Module 3: On-Farm Composting

In Module 3, students learn about the on-farm composting of bio-organic wastes which are commonly generated on farms (manure, crop residues, and animal mortalities). Key topics covered in this module are:
• factors which influence the decision of whether or not to compost on the farm;
• why composting is a required or recommended practice in organic farming;
• composting methods and equipment which are appropriate for farm-scale composting; and
• the site and environmental considerations for on-farm composting.

The Module 3 assignment (case study of Lawrence Andres on-farm composting operation) and class discussion (based on the Cornell video "Farm-Based Composting - Manure and More") deepens the students understanding of the diversity of approaches and methods in on-farm composting systems.

Towards the end of Module 3, students look for signs that the composting in their bins is nearing completion. Because of the short time-frame available for composting in this course, the composting objective is to obtain a "reasonably stabilized", rather than mature, compost product.