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Composting • Organic Farming • Renewable Energy • Greenbuilding |
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Composting is the process by which organic residues are decomposed (under controlled conditions) to a humus-like material that is an excellent soil amendment. The benefits of composting are many including: reduction of material in the "waste" stream, reduced reliance on synthetic chemical inputs in the farm and garden landscape, and increased productivity in the farm and garden systems. The Macoskey Center has a variety of working compost initiatives that serve not only as educational models of the composting process, but also function to serve the Market Garden project at the Macoskey Center. Click below to learn more about some of the different systems we manage: Windrow composting site - A municipal-scale site, operated in partnership with the Borough of Slippery Rock Composting toilet system - An in-house permitted system, in operation since 1990 Vermicomposting - Composting with worms
To learn more about composting, including how to manage your own backyard compost pile see our publication: "Composting - A Beginner's Guide" - Get a FREE booklet on Composting Municipal-scale windrow composting site
Windrow composting systems were developed to handle the decomposition of large amounts of material in a centralized location. Material to be composted is placed in a long pile approximately 5 feet wide. Typically, mechanical aeration and the addition of water are used to speed the decomposition process. This type of system is a far more material- and labor-intensive process than maintaining a home composting system, but our windrows provide enough compost to supply the Center's organic market garden and orchards as well as a host of other agricultural initiatives sponsored by the University.
Like traditional composting methods, composting toilets rely on biological decomposition to convert humanure into a safe and stabilized soil amendment. Unlike a conventional flush toilet, a composting toilet uses no water to evacuate wastes. Material is collected in a composting chamber where it is decomposed into water vapor, carbon dioxide, and a small volume of compost that is rich in nutrients and organic matter. The Center has a Clivus Multrum composting toilet that has been in operation since 1990. Humanure collects in a composting chamber located in the basement and a small amount of carbon-rich material such as wood shavings or sawdust is added after each use. The finished compost has a bacterial content, texture, and color similar to that of topsoil and is used to fertilize ornamental plantings, trees, and other non-food related agricultural endeavors. A ventilation fan provides constant aeration of the pile and creates a negative pressure in the bathroom and basement, ensuring any odors are eliminated. Maintenance of the system includes monthly raking of the pile, and periodic removal of finished compost (every 6 months to a year.) The heavy use of the this system translates to a savings of roughly 30,000 gallons of potable water per year. Because the Center uses a ground source well as its primary water supply, energy savings from avoided pumping costs are also realized.
Vermicomposting is different than traditional composting in that the pile is managed for conditions that are favorable to worms. Most experts recommend using redworms (Eisenia foetida) in vermicomposting systems because they can transform up to half their body weight of organic material into valuable worm castings each day under optimal conditions. Major benefits of vermicomposting include: increased speed of composting, greater nutrient availability of castings and limited space requirements. Commercial worm bins do exist but many build-it-yourself designs are available both in books and internet sites. Food scraps are placed on the top layer of the bin, after which a small layer of bedding should be added. Redworms naturally move upward through the layers in the direction of newly added material creating harvestable compost on the bottom of the bin. It is important not to add too much food at a time - the high temperatures created by nitrogen-rich sources can kill the worms in your bin. The Center employs a commercially available continuous vertical flow vermicomposting system (Eliminator 300, similar products available from Happy D Ranch, www.happydranch.com, (559) 738-9301). Kitchen scraps are added in layers with shredded newspaper roughly twice per week. Periodically, finished compost is removed from the bottom layer of the system. This particular bin has a window which allows observation of the composting process - the change in the soil profile as the worms process material is clearly visible! A Final Note: It is advised that anyone considering beginning a vermicomposting system should pursue additional information. We recommend "Worms Eat My Garbage" by Mary Appelhof as an excellent starting point! Composting - A Beginner's Guide Get your copy of this publication by the Macoskey Center about the art and science of composting. This 25 page color booklet includes an explanation of the composting process, instructions on how to manage your own home compost pile, and descriptions of the variety of composting systems employed at the Macoskey Center. This publication was made possible by a grant from PA DEP as administered through the Butler County Office of Recycling and Waste Management. Click Here for the Online Version of this booklet. pdf (332 KB) You must have Adobe Acrobat Reader to view this document
You can also get a really nice printed version of this publication if you: Stop by the Macoskey Center between 9am - 4:30pm Monday-Friday and get one FREE! or Send your address and $1.50 (check or money order) for postage and handling to: The Macoskey Center Composting Booklet Attn: Thomas Reynolds 247 Harmony Road Slippery Rock, PA 16057 Please allow 4-6 weeks for delivery.
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The Robert A. Macoskey Center at Slippery Rock University 247 Harmony Road • Slippery Rock, PA • 16057 • (724) 738 - 4050 • macoskey.center@sru.edu |
What is composting?
Located up the hill
from Harmony House, near the Equestrian Center barn.
The
Macoskey Center established a windrow system through a grant from the
Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, which formed a
partnership between the borough of Slippery Rock and Slippery Rock
University. The grant allowed for the purchase of a trailer-mounted leaf
vacuum, which is used to collect leaves from borough residents every fall.
These leaves are placed in long, narrow windrows on a three-acre site at the Macoskey Center. Throughout the school year, buckets containing pre-consumer
food scraps from the University dining halls are delivered to the site three
times per week. One of the Center staff manually adds this material each
time it is delivered and monitors the process of decomposition within the
windrows. A large, tractor-operated Sandberger compost turner is used to
turn the windrows periodically. 
