Composting Organics in Your Backyard – That Stuff’s Not Trash! Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service Solid Waste Management (SWM) Prepared by Lynn Malley, Assistant State Extension Specialist, SWM Town and Country Gardening Workshop

What Is the Purpose of the Solid Waste Management Grant? Provide assistance to communities that are ◦ Small ◦ Rural ◦ Native American ◦ Other What does that mean? ◦ Partnering with these communities to improve SWM ◦ Building bridges among those interested in SWM Funded by USDA Rural Development

OK’s First Organics Conferences and Farm Tour

Featured in ODEQ - Environmental Law and Regulation Enforcement This is a regular program Michael Freeman is the trainer 8 CLEET credit hours 3 times each spring Recently, we expanded from straight law enforcement to regulatory enforcement

Featured for Organics Waste Diversion from Landfills Hot topic nationally 20-40% of landfill materials are food waste and yard waste These produce higher amounts of methane gas Large parts of Oklahoma are food deserts We can use the food scraps We can compost the waste

What is Composting? Natural decomposition of organic materials by microorganisms Insects Worms Bacteria Fungi, etc. Requires organic materials and some water May or may not require air

Compost Happens Whether contained…. Or not contained…

Methods of Composting Bin, Tumbler, Chamber, or home made System Commercial Scale

Windrows at CommonWealth Gardens OKC

Static Compost Pile at the OKC Zoo

4 Bin System with Pallets

Pallet Bins from Growing a Greener World pisode225/ pisode225/

Compost Inputs and Tools Inputs Fruits and vegetables Straw Grass Clippings Leaves Tools Rake Shovel ? Bin ? worms

Compost Steps

High Carbon - Brown Dead Leaves Straw Paper

High Nitrogen - Green Produce Scraps Grass Clippings Coffee Grounds Manure

Organic Matter Great stuff!! Promotes microbial growth Improves soil tilth (workability) Promotes root development Improves soil aeration & drainage Improves water retention in sandy soils Lessens soil compaction Etc. Etc. Etc. Organic Matter Matter that comes from a once- living organism Is capable of decay Is made up of organic compounds

Finished Compost The decomposed remnants of organic matter Soil Amendment Stable Dark Brown or Black Earthy Smell

Use of Compost Soil amendment lbs/100 sq. ft. At planting in garden In planting hole or trench Component of potting mix 30-50% of mix Mulching 2-3” thick Lawn Soil amendment before planting Top dress use up to ¼” per year

Reasons to Compost: Food Waste = Food for People, Animals, and Plants Ugly veggies Overripe crops Compost Advantages ◦ Good, local food for people in smaller, underserved areas ◦ Extra unusable food for animals ◦ Easily, locally made compost ◦ Less need for infrastructure ◦ More independence ◦ Interested?

Master Composters The program ◦ Training coming for trainers in small towns around the state ◦ Based on the Master Gardener program ◦ Trainers will donate 20 hours of training to others in their area The benefits ◦ Use of real food waste ◦ Production of a great growing medium for local gardens  Schools  Senior Centers  Small Communities ◦ Production of richer soil for absorbing and holding water

Questions? Lynn Malley Assistant State Extension Specialist Solid Waste Management W