So, What Is Compost Exactly?
Well, ‘compost’ is actually an umbrella term used to describe the process of recycling organic material.
Simply put, compost is actually what you get when organic material (like food scraps, leaves, and animal products) decomposes properly. It's a nutrient rich, dirt-like material that can be used to enrich soil and nourish growth.

While this process takes time in nature, we can help speed it up by creating the ideal environment.
By adding carbon (browns) and nitrogen (greens) to organic material, combined with lots of air and water, we create a nutrient rich substance that can be used as natural fertilizer to our soil - sustaining future growth.
Why Does Composting Matter?
Improves Soil Structure.
Natural proteins in compost help dirt bind together, which helps soil retain nutrients and moisture.
Did you know that soil can retain 16,000 gallons of water per acre for every 1% of organic material? That means that adding compost to soil can reduce the water needed for crops.*
It’s A Natural Fertilizer.
Compost introduces both microorganisms like bacteria and fungi; and nutrients like nitrogen, copper, phosphorus, and zinc, to soil, which makes it more fertile.
Reducing Diseases.
Compost makes soil healthier, causing plants to be more resistant to diseases and harmful insects.
For A Healthier Planet.
Throwing organic material into the garbage is harmful to the environment. Organics make up about 1/3 of our waste, removing organic material from our garbage reduces the amount of trash we send to landfills.
Plus, organics don't belong in the trash. Organic material decomposing in landfills releases harmful methane, a gas 20 times more effective at trapping heat in the atmosphere than carbon dioxide. Landfills make up 17% of the United States' methane emissions. By composting we can substantially reduce harmful emissions to the environment.*
*The United States Environmental Protection Agency
Landfills are a large producer of methane emissions in the US*
Select the different categories below to get a deeper dive into the wonderful world of food and dirt.
How Composting Works?
What To Include In Your Compost?
What’s Happening Inside The Pile?
An Introduction To Ecosystems
Compost Troubleshooting
When is Compost Finished?
How Is Finished Compost Used?
Techniques & Technologies
Tools For Composting
Anaerobic Digestion

Looking for more resources, references, or recommendations?

Check out our resource library for digital downloads on composting, videos, maps, and more!
Resource Library
Copyright 2018