Performing Department
(N/A)
Non Technical Summary
South Florida's rapid urbanization has led to significant challenges in waste management and land availability, particularly for organic waste processing. Traditional large-scale composting facilities often require expansive land areas, making them impractical in highly urbanized settings. In response to these challenges, this project proposes a "micro" composting approach that leverages small, strategically located operations to effectively manage organic waste.This initiative aims to develop and implement a pilot micro composting project that will serve as a model for similar operations across South Florida. The project will focus on demonstrating the viability of small-scale composting in urban areas by documenting the process, outcomes, and lessons learned.This project will lean on science through a partnership with the University of Florida to improve sales and utilization of the finished compost. Results of all project items will be conveyed through a final education component titled Compost College and webinar series. These combined will help to promote the learned composting and food waste reduction practices throughout the region.The goals of this program are to: 1) construct a "micro" compost processing site, 2) operate a "micro" compost processing site, and 3) develop and implement a comprehensive education and awareness program.Key deliverables include a fully functional constructed compost processing site, Public Private Partnership agreement with the compost operator, operational reports, completed testing data cut sheets and website, and fully executed Compost College and webinar series.Measurements and evaluation will include at minimum: Food waste feedstock quantities, compost production data, compost quality testing, compost sales, user feedback and interaction analytics.Final Project outcomes will be presented at a City Commission meeting. Results will also be made available to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).
Animal Health Component
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Research Effort Categories
Basic
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Applied
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Developmental
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Goals / Objectives
Goal #1: Construct a "micro" compost processing site.Goal #2: Operate a "micro" compost processing site.Goal #3: Develop and implement a comprehensive education and awareness program.
Project Methods
Effort:Construct and operate a micro compost processing site.Evaluation: Completed plans and approved permits will be considered one-time evaluation measures.Evaluation: all incoming feedstock and finished compost will be accurately weighed and measured regularly.Effort: Create informative, concise and accessible compost cut sheets demonstrating each round of seasonally tested compost.Evaluation: Seed Assays: To assess seasonal batches of compost on seed emergence when compared to using popular growing media mixes. Greenhouse trials will be conducted to determine the effect of compost on seed emergence when compared to popular growing media mixes. Days to emerge, seedling counts as well as media water content will be assessedEvaluation: Raised Bed: To evaluate vegetable establishment and yield in compost amended raised beds. Crop quality, volumetric water content, NDVI and crop yield will be assessed. Material cost, water savings and percent fertilizer reduction will also be determined.Evaluation: Field Trial: To evaluate one of the following: turf/sod/bedding plants established in native sand soil amended with varying volumes of compost. Seasonal seedlings will be planted in native sand soil that has been amended with compost at varying ratios and compared to native sand alone as well as commercially available packaged compost. This trial will be a split-split plot design with plots receiving either rainfall only or supplemental irrigation based on ET. Additionally, plots will either receive fertilizer at labeled rate or a 50% reduction of fertilizer to determine plant establishment under reduced fertilizer rates. Percent cover, crop quality, volumetric water content, NDVI via drone and crop yield will be assessed. Material cost, water, and percent fertilizer reduction will be determined.Effort: Develop and implement a comprehensive education and awareness program.Evaluation: Collected feedback from Compost College attendees, including immediate post-event surveys and follow-up surveys six months later, along with engagement metrics from the webinar series.