MODULE 4: Best Practices & Troubleshooting
IN THIS LESSON
It’s very normal for community composting sites to go through iterations of site design, system choice, operations management and recipe!
Resources:
Recorded webinar
Tipsheets
Additional resources
Image credit: Cassandra Hemenway, CVSWMD
Assessing the process & troubleshooting
Tip sheets
It’s important to understand how the composting system is supposed to work and to manage the collection of feedstocks, reviewing the logbooks, and troubleshooting as needed. It also includes the people-part of the process, providing or arranging for trainings, knowing volunteer availability and scheduling, and fostering clear and open communication.
A compost “recipe” is a specific blend of materials mixed together in a compost system. Having different recipes, based on the type of feedstock materials and the type of compost system used, will help the system reach the optimum carbon to nitrogen (C:N) range for the decomposing microbes to do their work.
Troubleshooting is an integral part to operating a community composting site. It doesn’t mean you’ve done something wrong – it’s an ongoing part of system management. As you’re learning, be sure to reach out to experts who can help you! Build a network of other community, backyard, and master composters, extension workers, or other local knowledgeable individuals. This tip sheet also includes easy tests you can do on site to determine if your compost is ready for use.
More resources
Community Composting Site Inspection Form
The Site Inspection Form is a useful tool to use when walking through an existing site or considering how to set up a new site. The different sections of the inspection form provides prompts for thinking about different aspects of site set-up and ensures that all of the necessary components are being included.
Compostville 2.0 at The Garden at 485 Elm, Montpelier, VT.