Progress 09/01/15 to 08/31/20
Outputs
Target Audience:Small scale diversified specialty crop farmers in rural, periurban and urban locations including limited resource and minority farmers; home gardeners and homesteaders; Michigan State University students in Bachelor's Degree and Agriculture Technology Certificate programs. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The composting and vermicomposting research site at the Horticulture Teaching and Research Center has provided for compost related training for undergraduate students, visiting farmers and compost site operators. The vermicomposting of campus food residue project provided a working demonstration of vermicomposting principles using a unique cold climate method. Out of state farmers have made use of handout materials available at the PI's website. As noted in the accomplishments, the project has been moved from the research site and will be continued as a composting and demonstration site at the MSU Recycling Center and Surplus Store on the main campus. The Recycling Center routinely hosts tours and education programs. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Over 5 years there was an annual average of 16 outreach events per year with an average of 750 particpants per year. The audience focus was farmers, urban agriculture practitioners and composters in Michigan and nationally. The topic focus or emphasis was on compost and vermicompost production and use, high tunnel soil fertility and health management, and organic transplant fertility management. Many of the presentations involved a hands on or active demonstration component. Printed handouts were distributed at most events. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
For "thermophillic" (hot, >130F) composting we investigated three combinations of municipal leaves and freshly harvested pasture clippings (1:2, 1:1, 2:1) and combinations (1:1:1) of municipal leaves, pasture clippings and a) coffee grounds, b) mixed animal manure, c) peat moss, d) wood shavings or e) shredded office paper over 3 years. Each compost was allowed to mature for one year, analyzed for soluble and total nutrient content, and used to grow vegetable transplants. A feedstock blend tested multiple times for use in large containers was the use of a mixture of a) 1:1 mixture of food residue precomposted with fall collected municipal leaves (30% by volume), b) additional municipal leaves (30% by volume), and c) ramial wood chips (40% by volume). The resulting compost had low to moderate fertility and was porous with structural integrity suitable for use in large (10 to 20 gallons) growing containers and raised beds. The primary focus of "mesophillic" (cool, <100F) composting was on the use of a "wedge" system of vermicomposting in an unheated greenhouse, also called a high tunnel or hoophouse. The wedge system in a high tunnel was selected as a preferred on farm method after five years (2010-2015) of testing multiple vermicomposting methods. Cement building blocks were stacked three high (24") to provide a backstop running 48' along the north and south walls, the length of the high tunnel. Woven landscape fabric (10'wide) placed over several inches of compacted 2NS sand provided the base of the wedge. The composting earth worm populations (Eisenia sp.; 1 to 2 lbs/square foot surface area) were established in the feeddstock starting against the backstop. Additional precomposted food residue/municipal leaves mixture was added in 1 to 2 inch layers at weekly intervals during summer months and in 3 to 4 inch layers at biweekly intervals during the winter months; approximately 1.5 to 2 cubic yards/feeding. Thinner layers prevent excessive heating that slow the vermicomposting during the summer. Thicker layers can provide desired heating that helps the vermicomposting during the winter months. Over a period of weeks and months the wedge grows in height and width. New feedstock is applied to the angled (40 to 50 degrees from vertical) face of the wedge to allow worms to continuously feed along a large surface area.After four to five months of vermicomposting, the worms move out of the compost and finished compost is loosened, dried if needed, harvested and screened. The wedge is restarted by moving the leading edge with the earthworms back to the block wall as space opens after harvesting. In the 30'x72' high tunnel, using approximately 50% of the floor area for vermicomposting, total annual production approached 18 to 22 cubic yards of finished, screened compost with an estimated 8 to 10 hours per week of labor. This is a cost effective method for on-farm vermicomposting. The passive solar heating of the high tunnel and worm wedges allows maintenance of compost bed temperatures in the 40 to 60F range in the winter months, which is less than desired (65 to 75F) but adequate to maintain vermicomposting. In the summer months, a 90% shade fabric on the polyethylene roof with side wall ventilation was an effective method of maintaining the worm beds in the 70 to 80F temperature range. Over 150 compost samples from experiments were analyzed for bulk density, organic matter content, pH, electrical conductivity (EC), soluble (saturated media extract) and total nutrients by ashing. The goal of developing recommended soluble and total nutrient levels for compost growing media compared to peat-based media was not achieved. In general, higher than recommended SME soluble nutrient levels provided good plant growth. For example, a recommended EC of 1 to 3 mS/m for root and plant growth for peat based root media, but normal root and plant growth was measured with both lower and much higher (4 to 6 mS/m EC) SME values. Compost dry bulk density was identified as an important parameter to identify compost variability and that impacts the nutrient content and water/air holding properties. General low concentrations of all trace elements in leaf tissue of kale used as a bioassay plant for multiple composts was an important observation that needs to be addressed, potentially through addition of micronutrients at the start of composting. Compost amendments evaluated included anaerobic digester liquid effluent, biochar, mined minerals (lime, gypsum, rock phosphate, Azomite), clay and wood ash. Rates of amendment commonly used for peat-based root media (1 to 4 pouns per cubic yard) had little effect on the compost soluble and total nutrient analysis levels. The addition of elemental sulfur at 2 to 4 lbs/cuyd of starting compost feedstocks lowered the compost pH at maturation and appeared to hasten maturation as measured by an increase in soluble salts/EC.Recommendations for reducing soluble salts during composting include the use of higher rates (from 20% to 40% by volume) of ramial wood chips as feedstock. Another method to manage compost soluble salts is mixing less mature compost (low EC) with more mature compost or vermicompost (high EC) to achieve target or desired levels of EC or soluble salts in compost growing media. Cucumber, kale and tomato transplants were grown in standard flats of low volume cells in a greenhouse over 3 to 8 weeks to determine short term nutrient availability and physical properties in shallow containers. The addition of vermicompost as a top dressing applied to transplant flats was identified as a viable alternative to the use of water soluble organic fertilizers such as fish emulsion or soybean extractions. Primarily kale was used to assess the long term nutrient availability in 5, 10, 15 and 20 gallon containers. Kale was the preferred bioassay plant for long term studies because leaves could be successively harvested at 10 to 14 day intervals over a period of 12 to 14 months. Amendment with vermicompost at 10% by volume increased leaf yield but did not alter nutrient concentrations in the leaves. Addition of commonly recommend mined mineral supplements to mature compost did not alter kale yield or nutrient concentrations in kale leaves. While not all the objectives were completed, progress has been made towards identifying how compost and vermicompost can be intentionally made from locally available organic materials for use specifically as a seedling root media in small volume containers or as large volume container plant root media, both suitable for use in certified organic production systems. Both short (weeks) and long term (years) plant production methods in compost media are possible with 100% compost media. As part of the completion of this research project, a major effort for 2020 was moving the composting and vermicomposting project from the Horticulture Teaching and Research Center on south campus, to the Recycling Center and Surplus Store site on the MSU main campus. The composting and vermicomposting will continue to be managed by Recycling Center staff. MSU investments in 2020 included frost free water source, a 30' x 180' asphalt pad to allow efficient use of a skid steer to mechanize the compost handling, a 30'x75'area with retaining walls for carbon feedstock (leaf) storage, a 30 x 32 high tunnel for precomposting of food residue under cover, and a 30'x96' high tunnel built by Recycling Center personnel with drop down side wall ventilation for vermicomposting and other compost demonstrations. An important outcome of the project is that the vermicomposting will continue both in routine practice for processing campus food residue and as a compost education site for the MSU community and students. Plant production in compost root media will be demonstrated in containers and raised beds.
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Progress 10/01/18 to 09/30/19
Outputs
Target Audience:Small scale diversified specialty crop farmers in rural, periurban and urban locations including limited resource and minority farmers; home gardeners and homesteaders; Michigan State University students in Bachelor's Degree and Agriculture Technology Certificate programs. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The composting and vermicomposting research site at the Horticulture Teaching and Research Center has provided for compost related training for undergraduate students and visiting farmers and compost site operators. Out of state farmers have made use of handout materials available at the PI's website. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?A total of 11 related outreach presentations to farmers, urban agriculture practitioners and composters were made in Michigan and nationally with an emphasis on compost and vermicompost production and use, high tunnel soil fertility and health management, and organic transplant fertility management. A key presentation introducing compostponics was at the United States Composting Council (USCC) national meeting in Phoenix Arizona.A three-hour field day demonstration of composting, vermicomposting and production of raised beds was provided on August 22 (30 attendees) and August 24th (20 attendees). A compost production demonstration was completed in Detroit for 25+ attendees. Printed handouts were distributed at most events and are available at the PI's website: https://www.canr.msu.edu/people/dr_john_biernbaum What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?One focus of research for 2020 will the evaluation and bioassay of the composts made with either passive aeration and or addition of mineral amendments prior to composting. A second focus will be a comparison of the same blended feedstocks either hot composted and used as a growing medium, or layered in a raised bed without composting using what is often referred to as a "sheet composting" or "lasagna" bed preparation method. The "compost" will be compared using the kale bioassay method. The cycle starting October 1, 2019 will be the final year of the project. The wedge vermicomposting system in a high tunnel will be moved to a new location on the MSU campus (Recycling Center and Surplus Store) to allow vermicomposting continuation following completion of the research project.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Coffee grounds, paper towels and municipal leaves were composted and vermicomposted with the same methods used the previous year inside an unheated hoophouse using a wedge/berm system. At least 16 cubic yards (cuyd) of high quality compost (+3.0% N) was harvested (September through November) from the previous year production. The 2019 summer season was the second with the use of a 90% light reduction shade fabric on the hoophouse roof during the summer months (June-Sept). As was observed in 2018, the shade fabric reduced the interior hoophouse temperature and improved the composting activity of the worms while reducing the requirement for irrigation of the worm beds. During November 2018, a greenhouse trial with container grown lettuce was completed to test whether beneficial microbes in the compost growing media or applied via vermicompost extracts or worms maintained in the growing container were detectable in the growing medium and fresh harvested lettuce. Growing medium and lettuce samples were extracted for characterization of bacterial DNA / genera present. An outdoor production trial with kale grown in 20 gallon containers was completed to determine the effect of compost on the growth and nutrient density of kale leaves. Four treatments made use of the two composts from the previous year trial either without or with addition of vermicompost at 10% by volume prior to seeding. Four treatments used compost made with similar feedstocks (ramial wood chips, municipal leaves, kitchen scraps/coffee grounds) during the fall of 2017 or the summer and fall of 2018. A non-compost based growing medium comparison was made using a peat-perlite growing medium either without or with 20% by volume vermicompost added prior to seeding. The trial was completed at the composting site at the Horticulture Teaching and Research Center at Michigan State University. Red Russian kale was sown (20 seeds) and four plants were allowed to develop in each container. Mature leaves were removed at 10 to 21 day intervals. Fresh weight per pot and number of leaves were recorded at each harvest. The leaves were dried in a forced air oven for dry weight and will be submitted for nutrient analysis to determine if the treatments impacted nutrient density over the 13-week time period (July 6 to September 30). Unlike the previous year trial where yield differences between treatments were only in the 12 to15% range, the kale leaf yield in 2019 varied by as much as a factor of 3 (300%) across the various compost or media treatments. Four additional container plant trials with tomato, sweet potato or kale (2) were completed to test the addition of vermicompost, water soluble micronutrients (Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Mo, B) or magnesium sulfate near the start of crop production on nutrient density. Leaf samples were collected for foliar analysis. In one compost production trial, the effect of aeration and mineral addition were tested using 2 cubic yard cubes (44" x 44" x 48" tall; 2 cubic yard) composting vessels made using metal goat fence/ livestock fence panels. A standard pile placed on the ground there for having limited aeration, was compared to a pile elevated off the ground with 4, 2" diameter vertical passive aeration vent channels in the pile that allowed greater aeration. A second comparison was the addition of minerals to the compost feedstocks at the start of composting. The rates of gypsum (4 pounds), rock phosphate (4 pounds), wood ash (2 pounds) and sulfur (2 pounds) were similar to those added to finished compost in the 2018 experiment. In 2018, no effect of added minerals to mature compost at planting was measured for kale leaf yield or nutrient density. The mineral addition also included 50 pounds of clay (cat litter) and 4 pounds of clinoptilolite zeolite. The feedstocks were similar to those used in 2018 (2-year-old tree trimming wood chips (40% by volume), fall collected municipal leaves (30% by volume) and a partially composted mixture of kitchen preparation scraps, coffee grounds, paper towel and municipal leaves (30%). The feedstocks were initially layered and then mixed using a front end loader. The remaining mixed feedstocks (approximately 8 cubic yard) were composted in a tradition windrow method with turning by rolling from the side with the front end loader. The five composts will be bioassayed with kale plants in the summer of 2020. A marketing program for labeling and selling vermicompost in 4 gallon buckets continued in cooperation with the MSU Recycling Center and Surplus store. Approximately 225 buckets were sold at $25 each over the twelve-month period from October through September.
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Progress 10/01/17 to 09/30/18
Outputs
Target Audience:Small scale diversified specialty crop farmers in rural, periurban and urban locations including limited resource and minority farmers; home gardeners and homesteaders; Michigan State University students in Bachelor's Degree and Agriculture Technology Certificate programs. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The composting and vermicomposting research site at the Horticulture Teaching and Research Center has provided for compost related training for undergraduate students and visiting farmers and compost site operators. Out of state farmers have made use of handout materials available at the PI's website. Three presentations about a) the fundamentals of composting, b) the benefits of compost and c) the analysis of compost were made for the week long United States Composting Council Compost Trainer Program to 42 participants. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?A total of 13 related outreach presentations to farmers, urban agriculture practitioners and composters were made in Michigan and nationally with an emphasis on compost and vermicompost production and use, high tunnel soil fertility and health management, and organic transplant fertility management. One presentation about composting and Compostponics was made to approximately 200 attendees at a Master Gardener Conference and two demonstrations of making compost for growing media for raised beds and containers were made at the Michigan State University annual Garden Day to approximately 30 participants. Printed handouts were distributed at most events and are available at the PI's website: http://www.hrt.msu.edu/people/dr_john_biernbaum. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?The focus of research for the next year will be continued evaluation of the recently produced and amended composts for container/raised bed vegetable or culinary herb production.An experiment is planned to test whether beneficial microbes in the compost growing media or applied via vermicompost extracts or worms maintained in the growing container will be detectable in fresh harvested lettuce. If yes, future efforts will evaluate if consumption of the lettuce will have a measurable impact on the diversity of human gut microbiota. Vermicomposting systems in high tunnels and outdoors will continue to be evaluated. Worms will be made available to farmers and educational programs interested in and able to initiate a worm composting program.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Kitchen preparation scraps (pineapple, melon, vegetables, etc at ~85-90 percent moisture), coffee grounds, paper towels and municipal leaves were composted and vermicomposted with the same methods used the previous year inside an unheated hoophouse using a wedge/berm system. At least 15 cubic yards (cuyd) of high quality compost (+3.0% N) was harvested from the previous year production. The use of a 90% light reduction shade fabric on the hoophouse roof during the summer months (June-Sept) reduced the interior hoophouse temperature and improved the composting activity of the worms while reducing requirement for irrigation of the worm beds. One field trial with kale grown in 20 gallon containers outside was completed to determine the effect of compost and compost amendments on the mineral or nutrient density of kale leaves. The trial was completed on an urban farm in Flint Michigan and was part of a demonstration of how to prepare a garden area without tilling the ground by initially using landscape fabric mulch to kill the sod and growing in containers placed on the mulch. Compost made in 2017 (11 months old) from wood chips, leaves, hay, straw and previously finished compost was the base treatment (1). Amendments included vermicompost at 10% by volume (2), minerals (gypsum, rock phosphate, Azomite, sulfur, boric acid) added a planting (3), weekly foliar spray and media drench of fish, kelp and molasses (4), and a combination of all the amendments (vermicompost, minerals and weekly spray/drench (5). Red Russian kale was sown (40 seeds) and three plants were allowed to develop in each container. Mature leaves were removed at 10 to 21 day intervals. Fresh weight per pot (3 plants) and number of leaves were recorded at each harvest. The leaves were processed in forced air over for dry weight and will be submitted for nutrient analysis to determine if the treatments impacted nutrient density over the 14-week time period (July 2 to September 30). Yield of the kale plants grown in compost was as good or better than kale grown in mineral soil. Compost suitable for use as a growing medium in larger containers and for urban agriculture was produced (started July 24) using 1-year-old tree trimming wood chips (40% by volume), fall collected municipal leaves (20% by volume) and a partially composted mixture of kitchen preparation scraps, coffee grounds, paper towel and municipal leaves. The goal is produce substrates for container plant production from locally available feedstocks without the use of sphagnum peat moss or coconut coir. The nutrient content of the substrate will be adjusted by blending with mature vermicompost and or addition of mined minerals based on analysis of the compost. A marketing program for labeling and selling vermicompost in 4.5 gallon buckets continued in cooperation with the MSU Recycling Center and Surplus store. Approximately 250 buckets were sold at $25 each over the twelve-month period from October through September. One farmer and one composter have agreed to take worms and begin a trial vermicomposting program at their farm or composting site.
Publications
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Progress 10/01/16 to 09/30/17
Outputs
Target Audience:Small scale diversified specialty crop farmers in rural, periurban and urban locations including limited resource and minority farmers; Michigan State University students in Bachelor's Degree and Agriculture Technology Certificate programs. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The composting and vermicomposting research site at the Horticulture Teaching and Research Center has provided for compost related training for undergraduate students and visiting farmers and compost site operators. Out of state farmers have made use of handout materials available at the PI's website. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?A total of 20 related outreach presentations to farmers, urban agriculture practitioners and composters were made in Michigan and nationally with an emphasis on compost and vermicompost production and use, high tunnel soil fertility and health management, and organic transplant fertility management. Printed handouts were distributed at most events and are available at the PI's website: http://www.hrt.msu.edu/people/dr_john_biernbaum. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?The focus of research for the next year will be continued evaluation of the recently produced composts for organic transplant production or container/raised bed vegetable or culinary herb production. Vermicomposting systems in high tunnels and outdoors will continue to be evaluated. Worms will be made available to farmers and educational programs able to initiate larger scale worm composting.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Composting of kitchen preparation scraps (pineapple, melon, vegetables, etc at ~85-90 percent moisture), coffee grounds, paper towels and municipal leaves were composted and vermicomposted with the same methods used the previous year inside an unheated hoophouse using a wedge/berm system. Over 20 cubic yards (cuyd) of high quality compost (+2.5% N) was harvested from the previous year production. An outdoor covered windrow of precomposted food scraps and municipal leaves inoculated with composting worms maintained an interior pile temperature of 80 to 100 degrees F through the winter allowing worms to survive. Four greenhouse bioassay trials were completed using root media and composts for certified organic vegetable transplant production. Eight commercially available media were compared with a standard transplant compost media. Six of the media included compost and were approved for use in certified organic production systems. Two media were peat-based with minimal nutrient charge. Media were assessed for chemical properties with the saturated media extract and physical characteristics including bulk density, particle size distribution, and available water holding capacity. Cucumber transplants were grown from seed and assessed for wet/dry weights, root rating, number of leaves, and plant height at three weeks of age. There were significant differences in seedling growth between some of the media. Data analysis is in process to identify possible correlation between transplant performance and specific chemical or physical characteristics. Cucumber transplants were grown in 30 different compost based media as part of an ongoing multiyear experiment testing recipes for hot compost with the base feedstocks of grass and leaves (1:2, 1:1, 2:1, 1:1 wrapped), with additional feedstocks intended to alter C:N ratios and other characteristics (pine shavings, shredded office paper, coffee grounds, mixed manure, sphagnum peat). The ten composts were used, with 3 different ages of each (2014, 2015, 2016), totaling 30 distinct compost media. The composts were analyzed using the saturated media extract method. Cucumber transplants were grown from seed and assessed for wet/dry weights, root rating, number of leaves, and plant height at three weeks of age. Interactions between feedstock and compost age were observed. Vermicompost produced from municipal leaves, kitchen preparation food scraps and coffee using a wedge system in an unheated greenhouse was tested at several rates and modes of application on growth and quality of cucumber seedlings. Topdressing at 3 rates (0.5, 1 and 2 cups per 48 cell flat), watering with a compost extract (1:5 v:v compost to water) 1, 2 or 3 times, and incorporating vermicompost into the planting media at 3 rates (1, 2 or 4 cups per 48 cell flat) were compared to a commercial peat based low-fertility media. Topdressing after 2 weeks of germination and growth was identified as a preferred method based on transplant parameters assessed. Vermicompost feedstocks produced from municipal leaves, kitchen preparation food scraps and coffee grounds were amended with minerals prior to composting. Based on previous research the objective was to increase calcium and alter the cation balance of the compost. Six treatments (4 replications) included no addition control, wood ash (5 lbs/cuyd), ash + sulfur (5 lbs/cuyd), rock phosphate (2.5% by volume, 50 Lbs/cuyd), lime (5 lbs/cuyd), and gypsum (5 lbs/cuyd). Chemical analysis of the compost is now being carried out to compare effects on nutrients and other characteristics of the finished product. Compost suitable for use as a growing medium in larger containers and for urban agriculture was produced (started June 15) using 2-year-old tree trimming wood chips, fall collected municipal leaves, baled straw and hay. The goal is produce substrates from locally available feedstocks without the use of sphagnum peat moss or coconut coir. The nutrient content of the substrate will be adjusted by blending with mature vermicompost and or addition of mined minerals. A marketing program for labeling and selling vermicompost in 4.5 gallon buckets was developed in cooperation with the MSU Recycling Center and Surplus store. Over 150 buckets were sold at $25 each over the five-month period from May through September.
Publications
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Progress 10/01/15 to 09/30/16
Outputs
Target Audience:Small scale diversified specialty crop farmers in rural, periurban and urban locations including limited resource and minority farmers; Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The composting and vermicomposting research site at the Horticulture Teaching and Research Center has provided for compost related training for undergraduate students and visiting farmers and compost site operators. Out of state farmers have made use of handout materials available at the PI's website. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?A total of 21 related outreach presentations to farmers, urban agriculture practitioners and composters were made in Michigan and nationally with an emphasis on high tunnel soil fertility and health management, organic transplant fertility management, and compost and vermicompost production and use. Printed handouts were distributed at most events and are available at the PI's website: http://www.hrt.msu.edu/people/dr_john_biernbaum. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?The focus of research for the next year will be continued evaluation of the recently produced composts for organic transplant production or container/raised bed vegetable or culinary herb production. Vermicomposting systems in high tunnels and outdoors will continue to be evaluated. Worms will be made available to farmers and educational programs able to initiate larger scale worm composting.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
For the 2015-2016 academic year 200,000 lbs (200 cubic yards) of preconsumer kitchen preparation scraps (pineapple, melon, vegetables, etc at ~85-90 percent moisture) and coffee grounds were delivered three times per week (average 1300 pounds / 1.3 cubic yard) and composted with municipal leaves. A Toolcat with loader bucket was used to mix, move and precompost materials on a cement pad covered with a greenhouse structure open on one end. Worm composting of approximately 50% of the material was accomplished in an unheated high tunnel using either A) a 40-foot-long by 2.5 foot-high by up to 7-foot-wide windrow maintained as a wedge vermicomposting system with precomposted material added weekly through the year, or B) batch systems filled with precomposted material and worms once and then emptied/harvested after 6-months (Oct-Mar) and then refilled for the summer months (May-Sept). Ten composts produced starting summer 2015 from municipal leaf and on-farm grass mixtures were analyzed for nutrient content and tested for seed germination and transplant growth of tomato, kale and cucumber in cell flats in a greenhouse. This work replicated a similar experiment from 2013 and 2014. Growth in the experimental composts ranged from very limited to comparable to the control treatment and was related to the pH and or electrical conductivity / soluble salt concentration of the composts. Outdoor covered windrow of precomposted food scraps and municipal leaves previously inoculated with an estimated 70 pounds of composting worms maintained an interior pile temperature of 80 to 100 degrees F allowing worms to survive. A new outdoor windrow was established in the spring (May) with precomposted material collected through the winter and inoculated with worms. A two-parts by volume leaf and 1-part grass compost was amended with biochar or anaerobic digester liquid or a combination of both and hot composted starting in early August in pallet size piles. The finished compost will be evaluated for nutrient content and suitability for plant production. In September 2016 compost was made from 1-year old municipal leaves, 2-year old chipped tree trimmings, hay and straw in approximately equal proportions and amended with: 1) nothing, 2) rock-phosphate, gypsum, sulfur and granite dust, 3) moistened, aged wood ashes, or 4) a combination of both treatment 2 and 3.
Publications
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Progress 09/01/15 to 09/30/15
Outputs
Target Audience:Small scale diversified specialty crop farmers in rural, periurban and urban locations including limited resource and minority farmers Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?During September, a compost workshop was presented for Detroit urban farmers and for four visiting international scholars. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?
Nothing Reported
What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Continue compost production with outdoor vermicomposting in windrows and in a high tunnel; complete compost analysis and correlation to plant growth experiments; evaluate the effect of biochar and anaerobic digester liquid compost ammendments on plant growth.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
For the month of September, 4 prior compost production experiments were continued including: 1) food scrap composting and vermicomposting, 2) production of 10 compost mixtures with leaves and grass as the base feedstocks, 3) leaves and grass amended with biochar, anaerobic digester liquid, or a mixture of both, and 4) leaf, grass coffee grounds mixture. In addition, the growth of vegetable transplants and basil in 10 compost mixtures continued to be evaluated.
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