SIGN UP FOR THE COMPOST BRIGADE! HERE’S HOW!
YOU HELP US! WE HELP YOU AND WE BOTH HELP THE ENVIRONEMNT!
The initial contact to sign up for the Compost Brigade is by appointment. This includes reading the guidelines for acceptable compost materials and verifying you will adhere to these guidelines. After that, you can come at your convenience. We will accept compost at the farm in one of two ways throughout the season. (1) We will meet you on site at the farm in Portugal Cove the first time you come and help you access one of the on-farm compost bins. After that, you will be able to come as often as convenient and dump your own compost. (2) For a charge of $10.00, we provide two clean 5 gallon buckets with lids. When you sign up, you get your first bucket. When you bring it back with compost, leave it and pick up a clean, sterilized bucket. We empty the bucket after you leave, sterilize it and get it ready for your next trip.
Why compost?
Organic matter is derived mainly from plant residues and contain all of the essential plant nutrients. Organic matter does not add any “new” plant nutrients but releases nutrients in a form available to plants through the process of decomposition. Your compost will contribute to the Organic Farm Nutrient Bank Account. From a practical agriculture standpoint, organic practices establishes a revolving nutrient bank account which improves soil structure, maintains tilth and helps minimize erosion. The manner in which nature converts plant matter into new life is truly a gift Anyone who has had the opportunity to visit a rain forest and see how a fallen tree, maybe hundreds of years old, becomes an incubation log for dozens of young seedlings has had glimpse of how “kind” nature is to mankind in spite of how clumsy and sometimes, neglectful, we are in maintaining this partnership.
What Should I Compost?
All kitchen vegetable waste, including spoiled and non-organic materials will eventually turn into usable compost. The miracle of Nature is that over time, the natural process of composting breaks down those nasty pesticides and herbicides, at the same time, rescuing the nutrients for future plants.
We also use glass clippings and leaves for mulching or to add to the compost. The more the better!
Any carpentry projects? If so, consider bagging the sawdust for the Organic Farm. Make sure it is clean with no machine or chain oil residues from cutting equipment. Avoid meat and grease and oils used for frying. No pet manures, kitty litter, etc.
If you need any more details about joining our Organic Farm Compost Brigade, please get in touch with me through Organic Farm E-mail.
Thanks/ Melba Rabinowitz
June, 2015
