All posts in Compost
Spreadwing Farm: Compost on a Diversified Small Farm
Spreadwing Farm, located in the Capay Valley, utilizes compost in their vegetable crops to improve the quality of the soil and provide plant available nutrients. Learn more about the benefits, tradeoffs, and challenges Liz Schroeder of Spreadwing Farm has seen
On Farm Composting Video
This video explores on-farm composting, including a brief overview of California’s new best management practices mandate for on-farm composting as well as the food safety and organic requirements. Hear from two different farmers, including a on-site video of the Frog
State Water Resources Control Board Limits Regulation of On-Farm Composting
(Updated 4/15/20) The State Water Resources Control Board’s Compost General Order that passed in 2015 presented a regulatory obstacle for on-farm composting, despite the state’s efforts to reduce waste and provide for more ecological farming practices. The Order limited farmers
California Okays On-Farm Compost, Key to Sustainable Agriculture
Sacramento, CA – After more than five years of negotiations, the State Water Resources Control Board issued a historic decision to allow for much-needed composting on California farms. “Farmers can now compost more, build healthy soils, and reduce and mitigate
Technical Assistance for the Healthy Soils Program
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE FOR THE HEALTHY SOILS PROGRAM Are you interested in implementing cover crops, compost, hedgerows and other Healthy Soils practices on you farm? The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) is offering 3 year grants to farmers to
Compost: What Does the Research Say?
Composting plant materials and manure offers a practical way to recycle crop residue and animal waste. The process of decomposition of these materials is sped up to provide a nutrient rich soil conditioner that provides a host of agroecosystem
How to Add Compost on Your Small Farm
Compost provides nutrients to plants, improves soil structure, increases water holding capacity, and suppresses root diseases by supporting benefi cial microorganisms in the soil. It also helps improve porosity and the friability or ability to work the soil. It also
Building Soils for Better Crops
Building Soils for Better Crops is a one-of-a-kind, practical guide to ecological soil management, now expanded and in full color. It provides step-by-step information on soil-improving practices as well as in-depth background—from what soil is to the importance of organic matter.
Compost Use in Agriculture: Organic Materials Management
Use of composted manures and plant materials in farming has a history almost as long as farming itself. California farmers enjoy access to high-quality compost and mulch products from a variety of feedstocks virtually everywhere in the state. California compost facilities permitted
Compost Science Webinar
Originally aired March 8, 2017 | Composting is both an art and a science. For some, composting is a passion and an emotional experience, but often when we start thinking emotionally we stop thinking rationally. Rick Carr, Compost Production Specialist
Agricultural Composting & Water Quality
Composting, a controlled process for stabilization of organic matter, can turn waste into a valuable soil amendment. Creating compost from waste materials provides an opportunity to return nutrients and organic matter to the soil, a proven practice for soil quality