Making & Using Compost
Part 1 – 326 | Unit 1.7
Resources
Van Horn, Mark. 1995. Compost Production and
Utilization: A Growers Guide. Publication 21514.
Oakland, CA: University of California Division of
Agriculture and Natural Resources.
Includes sample calculations for achieving
optimal C:N ratios, suggestions on compost
management, nutrient profiles, and nutrient
release patterns of composts.PERIODICALS
BioCycle. The JG Press, Inc. http://www.biocycle.net
Offers business-oriented information on
composting, anaerobic digestion, and biofuels
processing.WEB-BASED RESOURCES
Biocycle Magazine
http://www.biocycle.net/magazine/
BioCycle magazine online.CalRecycle (California)
http://www.calrecycles.ca.gov/organics/
Includes extensive information on compost
use in agriculture, including case studies,
commercial compost sources, and state
regulations.California Integrated Waste Management Board
http://www.ciwmb.ca.gov
Provides health and safety information for
composting.Cornell University: Cornell Composting
compost.css.cornell.edu/index.html
Provides access to a variety of composting
educational materials and programs developed
at Cornell University.EPM, Inc.
http://www.wormwigwam.com
Procedures for composting using earthworms,
and a worm-composting system offered for sale.Klickit County, Washington Solid Waste
http://www.klickitatcounty.org/solidwaste/fileshtml/
organics/compostCalcAbout.htm
Resources for calculating the C:N ratio of
compost piles.National Organic Program
http://www.ams.usa.gov/nop
Provides regulations and standards for
meeting composting requirements for organic
certification. See Title 7, Agriculture; Part
205-National Organic Program; Subpart
C-Organic Production and Handling
Requirements, for rules relating to compost
production.Washington State University: Center for Sustaining
Agriculture and Natural Resources
csanr.wsu.edu/compost/
WSU’s compost research and education
program provides useful information on large-
and small-scale com-posting, use of composts,
and regulations.University of California Vegetable Research and
Information Center
vric.ucdavis.edu/pdf/compost_rapidcompost.pdf
Information from University of California
plant pathology professor Robert Raabe on a
technique to rapidly produce compost, featuring
frequent pile turning. 2 pages.Worm Digest
http://www.wormdigest.org
Information, networking, and resources on all
aspects of vermicomposting.VIDEOS
The Compost Video Series. University of California
Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners of Orange
County, California. Available at uccemg.com/Soils-
Fertilizers-Compost/Composting-Video-Series-386/
Nine short videos address a variety of home
composting topics, including how to start, turn,
and troubleshoot a compost pile.Do the Rot Thing: The Simple Art of Home Com-
posting. 1998. Alameda, CA: Alameda County
Waste Management Authority and Recycling Board
(22 minutes). Available on YouTube (search by title).
Covers the basics of home-scale composting.