TOFG-all

Making & Using Compost

Part 1 – 332 | Unit 1.7

smaller manure spreader, then worked in with a
spader.
In addition to compost applications, every field
is planted with cover crops in spring, late summer,
or fall at least every other year, although for the last
two years cover crop planting has been significantly
reduced at the Santa Ana Ranch due to the drought.
The combination of regular compost applications
and cover crops has raised the soil organic mat-
ter levels on the ranches from 2–3.5% when Phil
started farming in the 1980s to the current levels of
5–6%—remarkably high by Central California soil
standards.

Costs, Pros and Cons

Phil says it costs about $35–$38/ton to produce
compost on site, including labor, feedstock, fuel, and
equipment repairs, which is comparable to the cost
of purchasing finished compost from a commercial
source.
Even with the relatively equivalent costs, he sees
a number of advantages in making your own com-
post versus “buying in,” including:

• The ability to control both the quality of inputs
  and the production process; that quality will
  show in improved soil health.


• Generating compost when you need it.
  
  
  • Reducing farm waste products by using up
    culls; this also helps reduce levels of diseases
    and pests (e.g., maggots in culled onions).
  
  
  • Spreading out costs over a longer time period.
  
  
  • Having a known testing system in place in an
    ever-changing food safety regulatory environ-
    ment.
    Phil also acknowledges the drawbacks in running
    your own composting operation. These include:
  
  
  • The up-front costs of buying the necessary
    equipment and ongoing labor, feedstock, fuel,
    water, and feedstock expenses.
  
  
  • The learning curve involved—Phil says it took
    him 4–5 years to become fairly proficient at
    producing good quality compost—and the on-
    going time commitment required for production
    and testing.
  
  
  • Dedicating a portion of land to a compost yard.
  
  
  • Issues with feedstock quality and availability.
    If you decide to purchase compost from a com-
    mercial source, Phil recommends visiting the opera-
    tion to assess the quality of the material and the
    practices used. Make sure the producer is approved
    by the Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI,
    http://www.omri.org)..) Ask for records of inputs and prac-
    tices, and get a nutrient analysis done.
  
  
  
  

Supplement 2: Field-Scale Compost Production