Composting
CORE COMPETENCIES
At the end of this session you will be able to articulate and explain:
- Home composting
- Key factors in effective composting (microorganisms, organic materials (C:N ratio, particle size, air, moisture, and pile volume)
- How to troubleshoot and correct home composting problems
- The characteristics of and uses of finished compost
- Key factors in effective composting (microorganisms, organic materials (C:N ratio, particle size, air, moisture, and pile volume)
- Soil fertility and pH
- The role and importance of soil pH
- The pH scale (acidic to basic, logarithmic)
- How pH adjustments are made in the soil
- Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC) and its relation to fertility
- Essential macronutrients and micronutrients needed for plant growth
- Soil testing and interpretation
- Don’t Guess, Soil Test! – The importance of soil testing.
- How to sample soil and complete the soil testing form properly
- How to interpret a soil test and its recommendations
SELECTED READINGS AND CONTENT
UMaine Extension Bulletins
- Home Composting, Bulletin #1143
- How Compost Happens, Bulletin #1159
UMaine Extension Videos
MOFGA fact sheets — Look for
- Composting in the Backyard or on a Small Farm
Additional Resources
- Compost Chemistry, Cornell University
- Compost Physics, Cornell University
- Composting with Redworms, Washington State University
- Composting to Reduce the Waste Stream: A Guide to Small Scale Food and Yard Waste Composting (PDF; University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign), NRAES
- Invertebrates of the Compost Pile, Cornell University
- Keeping Worms Happy: information about worm bins for younger audiences, by Trisha Smith
- Maine Department of Environmental Protection Composting Page
- 10 Steps to Starting a School Composting Operation (PDF)
PRACTICAL SKILLS GAINED AND STRENGTHENED
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