG Report
- Sustainability of Modern Composting: Intensification Versus Costs and Quality
- Dynamic Chemical Processes Underlying BD Horn Manure (500) Preparation
- Compost Quality Standards & Guidelines: An International View
University Web Pages
The Science and Engineering of Composting
Cornell University
http://compost.css.cornell.edu/science.html
WasteNOT Organics
Leslie Cooperband, University of Wisconsin
www.wastenot-organics.wisc.edu
The Art and Science of Composting: A Resource for Farmers and Compost Producers
Leslie Cooperband, University of Wisconsin
www.cias.wisc.edu/pdf/artofcompost.pdf
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Notable Compost References
Occasionally the need arises to consult engineering handbooks and science textbooks on composting processes and technical specifications. Here are a few key references.
Science and Engineering of Composting: Design, Environmental, Microbiological and Utilization Aspects. 1993. Edited by Harry Hoitink and Harold Keener. The Ohio State University with Renaissance Publications, Worthington, OH . 728 p.
Proceedings of the International Composting Research Symposium in 1992. Major sections include Microbiology, Systems and Infrastructure of Composting; Odor Control; Biodegradation of Organic Pollutants During Composting; Heavy Metals; Compost Stability and Maturity; Facility Management; Beneficial Effects Induced by Composts; Economic Considerations. Formerly distributed by BioCycle/JG Press. Out of print.
The Practical Handbook of Compost Engineering. 1993. By R.T. Haug. Lewis Publishers, Boca Raton, FL. 717 p.
This is an engineering handbook from Lewis Publishers, a CRC Press imprint, edited by Roger Haug, adjunct professor at Loyola Marymount University. It provides a comprehensive review of composting with lots of engineering data and technical specifications. The sections on composting systems and compost biology are particularly useful. The book is listed here mainly as a library reference. It lists for $169 through CRC Press.
The Science of Composting. 1997. By Eliot Epstein. CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL. 487 p.
Epstein's book is another encyclopedic reference on composting from CRC Press; other editions are published by Technomic Pub. Co. in Lancaster, PA. It covers the fundamentals of the composting process (microbiology, biochemistry, physical/chemical aspects), environmental and health issues, beneficial impacts of compost on soils, new uses of compost, and governmental regulations on composting. It lists for $199 through CRC Press.
Compost Utilization In Horticultural Cropping Systems. 2001. By Peter J. Stoffella and Brian A. Kahn. Lewis Publishers, Boca Raton, FL. 414 p.
This is a CRC Press-Lewis Publishers book edited by Peter Stoffella and Brian Kahn, horticultural professors at University of Florida and Oklahoma State University, respectively. This is a valuable addition to the compost literature because it is recently published, and the chapters contain contributions from well-known authors in compost technology. Topics include Biological, Chemical, and Physical Processes of Composting; Commerical Compost Production Systems; Compost Quality; Compost Effects on Crop Growth; Compost Utilization; Disease Suppressive Composts; Nitrogen Sources and Mineralization Rates; and Human Pathogen Precautions. It lists for $100 through CRC Press.
CRC Press LLC
Customer Service
2000 NW Corporate Blvd
Boca Raton, FL 33431
561-994-0555
561-989-9732 FAX
orders@crcpress.com
www.crcpress.com
Microbiology of Composting. 2002. Edited by H. Insam, N. Riddech, and S. Klammer. Springer, Berlin. 632 p.
This book is based on the symposium "Microbiology of Composting and other Biodegradation Processes" held in Innsbruck, Austria, in October 2000. It has sections on Microbial Communities, Processes and Controls, Biodegradability, Maturity Testing, Application and Environmental Impact, Plant and Human Pathogens, and Air-Borne Emissions and Their Control. It lists for $155 through Amazon.com.
Other Titles
Winning the Organics Game: The Compost Marketer's Handbook. 1996. By Rodney W. Tyler. ASHS Press, Alexandria, VA. 269 p.
Composting of Agricultural and Other Wastes. 1985. J.K.R. Gasser. Elsevier Applied Science, London, UK. 320 p.
Compost: Production, Quality, and Use. 1987. M. De Bertoldi. Elsevier Applied Science, New York, NY. 853 p.
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Compost Associations & Networks
The compost industry associations offer essential resources for farm-scale and large-scale composting. The following items identify the key manuals, article reprints, and Web resources offered by these associations and networks.
U.S. Composting Council
4250 Veterans Memorial Highway Suite 275
Holbrook, NY 11741
631-737-4931
631-737-4939 FAX
admin@compostingcouncil.org
www.compostingcouncil.org
The U.S. Composting Council is a trade and professional organization promoting compost. A recent accomplishment is the development of compost analysis methods and compost quality standards—i.e., the TMECC program—which involves laboratories that analyze compost samples according to a Seal of Testing Assurance.
Selected For-Sale Publications
- Farmer's Field Guide to Compost Production & Use
- Field Guide to Compost Use
- Suggested Compost Parameters & Guidelines for Compost Use
- Compost Facility Operating Guide
- Landscape Architecture Compost Use Specifications
Also see:
Test Methods for the Examination of Composting and Compost (TMECC)
http://tmecc.org/tmecc/index.html
The Composting Council of Canada
16 Northumberland Street
Toronto, Ontario M6H 1P7 Canada
416-535-0240
416-536-9892 FAX
ccc@compost.org
www.compost.org
The Composting Council of Canada (CCC) is a national non-profit, member-driven organization with a charter to advocate and advance composting and compost use. Publications for sale include the "Odour Management at Compost Sites" manual.
Especially see the following Web-based materials, which include online papers from the proceedings of the CCC annual composting conferences.
Compost Industry Resources
www.compost.org/AboutCompostingIndustry.html
Selected papers are highlighted below.
Feedstock Information
- A Fresh Look at Composted Manure
- Composting of Swine Mortalities
- Composting of Straw-bedded and Wood Chip-bedded Beef Cattle Feedlot Manure
- Composting Paunch Manure
- Developing Cost-Effective In-Vessel Composting Technology for Animal Waste Composting
National Agricultural Compost Trials
www.compost.org/NationalAgriculturalCompostTrials1998.html
- Testing Compost for Agricultural Application
- Effect of Compost Use on Turf Grass: A Summary of Observations
- Use of Organic Composts in Horticultural Production Systems
- Use of Municipal Compost in Potato Rotation
Compost Use and Benefits
- Plant Growth Response to Six Compost Blends
- Evaluation of Customized Sod Compost for Turf Grass Germination and Pythium Suppression
- Key Issues Pertaining to Horticultural Applications for Compost
- Usage Variations in Plant Response to Organic and Inorganic Amendments in Sand
The CCC Web site also hosts the following series of composting fact sheets, created in cooperation with Alberta Environment, Action on Waste.
Composting Fact Sheets
www.compost.org/ccc_alberta_factsheet.html
The Composting Process
- Fundamental Principles
- Testing and Monitoring
- Odour Management
- Compost Maturity
- Feedstock Management
- Leachate Management
Successful Composting
- The Benefits of Compost
- Marketing Opportunities
- Community Relations
The Composting Association UK
www.compost.org.uk
Notable publications for sale include Large-Scale Composting—A Practical Manual for the UK, A Guide to In-Vessel Composting, and Health and Safety at Composting Sites: A Guide for Site Managers.
Go to the "Information" button and then to "Resources" on their Web page to gain access to many useful on-line publications and resources listed in the following categories.
- Large-Scale Composting
- Agriculture
- Information Sheets
The twenty-five Information Sheets—on topics such as On-Farm Composting, Vermicomposting, Feedstock Characteristics, Composting Noxious Weeds—are especially useful as quick downloads for use as a primer or reference series.
European Compost Network—ECN
www.compostnetwork.info
ECN—an effort of the ORBIT Association e.V., a non-profit international organization founded in 1997 to promote the scientific and technological development of environmental biotechnology—is a collaboration of partners promoting sustainable practices in composting, anaerobic digestion, and other treatment procedures for organic waste across Europe. The ECN Web page provides on-line access to papers and presentations from several proceedings, including:
- Animal By-Products Regulation Workshop—Impacts and Needs for Composting and Biogas Plants in Europe
- Effective Odour Management in Biological Waste Treatment Plants
Cré—Composting Association of Ireland
www.compostireland.ie/resources.html
Cré—Composting Association of Ireland hosts the following document—Cré Library of Composting Documents—available in HTML and Excel Spreadsheet, containing an extensive collection of Web-based resources.
European Commission on Environment/Waste
http://europa.eu.int/comm/environment/waste/compost/index.htm
Europa is the Web-based gateway to the European Union (EU). The European Commission on Environment hosts a Web page on waste management strategy, including documents on composting of biodegradable wastes.
Especially see:
Applying Compost—Benefits and Needs
Seminar Proceedings, Brussels, November 22–23, 2001
http://europa.eu.int/comm/environment/waste/compost/seminar.htm
Biological Treatment of Biodegradable Waste—Technical Aspects
Workshop in Brussels on April 8–10, 2002
http://europa.eu.int/comm/environment/waste/eventspast/bio.htm
CIRCA-EU SOIL POLICY Interest Group
http://forum.europa.eu.int/Public/irc/env/soil/library
Europa also hosts the CIRCA—Communications & Information Resource Centre Administration system, which has a section for the EU Soil Policy Interest Group. CIRCA is an electronic repository and library to share documents between EU Interest Group members, to exchange views and data on the development of soil policy, and to provide public access to documents.
The following pathway leads to a series of Task Group Reports on soil topics; these are document downloads that range from 25 to 75 pages in length. The Task Group 4 report on Exogenous Organic Matter deals with composting and related topics. The first three reports on soil organic matter and biodiversity, combined with the report on composting, provide an excellent source of documentation on benefits and uses of organic matter in agriculture and science, and on regulatory considerations with organic wastes and composting.
Library > Organic Matter and Biodiversity > Working Group > Final Reports > Task Group Reports
- Task Group 1—Functions, Role and Changes in SOM
- Task Group 2—Status and Distribution of SOM
- Task Group 3—Soil Biodiversity
- Task Group 4—Exogenous Organic Matter
- Task Group 5—Land Use Practices
- Task Group 6—Policy Responses in Europe
- Task Group 7—Impacts on Economy, Social and Environment
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Compost Software
Co-Composter
http://compost.css.cornell.edu/CoCompost.html
Co-Composter is an Excel spreadsheet to help plan co-composting systems that mix dairy manure and other organic wastes, developed by Cornell University's department of Biological and Environmental Engineering and the Cornell Waste Management Institute. Co-Composter provides mass and volume balances, area estimations, and a cost analysis of alternate composting systems based on user selected inputs.
Compost Recip-ez® from Pike Agri-Lab Supplies
www.pikeagri.com
Compost Recip-eze® is a compost planning spreadsheet from Pike Agri-Lab Supplies in Maine. The spreadsheet runs on Excel for Windows. Compost Recip-ez® helps determine the optimum C:N ratio, moisture level, structure ratings (porosity index), least cost blends, and associated compost management decisions. It provides the option to enter compost variables, such as how much water is needed to bring the compost windrow up to 50% moisture level in pounds or gallons or water. Inquire for pricing.
Pike Agri-Lab Supplies
154 Claybrook Rd.
P.O. Box 67
Jay, ME 04239
866-745-3247 (toll-free)
207-897-9267
207-897-9268 FAX
info@pikeagri.com
www.pikeagri.com
FORCE3©—Composting Formulation Software
www.criq.qc.ca/en/0202_envir/force3.html
FORCE3—Formulating Organic Recycling Compost Environment—is a Canadian software program that runs on the Windows platform, developed by CRIQ, Centre de Rechercher Industrielle Quebec. It calculates compost recipes based on feedstock ingredients, displays units in English and International units, keeps track of compost analysis properties for different batches in a database, and compares batch tests to compost quality standards. Inquire for pricing.
Compost Wizard
www.compostwizard.com
Compost Wizard is a spreadsheet program geared to designing a windrow composting operation based on current scientific and regulatory recommendations. The program relies on user-input data such as type of feedstocks, equipment, number of workers, and location of the facility to develop a preliminary design of the composting process and facility, as well as estimate capital and operating costs. Inquire for pricing.
Also see:
Compost Mix Calculator
Klickitat County, Washington
www.klickitatcounty.org/SolidWaste/default.asp?fCategoryIDSelected=965105457
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Magazines, Newsletters, and Journals
BioCycle
419 State Ave.
Emmaus, PA 18049
610-967-4135
610-967-1345 FAX
biocycle@jgpress.com
www.jgpress.com
$69/12 issues a year
BioCycle is the leading trade magazine for municipal, industrial, and on-farm composting. It is a practical source on turning organic residuals—livestock manures, yard trimmings, woody materials, food residuals, and biosolids—into value-added compost products. The BioCycle resource directory is a guide to companies that provide equipment and supplies.
Compost Science & Utilization
419 State Ave.
Emmaus, PA 18049
610-967-4135
610-967-1345 FAX
biocycle@jgpress.com
www.jgpress.com
$129/4 issues a year
Compost Science & Utilization is a quarterly peer-reviewed scientific journal on the composting process, compost properties, and use of compost in agriculture and land restoration. It is the premier source for scientific data and current research. Check with your university library regarding access to this journal.
Worm Digest
P.O. Box 544
Eugene, OR 97440-0544
941-485-0456
mail@wormdigest.org
www.wormdigest.org
$12/4 issues a year
Worm Digest is a quarterly publication that addresses vermicomposting, worm culture, properties and uses of worm castings, and related topics dealing with vermiculture, from small- to large-scale production systems. For-sale publications include The WormEbook and The Art of Small-Scale Vermicomposting. The Cyber Worm's Links section on their Web page contains an extensive list of educational resources as well as equipment and supplies.
The Compost Connection for Western Agriculture
http://csanr.wsu.edu/programs/compost/
The Compost Connection is an e-newsletter that was published between 1996 and 2000, edited by David Granatstein with the Washington State University Center for Sustaining Agriculture and Natural Resources (CSANR). It remains on-line and is still a good source for articles and research on farm-scale compost production, compost analysis, compost use in agriculture, and compost resources.
Composting News
McEntee Media Corp
9815 Hazelwood Ave.
Strongsville, OH 44149
440-238-6603
440-238-6712 FAX
info@recycle.cc
www.recycle.cc
www.recycle.cc/cnpage.htm
$83/12 issues a year
Composting News is an industry newsletter that tracks current market prices for value-added compost products. It provides monthly updates on compost trends, new composting legislation and regulations, compost technology and patents issued, compost research, and expanding markets. The Web page hosts The Internet Recycling and Composting Resource Page, a directory of equipment and supplies, at www.recycle.cc/resource.htm.
Also see the following Newsletters, Magazines and Buyer's Guides
From the Ground Up
www.urbancompost.org
Resource Recycling: North America's Recycling and Composting Journal
www.resource-recycling.com
Solid Waste & Recycling
www.solidwastemag.com/default.asp
Solid Waste.com
www.solidwaste.com
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E-mail Discussion Lists and Web Forums
U.S. Compost Council List (USCC)
http://mailman.cloudnet.com/pipermail/compost/
USCC, a moderated e-mail list hosted by the U.S. Compost Council, has become the prominent Internet discussion list for compost related topics.
Worm Forum
www.wormdigest.org/component/option,com_joomlaboard/Itemid,50/
The Worm Forum is a prominent Web forum for discussion and exchange of information on topics relating to worms, vermicomposting, vermiculture, and agricultural uses of vermicast. It is hosted by The Worm Digest, the non-profit organization and quarterly magazine.
How To Compost Forum
http://howtocompost.org/phpBB2/index.php
How To Compost was formerly known as The Compost Resource Page, which hosted Web forums on vermicomposting and large-scale composting.
How To Compost now hosts a series of Web forums using the phpBB customizable Open Source bulletin board program, a user-friendly and multi-functional platform. Web forums at How to Compost include Commercial Vermicomposting and Commercial Mushroom Composting, among others. The home page for How-to-Compost.org contains additional links and resources of interest.
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Bibliographies, Research Databases, and Search Engines
National Agricultural Library
www.nal.usda.gov
The National Agricultural Library manages specialized materials through several topic-oriented information centers. The Alternative Farming Systems Information Center (AFSIC) and the Water Quality Information Center (WQIC) have generated several bibliographies of interest on compost and manure management.
Quick Bibliographies on Compost from AFSIC
Compost: Application and Use, QB 97–01
January 1994–December 1996
275 Citations, June 1997
www.nal.usda.gov/afsic/AFSIC_pubs/qb9701.htm
Compost: On-farm Systems, QB 97–12
January 1990–June 1997
248 citations, September 1997
www.nal.usda.gov/afsic/AFSIC_pubs/qb9712.htm
Compost: Small-scale and Backyard Systems, QB 97–11
January 1990–June 1997
146 citations, September 1997
www.nal.usda.gov/afsic/AFSIC_pubs/qb9711.htm
Also see:
Alternative Farming Systems Information Center Bibliographies
www.nal.usda.gov/afsic/afspub.htm
- Dairy Farm Manure Management, QB 95–02
- Dairy Farm Manure Management (II)
- Earthworms, QB 97–06
- Earthworms in Agriculture
- Mycorrhizae: Impacts on Production, QB 95–11
Electronic Bibliography on Compost from WQIC
Compost Nutrients
January 1992 – September 1995
79 citations from AGRICOLA
www.nal.usda.gov/wqic/Bibliographies/eb9503.html
Also see:
Water Quality Information Center Bibliographies
www.nal.usda.gov/wqic/biblios.html
- Beef Manure Management
- Dairy Farm Manure Management (I)
- Dairy Farm Manure Management (II)
- Manure Management, Readings on Manure Storage
- Poultry Manure Management
- Swine Manure Management (I)
- Swine Manure Management (II)
CRIS (Current Research Information System)
http://cris.csrees.usda.gov
The CRIS (Current Research Information System) database is USDA's electronic documentation and reporting system for on-going agricultural, food and nutrition, and forestry research. The CRIS database contains more than 30,000 descriptions of current, publicly supported research projects of the USDA research agencies, agricultural experiment stations, and land-grant universities.
A database search can provide a quick glimpse of current research topics, researchers, organizations, progress, and citations to publications and articles generated to date.
On-Farm Composting: A Review of the Literature
Alberta Agriculture Food and Rural Development
www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/all/sag2150?opendocument
The staff at Alberta Agriculture, Food and Rural Development (AAFRD) have assembled a database of references to scientific literature, government documents, and Web sites on the economic, environmental, and technical aspects of on-farm composting. The database contains more than 500 references to date, arranged into topics such as animal mortality, the composting process, plant disease control, vermicomposting, etc.
P2 Infohouse Search: Waste Reduction Resource Center
http://wrrc.p2pays.org/SearchRLIBY.asp
The Pollution Prevention (P2) Library, compiled by the Waste Reduction Resource Center for EPA Regions III and IV, is a collection of 30,000 on-line documents related to pollution prevention. The collection includes manuals, articles, fact sheets, case studies, technical reports, and videos. The P2 Library contains more than 1,000 documents on compost.
Florida Organics Recycling Center for Excellence: Organics Bibliography
www.floridaforce.org/articles.cfm
FORCE, Florida Organics Recycling Center for Excellence, maintains the Organics Bibliography with several hundred bibliographical citations on compost, vermicompost, food waste, yard waste, agricultural uses, etc.
rolibrary.com
www.rolibrary.com
rolibrary.com, coordinated by the Recycled Organics Unit at The University of New South Wales, Australia , is a searchable on-line catalogue of information resources on the recovery, management, and end uses for compostable organic materials.
Research Databases and Search Engines
AgWeb: The Ultimate Agricultural Research Directory
www.attra.org/searchAgWeb.html
AgWeb is an ATTRA directory that identifies Web research tools, directories, databases, and search engines. It points to practical and scientific literature, with special attention to sustainable and organic agricultural topics.
Scirus—Scientific Search Engine
www.scirus.com
Scirus is the powerful science information search engine from Elsevier. Users can search on Journals only, Web only, or select a combined search. Journal citations are provided through ScienceDirect. Note: Access to some full-text journal articles requires a subscription; check with your local college library.
AGRICOLA—Article Citation Database
http://agricola.nal.usda.gov
AGRICOLA is the bibliographical database to agricultural literature created by the National Agricultural Library. This is the free, online version.
Ingenta
www.ingenta.com
Ingenta, formerly known as Uncover Database, is a powerful gateway to academic journal articles and books. It searches the table of contents of 18,000 journals, providing citations and abstracts.
Ingenta Select
www.ingentaselect.com
Ingenta Select is geared to electronic documents only. Note: Access to some full-text journal articles requires a subscription; check with your local college library.
Organic Eprints
http://orgprints.org
Hosted by the Danish Research Centre for Organic Farming, Organic Eprints is an international open source archive for papers related to research in organic agriculture. The abstract displays data fields explaining the content and background for each document, and each document is stored on the site for quick download access.
Organic AgInfo
www.organicaginfo.org
Organic AgInfo provides quick access to key on-line documents in organic agriculture, accessible through topic headings and sub-headings.
Google Scholar
http://scholar.google.com
Google Scholar, launched in November 2004, is a new tool connected to the powerful Google search engine that enables you to search for scholarly literature on the Web, including journal articles, theses, books, abstracts, and technical reports.
Omega
Utrecht University
http://omega.library.uu.nl
Omega is the powerful scientific search engine developed by Utrecht University Library in The Netherlands. It provides access to almost 10 million full-text articles from several thousand electronic journals.
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Composting Resources
EPA—Environmental Protection Agency
EPA Solid Waste Management: Composting Resources
www.epa.gov/compost/
Innovative Uses of Compost: Disease Control For Plants and Animals
www.epa.gov/epaoswer/non-hw/compost/disease.pdf
Innovative Uses of Compost: Erosion Control, Turf Remediation, and Landscaping
www.epa.gov/epaoswer/non-hw/compost/erosion.pdf
Innovative Uses of Compost: Reforestation, Wetlands Restoration, and Habitat Revitalization
www.epa.gov/epaoswer/non-hw/compost/reforest.txt
Compost Use on State Highway Applications
www.epa.gov/epaoswer/non-hw/compost/highway/index.htm
Composting, Yard Trimmings, and Municipal Solid Waste
www.epa.gov/epaoswer/non-hw/reduce/catbook/tip10.htm
EPA Databases and Search Engines
EPA NEPIS—National Environmental Publications Information System
http://nepis.epa.gov/
NEPIS provides on-line access to more than 10,000 full-text documents from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This is a powerful database providing access to important EPA documents on composting, yard wastes, bioremediation, livestock manures, regulations, and related topics. It can be used to find EPA titles and document numbers. It can display full-text documents in the original page view or in text view.
EPA NSCEP—National Service Center for Environmental Publications
www.epa.gov/ncepihom/
NSCEP maintains and distributes more than 7,000 EPA publications in hardcopy, CD ROM and other multi-media formats. Use "Search the Catalog" to search by keyword, or enter the EPA Publication Number.
OLS: Search EPA National Catalog
www.epa.gov/natlibra/ols.htm
OLS is the Online Library System for the library network of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. It searches multiple databases to locate books, reports, and audiovisual materials on a variety of topics. The National Catalog, the most popular database on OLS, contains the holdings (books, documents, and magazine titles) for most of the 28 EPA regional libraries and laboratories, as well as EPA documents in the National Technical Information Service (NTIS). This is a bibliographic database to citations and Web links with two display options.
Selected EPA Titles
- Markets for Compost, EPA 530SW90073A
- Engineering Bulletin: Composting, EPA 540S96502
- Yard Waste Composting: A Study of 8 Programs, EPA 530SW89038
- Analysis of Composting as an Environmental Remediation Technology, EPA 530R98008
- In-Depth Studies of Recycling and Composting Programs: Designs, Costs, Results, Volume: Rural Communities, EPA 530X93006A
CIWMB—California Integrated Waste Management Board
CIWMB has one of the most dynamic state-sponsored programs for composting of agricultural and municipal yard wastes. The CIWMB demonstration and research reports on compost use in crop production and soil management are excellent.
CIWMB Organics: Compost, Mulches, Yard Waste
www.ciwmb.ca.gov/publications/default.asp?cat=2
CIWMB publications are available as downloads in MS-Word (DOC) and Adobe Acrobat (PDF). These range in length from 2– to 4–page leaflets to 70-page research reports and educational manuals.
Selected Publications:
- Compost Microbiology and the Soil Food Web
- The Importance of Compost Maturity
- Compost: Matching Performance Needs With Product Characteristics
- Composting Reduces Growers' Concerns about Pathogens
- Compost Maturity and Nitrogen Release Characteristics in Central Coast Vegetable Production
- Compost Market Development: A Literature Review
- Composting Facilities
- Compost Use in Nurseries
- Compost Use in Orchards
- Compost Use on Cotton and Corn— Tulare County
- Compost Use on Peaches— Fresno County
- Compost Use on Vegetables and Nursery Plants— Stanislaus County
- Compost Use on Vegetables— Monterey Bay Region
- Maximizing Benefit and Utilization of Compost in Vegetable Production
- Vineyards Benefit From Compost and Mulch
- Compost Field Experiment Guide for California Communities
- Northern California Compost Demonstrations
- Resource Conservation District Projects Using Mulch and Compost From Cities
- Results of Northern California Compost Demonstrations
- Southern California Mulch and Compost Demonstrations Expanded
- Compost Demonstration Project on Use of Yard Trimmings Products: Agriculture in Partnership with San Jose
- Compost Demonstration Project, Fresno County: A Comparative Analysis of Soil Amendments Used in Peach Production
- Compost Demonstration Project, Monterey Bay Region: Demonstrating New Opportunities for Growers
- Compost Demonstration Project, Stanislaus County: Green Material Compost Use on Ornamental Nursery Plants and Field Crops
- Compost Demonstration Project, Tulare County: Green Material Compost in Field Crop Production
- Known Worm Box Suppliers in California
- Known Worm Suppliers in California
- The Worm Guide: A Vermicomposting Guide for Teachers
- Worms and Waste Management in California
ATTRA—National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service
Biodynamic Farming and Compost Preparation
www.attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/biodynamic.html
Notes on Compost Teas
www.attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/compost-tea-notes.html
Worms for Composting (Vermicompost)
www.attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/vermicom.html
Sustainable Soil Management
www.attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/soilmgmt.html
Sustainable Management of Soil-Borne Diseases
www.attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/soilborne.html
Overview of Cover Crops and Green Manures
www.attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/covercrop.html
Manures for Organic Crop Production
www.attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/manures.html
Nutrient Cycling in Pastures
www.attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/nutrientcycling.html
Alternative Soil Testing Laboratories
www.attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/soil-lab.html
Alternative Soil Amendments
www.attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/altsoilamend.html
Sources of Organic Fertilizers and Amendments
www.attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/orgfert.html
Potting Mixes for Certified Organic Production
www.attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/potmix.html
Drought Resistant Soils
www.attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/drought.html
Foliar Fertilization
www.attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/foliar.html
Alternative Nematode Control
www.attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/nematode.html
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NOP Practice Standard for Use of Compost in Certified Organic Production
To avoid potential contamination of edible food crops with E. coli and related human pathogens, raw animal manures are restricted to land application 90 to 120 days before harvest (depending on the crop) in the National Organic Program (NOP) guidelines established by USDA, Section 205.203. Composting of animal manures is an alternative. Since thermophilic composting destroys pathogenic organisms, the NOP guidelines emphasize time and temperature requirements as “processes to further reduce pathogens,” or PFRPs.
The National Organic Program Regulatory Text
USDA-AMS
www.ams.usda.gov/nop/NOP/standards/FullRegTextOnly.html
§ 205.203 Soil fertility and crop nutrient management practice standard
(c) The producer must manage plant and animal materials to maintain or improve soil organic matter content in a manner that does not contribute to contamination of crops, soil, or water by plant nutrients, pathogenic organisms, heavy metals, or residues of prohibited substances. Animal and plant materials include:
(1) Raw animal manure, which must be composted unless it is:
(2) Composted plant and animal materials produced though a process that
(i) established an initial C:N ratio of between 25:1 and 40:1; and
(ii) maintained a temperature of between 131° F and 170° F for 3 days using an in-vessel or static aerated pile system; or
(iii) maintained a temperature of between 131° F and 170° F for 15 days using a windrow composting system, during which period, the materials must be turned a minimum of five times.
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NOSB Task Force Reports on Compost and Compost Teas
Many organic farmers felt that the USDA-NOP regulations on composts and compost teas were too restrictive and unclear. To provide further guidance on these issues, the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) appointed two different task forces to develop reports and recommendations. These documents are located on the following unique Web pages at USDA-AMS.
NOSB Compost Task Force—Final Report
www.ams.usda.gov/nosb/FinalRecommendations/May02/CompostTaskForce.pdf
NOSB Compost Task Force Recommendation
April 18, 2002
www.ams.usda.gov/nosb/NOSBrecommendations/Compost.pdf
NOSB Compost Tea Task Force Report
April 6, 2004
www.ams.usda.gov/nosb/meetings/CompostTeaTaskForceFinalReport.pdf
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Web Resources
Composting Science, Systems, and Calculations
The Science and Engineering of Composting
Cornell Waste Management Institute
http://compost.css.cornell.edu/science.html
Formulating an Organic Compost Recipe
North Carolina State University
www.bae.ncsu.edu/programs/extension/publicat/wqwm/ebae173_93.html
Manure Composting Calculator
Alberta Agriculture Food and Rural Development
www.agric.gov.ab.ca/app19/calc/manure/manure.jsp
Composting Science for Industry
Recycled Organics Unit, University of New South Wales (Australia)
www.recycledorganics.com/processing/composting/science/science.htm
Composting Reduces Growers' Concerns about Pathogens
CIWMB—California Integrated Waste Management Board
www.ciwmb.ca.gov/Publications/default.asp?pubid=858
A Review of the Literature on Eradication of Plant Pathogens and Nematodes During Composting, Disease Suppression and Detection of Plant Pathogens in Compost
The Waste and Resources Action Programme (UK)
www.wrap.org.uk/templates/temp_publication.rm?id=698&publication=250
www.wrap.org.uk/document.rm?id=250 [PDF]
A Review of the Literature on the Occurrence and Survival of Pathogens of Animals and Humans in Green Compost
The Waste and Resources Action Programme (UK)
www.wrap.org.uk/templates/temp_publication.rm?id=698&publication=360
www.wrap.org.uk/document.rm?id=360 [PDF]
Investigation of the Effect of the Composting Process on Particular Plant, Animal and Human Pathogens Known to be of Concern for High Quality End-Uses
The Waste & Resources Action Programme (UK)
www.wrap.org.uk/templates/temp_publication.rm?id=698&publication=567
www.wrap.org.uk/document.rm?id=567 [PDF]
On-Farm Composting
The Science and Engineering of Composting
Cornell Waste Management Institute
http://compost.css.cornell.edu/science.html
On-Farm Composting Handbook
Selections from NRAES-54 Handbook
http://compost.css.cornell.edu/OnFarmHandbook/onfarm_TOC.html
Agricultural Composting: A Feasibility Study for New York Farms
Cornell Waste Management Institute
http://compost.css.cornell.edu/feas.study.html
On-Farm Composting Methods
FAO, Land and Water Discussion Paper
www.fao.org/docrep/007/y5104e/y5104e00.htm
On-Farm Composting Series
Peter Moon, Price-Moon Enterprises, Snohomish, Washington
http://snohomish.wsu.edu/ag/compst.htm
Composting on the Organic Farm
K.R. Baldwin and J.T.Greenfield, NCSU
www.organicaginfo.org/upload/compost.pdf
Large-Scale Organic Materials Composting
North Carolina State University
www.bae.ncsu.edu/topic/vermicomposting/pubs/ag593.pdf
Compost—The Microbial Way
Soil Association UK
www.soilassociation.org/web/sa/saweb.nsf/Library?OpenForm&Cat=_Soil_and_Compost
On-Farm Composting—A Guide to Principles, Planning & Operations
Virginia Cooperative Extension
www.ext.vt.edu/pubs/compost/452-232/452-232.pdf
On-Farm Composting
PennState Cooperative Extension
www.age.psu.edu/extension/factsheets/c/C3.pdf
On-Farm Composting—Northern Victoria (Australia)
www.ecorecycle.vic.gov.au/asset/1/upload/On_Farm_Composting_Best_
Practice_Report_Pinegro_(2000).pdf
Getting into the Large-Scale Composting Business
South Carolina Technical Assistance Guide, Sheet 1
Office of Solid Waste Reduction and Recycling
www.carolinascompostingcouncil.org/CCC/techcornerindex/techcornerarticles/
SC%20large%20scale%20biz.pdf
Getting into the Large-Scale Composting Business: Day-to-Day Operations
South Carolina Technical Assistance Guide, Sheet 2
Office of Solid Waste Reduction and Recycling
www.carolinascompostingcouncil.org/CCC/techcornerindex/techcornerarticles/
SC%20large%20scale.pdf
Information Sheet: On-Farm Composting
Recycled Organics Unit, University of New South Wales (Australia)
www.recycledorganics.com/infosheets/onfarm-composting-is.pdf
Composting Horse Manure
Texas Cooperative Extension
http://tcebookstore.org/pubinfo.cfm?pubid=1091
On-Farm Composting of Fishery By-Products
Prince Edward Island Department of Agriculture and Forestry
www.gov.pe.ca/photos/original/af_fact_fish.pdf
Composting Manuals: On-Farm, Yard Waste, Food Waste, Vermicompost
Art and Science of Composting: A Resource for Farmers and Compost Producers
Leslie Cooperband, University of Wisconsin
www.cias.wisc.edu/pdf/artofcompost.pdf
Basic On-Farm Composting Manual
The Clean Washington Center
www.cwc.org/organics/organic_htms/cm973rpt.htm
Midscale Composting Manual
Alberta Environment, Olds College
www3.gov.ab.ca/env/waste/aow/factsheets/Other/MidscaleCompostingManualDec99.pdf
Leaf and Yard Waste Composting Manual
Olds College, Alberta, Canada
www3.gov.ab.ca/env/waste/aow/factsheets/Other/LeafandYardWasteCompostingManualDec99.pdf
Manure Composting Manual
Alberta Agriculture Food and Rural Development
www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/all/agdex8875?opendocument
Manual of On-Farm Vermicomposting and Vermiculture
Organic Agriculture Centre of Canada
www.oacc.info/DOCs/Vermiculture_FarmersManual_gm.pdf
The Virginia Yard Waste Management Manual
Virginia Cooperative Extension, Publication 452-055
www.ext.vt.edu/pubs/compost/452-055/452-055.pdf
New Jersey's Manual on Composting Leaves & Management of Other Yard Trimmings
Department of Environmental Sciences, Rutgers University
www.nj.gov/dep/dshw/rrtp/compost/cptitle.htm
NRCS National Engineering Handbook, Chapter 2: "Composting"
www.info.usda.gov/CED/ftp/CED/neh637-ch02.pdf
Composting Livestock Mortality
Composting Animal Mortalities
Minnesota Department of Agriculture
www.mda.state.mn.us/composting/compostguide.pdf
Lesson 51: Mortality Management, Part 3: Composting
Livestock and Poultry Federation Stewardship (LPES) Curriculum
www.lpes.org/Lessons/Lesson51/51_3_Composting.pdf
Formulating a Mortality Compost Recipe
North Carolina State University
www.bae.ncsu.edu/programs/extension/publicat/wqwm/ebae174_93.html
Composting Dead Poultry
Virginia Cooperative Extension
www.ext.vt.edu/pubs/poultry/442-037/442-037.html
Composting for Mortality Disposal on Hog Farms
Virginia Cooperative Extension
www.ext.vt.edu/pubs/swine/414-020/414-020.html
Hog Mortality Composting
Colorado Governor's Office of Energy Management and Conservation
www.state.co.us/oemc/programs/agriculture/animal_mortality/hog_mortality_composting_manual.pdf
Dead Bird Composting
NRCS Animal Waste Management
ftp://ftp.wcc.nrcs.usda.gov/downloads/wastemgmt/dbreprt.pdf
Development of a Composting Recipe for Swine
NRCS Animal Waste Management
www.wsi.nrcs.usda.gov/products/W2Q/AWM/docs/swine.pdf
A Low Maintenance Approach to Large Carcass Composting
American Society of Agricultural Engineers Paper
http://tammi.tamu.edu/carcasscompostasae032263b.pdf
Poultry Mortality Composting
Alberta Agriculture, Food and Rural Development
www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/all/agdex6117?opendocument
Swine Mortality Composting
Alberta Agriculture, Food and Rural Development
www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/all/agdex6118
Composting Food Wastes
Food Waste Composting: Institutional and Industrial Applications
University of Georgia
http://pubs.caes.uga.edu/caespubs/pubcd/B1189.htm
Building a Market-based System of Farm Composting of Commercial Food Waste
Center for Ecological Technology (CET), Northampton, MA
www.cetonline.org/Publications/Farm%20Compost%20Report.pdf
Food Waste Diversion at Correctional Facilities—Composting Technologies and Costs
NC Division of Pollution Prevention and Environmental Assistance
www.p2pays.org/ref/02/01624.htm
On-Site Composting Options: Contained Composting Systems Review, Part I
BioCycle, March 2000
www.jgpress.com/BCArticles/2000/030030.html
In-Vessel Compost Technologies
CIWMB Food Scrap Management
www.ciwmb.ca.gov/FoodWaste/Compost/InVessel.htm
In-vessel Composting of Institutional Food Service Waste
Don Cawthon, Texas A&M University-Commerce
www7.tamu-commerce.edu/agscience/dlc.html
Food Organics Processing Options for NSW
Recycled Organics Unit, University of New South Wales (Australia)
www.recycledorganics.com/publications/reports/foodorganicsreview/foodorganics.htm
Compost Use in Agriculture and Horticulture
Compost Use Guidelines and Specifications
Cornell Waste Management Institute (CWMI)
http://compost.css.cornell.edu/market-label/guidelines/home.htm
Field Guide for Compost Use
U.S. Compost Council
www.compostingcouncil.org/article.cfm?id=64
Landscape Architecture Compost Use Specifications
U.S. Compost Council
www.compostingcouncil.org/pdf/LASpecs_MOEA211.pdf
The Use of Recycled Organics Compost in Viticulture—A Review of the International Literature and Experience
Environment Australia, Sustainable Industries Branch, Cranberra (Australia)
www.recycledorganics.com/rolibrary/resources/5_product/5_03_24.pdf
The Benefits of Using Compost for Scottish Crops
Remade Scotland
www.remade.org.uk/Organics/organics_documents/compostbenefitsscottishcrops.pdf
FAQ on the Use of Compost in Agriculture
Remade Scotland
www.remade.org.uk/Organics/organics_documents/2EdFAQAgri.pdf
FAQ on the Use of Compost in Landscaping
Remade Scotland
www.remade.org.uk/Organics/organics_documents/2EdFAQLand.pdf
Compost Use in Wetland Restoration
The Clean Washington Center
www.cwc.org/organics/org962rpt.pdf
Guidelines for Landscaping with Compost-Amended Soils
Public Works, City of Redmond, WA
www.ci.redmond.wa.us/insidecityhall/publicworks/environment/pdfs/compostamendedsoils.pdf
Compost: Soil Amendment for Establishment of Turf and Landscape
William Darlington, Soil and Plant Laboratory, Inc., Orange, CA
www.soilandplantlaboratory.com/articles2.html
Using Organic Matter to Improve Sports Fields
Texas Cooperative Extension
http://compost.tamu.edu/docs/pubs/SportsFields.pdf
Using Compost for Erosion Control and Revegetation
Texas Cooperative Extension
http://compost.tamu.edu/docs/pubs/ErosionControlRevegetation.pdf
Using Compost in the Urban Environment
Texas Cooperative Extension
http://compost.tamu.edu/docs/pubs/UrbanEnvironment.pdf
Selecting Soil Organic Amendments for Landscapes
University of Maryland
www.compostingcouncil.org/pdf/ORGANIC_SOIL_AMENDMENTS.pdf
Recycled Organics Products in Intensive Agriculture: Introduction, Viticulture, Fruit and Orchard Production
Recycled Organics Unit, University of New South Wales (Australia)
www.recycledorganics.com/product/agriculture/agreview.htm
Using Compost in Agriculture and Field Horticulture: Arable, Grassland, Vegetables, Fruit
The Waste & Resources Action Programme (UK)
www.wrap.org.uk/downloads/AgCFS1Arable.00a8726c.pdf
Using Composts to Improve Turf Performance
The Pennsylvania State University
http://turfgrassmanagement.psu.edu/composts.cfm
Compost Quality, Compost Analysis, Compost Standards
What Does Compost Analysis Tell You About Your Compost?
Washington State University–Puyallup and Oregon State University
www.puyallup.wsu.edu/soilmgmt/Abstracts&Pubs/Poster-CompostAnalysis.pdf
How Agricultural End-users Can Assess Compost Quality
Jean VanderGheynst, University of California–Davis
http://esce.ucr.edu/WASTEMAN/CMJEAN~1.htm
Compost—A Guide for Evaluating and Using Compost Materials as Soil Amendments
William Darlington, Soil and Plant Laboratories, Inc.
www.soilandplantlaboratory.com/pdf/articles/CompostAGuideForUsing.pdf
Compost Maturity Tests
Florida's On-Line Composting Center
http://compost.ifas.ufl.edu/tutorial/MaturityTests.htm
Compost Quality: Performance Requirements
CIWMB—California Integrated Waste Management Board
www.ciwmb.ca.gov/Organics/Products/Quality/Needs.htm
Compost: Matching Performance Needs With Product Characteristics
CIWMB—California Integrated Waste Management Board
www.ciwmb.ca.gov/Publications/default.asp?pubid=807
Compost Quality Standards
CIWMB—California Integrated Waste Management Board
www.ciwmb.ca.gov/Organics/Products/Quality/CQStandards.htm
Testing Compost
Ohio State University
http://ohioline.osu.edu/anr-fact/0015.html
Producing Quality Compost
Recycled Organics Unit, University of New South Wales (Australia)
www.recycledorganics.com/processing/composting/pqc/pqc.htm
Determination of Compost Biomaturity. Part I. Literature Review
Biological Agriculture and Horticulture, 1993, Vol. 10.
www.bahjournal.btinternet.co.uk/classic.htm
Compost Quality Standards & Guidelines: An International View
William Brinton, Woods End Research Laboratory
www.woodsend.org/pdf-files/nysar-ne.pdf
Setting the Standard: A Summary of Compost Standards in Canada
The Composting Council of Canada
www.compost.org/standard.html
Test Methods for the Examination of Composting and Compost—TMECC
The U.S. Compost Council Research and Education Foundation
http://tmecc.org/tmecc/index.html
To Support the Development of Standards for Compost by Investigating the Benefits and Efficacy of Compost Use in Different Applications, A Literature Review
The Waste & Resources Action Programme (UK)
www.wrap.org.uk/templates/temp_publication.rm?id=698&publication=396
www.wrap.org.uk/document.rm?id=396 [PDF]
Assessment of Options and Requirements for Stability and Maturity Testing of Composts WRAP Research Report
The Waste & Resources Action Programme (UK)
www.wrap.org.uk/templates/temp_publication.rm?id=698&publication=1528
www.wrap.org.uk/document.rm?id=1528 [PDF]
Compost Biology and Soil Organic Matter
Building Soil Organic Matter with Organic Amendments
Leslie Cooperband, Univesity of Wisconsin
www.cias.wisc.edu/pdf/soilorgmtr.pdf
Compost Microbiology and the Soil Food Web
CIWMB—California Integrated Waste Management Board
www.ciwmb.ca.gov/Publications/default.asp?pubid=857
USDA-NRCS Documents on Compost and Soil Health
Chapter 2: Composting
NRCS National Engineering Handbook, Part 637
ftp://ftp.wcc.nrcs.usda.gov/downloads/wastemgmt/neh637c2.pdf
Agricultural Waste Management Field Handbook, Chapters 1-11
National Engineering Handbook, Part 651
http://www.info.usda.gov/CED/ftp/CED/neh651-ch1-11.pdf
Chapter 9: Agricultural Waste Management Systems
Chapter 11: Waste Utilization
Composting Facility—Practice Introduction No. 317
NRCS National Conservation Practice Standards
ftp://ftp-fc.sc.egov.usda.gov/NHQ/practice-standards/cppe/examples/317info.pdf
Composting Facility—Practice Standard No. 317
NRCS National Conservation Practice Standards
ftp://ftp-fc.sc.egov.usda.gov/NHQ/practice-standards/standards/317.pdf
Use of Compost as an Erosion Control Technique
NRCS National Water Quality Management Center
http://wmc.ar.nrcs.usda.gov/technical/WQ/erosiontechnique.html
Composted Manure Used Along Roadways Controls Erosion
NRCS National Water Quality Management Center
http://wmc.ar.nrcs.usda.gov/technical/WQ/compostedmanure.html
Predicting Nitrogen Mineralization from Livestock Manure
ftp://ftp-fc.sc.egov.usda.gov/NWMC/1_johns.pdf
Soil Biology Primer
NRCS Soil Quality Institute
http://soils.usda.gov/sqi/soil_quality/soil_biology/soil_biology_primer.html
Soil Biology and Land Management
NRCS Soil Quality Institute
http://soils.usda.gov/sqi/soil_quality/soil_biology/index.html
Soil Quality Information Sheets
NRCS Soil Quality Institute
http://soils.usda.gov/sqi/soil_quality/what_is/sqiinfo.html
Soil Quality Thunderbook
NRCS Soil Quality Institute
http://soils.usda.gov/sqi/soil_quality/what_is/thunderbook.html
Dead Bird Composting
NRCS Animal Waste Management
ftp://ftp.wcc.nrcs.usda.gov/downloads/wastemgmt/dbreprt.pdf
Development of a Composting Recipe for Swine
NRCS Animal Waste Management
ftp://ftp.wcc.nrcs.usda.gov/downloads/wastemgmt/swine.pdf
PowerPoint Slides on Compost and Soil Health
Managing Organic Wastes by Composting and Vermicomposting
NC Division of Pollution Prevention and Environmental Assistance
www.p2pays.org/ref/04/03036.htm
Food Waste Diversion at Correctional Facilities—Composting Technologies and Costs
NC Division of Pollution Prevention and Environmental Assistance
www.p2pays.org/ref/02/01624.htm
Commercial Vermicomposting Systems
NC Division of Pollution Prevention and Environmental Assistance
www.p2pays.org/ref/12/11443.htm
Mortality Composting
Biological & Agricultural Engineering, University of Idaho
http://courses.ag.uidaho.edu/bae/bae404/Class%20Lectures/09%20Composting%20-%20Mortality%20Composting.pdf
In-Vessel Composting of Dairy Cattle Solid Waste
Don Cawthon, Texas A&M University–Commerce
www7.tamu-commerce.edu/agscience/dlc.html#compost
Compost Proceedings
Composting in the Carolinas—Proceedings of the 1996 Conference
October 23-25, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
www.p2pays.org/ref/12/11501/
Composting in the Southeast: Proceedings of the 1998 Conference
September 9-11, Athens, Georgia
www.p2pays.org/ref/12/11583.htm
Y2K Composting in the Southeast: Proceedings of the 2000 Conference
October 9-11, Charlottesville, Virginia
www.p2pays.org/ref/11/10158.htm
Composting in the Southeast—Recycle Organics '02
October 6-9, Palm Harbor, Florida
http://conference.ifas.ufl.edu/compost/
Vermicompost Resources
Manual of On-Farm Vermicomposting and Vermiculture
Organic Agriculture Centre of Canada
www.oacc.info/DOCs/Vermiculture_FarmersManual_gm.pdf
Vermicomposting Resources
Rhonda Sherman, NCSU
www.bae.ncsu.edu/topic/vermicomposting/vermiculture/
Snapshots of Selected Large-Scale Vermicomposting Operations
Rhonda Sherman, NCSU
www.bae.ncsu.edu/topic/vermicomposting/vermiculture/snapshot.html
Raising Earthworms Successfully
Rhonda Sherman, NCSU
www.bae.ncsu.edu/topic/vermicomposting/pubs/earthworms.pdf
Best Practice Guideline to Managing On-site Vermiculture Technologies
Recycled Organics Unit, University of New South Wales (Australia)
www.recycledorganics.com/publications/reports/vermiculturebpg/vbpg.htm
Literature Review of Worms in Waste Management, Vols. 1 and 2
Recycled Organics Unit, University of New South Wales (Australia)
www.recycledorganics.com/publications/reports/vermlitreview/vermlitreview.htm
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USDA-Beltsville Method of Lime-Stabilized Soil to Construct a Compost Pad
A leaflet on lime-stabilized soil for use as a compost pad, from the USDA Animal Manure & By-Products Laboratory, is on the Web in two locations in HTML and PDF.
Making Lime-Stabilized Soil for Use as a Compost Pad
Lawrence J. Sikora (USDA-ARS, Beltsville, MD) and Harry Francis (Consultant, Arlington, VA)
www.anri.barc.usda.gov/ambl/Sikora_pages/Lime_Stab.htm
By Steve Diver
NCAT Agriculture Specialist
Copyright © 2005 National Center for Appropriate Technology
IP026
Slot 128
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