Land ApplicationLand Application

Presentation 11:Presentation 11:The Composting ToolkitThe Composting Toolkit

Funded by the Indiana Funded by the Indiana Department of Department of Environmental Environmental Management Recycling Management Recycling Grants ProgramGrants Program

Developed by the Indiana Developed by the Indiana Rural Community Rural Community Assistance Program - Assistance Program - RCAPRCAP

Land ApplicationLand Application

Land application is the direct incorporation of Land application is the direct incorporation of raw, uncomposted leaves, grass, and other raw, uncomposted leaves, grass, and other non-woody landscape wastes into the soil.non-woody landscape wastes into the soil.

The raw yard waste decomposes slowly over a The raw yard waste decomposes slowly over a period of time and becomes incorporated back period of time and becomes incorporated back into the soil.into the soil.

Benefits of Land ApplicationBenefits of Land Application

Land application returns valuable organic Land application returns valuable organic matter to the soil and keeps it out of disposal matter to the soil and keeps it out of disposal facilities.facilities.

Because the materials are directly incorporated Because the materials are directly incorporated into the soil you “cut out the middleman” from into the soil you “cut out the middleman” from needing to market and/or distribute the end needing to market and/or distribute the end product.product.

Challenges with Land ApplicationChallenges with Land Application

Must be managed so as to prevent any Must be managed so as to prevent any aesthetic or environmental problemsaesthetic or environmental problems

Runoff, leachate, and odors must all be Runoff, leachate, and odors must all be consideredconsidered

Only an option if material is incorporated into Only an option if material is incorporated into the soil long before a crop is plantedthe soil long before a crop is planted

The material being incorporated needs to be The material being incorporated needs to be uniform and free of all contaminants.uniform and free of all contaminants.

Decomposition ProcessDecomposition Process Decomposition takes place in an uncontrolled manner, soil Decomposition takes place in an uncontrolled manner, soil

characteristics such as temperature, moisture, oxygen levels, characteristics such as temperature, moisture, oxygen levels, and carbon-to-nitrogen ratio can fluctuate.and carbon-to-nitrogen ratio can fluctuate.

Decomposition of land-applied materials occurs somewhat Decomposition of land-applied materials occurs somewhat differently than the controlled activity of a windrow process. differently than the controlled activity of a windrow process. Land-applied landscape waste is first degraded near the soil Land-applied landscape waste is first degraded near the soil surface by macro-organisms such as earthworms and soil surface by macro-organisms such as earthworms and soil insects. Once these larger organisms reduce the size and insects. Once these larger organisms reduce the size and consume some of the material, smaller organisms begin consume some of the material, smaller organisms begin decomposing the material at low temperatures and relatively decomposing the material at low temperatures and relatively slow rates.slow rates.

Application RatesApplication Rates

Most studies of application rates have been Most studies of application rates have been conducted on corn fields. The following is a conducted on corn fields. The following is a summary of three studies of interest:summary of three studies of interest: Barrington, IL: 10 tons of leaves per acre or 5 tons Barrington, IL: 10 tons of leaves per acre or 5 tons

of grass clippings per acreof grass clippings per acre A.E. Peterson: 20 – 40 tons of leaves per acreA.E. Peterson: 20 – 40 tons of leaves per acre New Jersey: 3-inch layer of leaves chisel plowed New Jersey: 3-inch layer of leaves chisel plowed

into the soilinto the soil

Application TimetableApplication Timetable

For Leaves: Apply in the fall. A number of studies For Leaves: Apply in the fall. A number of studies recommend adding supplemental Nitrogen to aid recommend adding supplemental Nitrogen to aid decomposition.decomposition.

For Grass Clippings: Apply at least six weeks prior to For Grass Clippings: Apply at least six weeks prior to a crop planting.a crop planting.

For finished yard waste: Apply prior to crop For finished yard waste: Apply prior to crop plantings. One study recommended adding plantings. One study recommended adding supplemental Nitrogen to prevent the compost from supplemental Nitrogen to prevent the compost from up-taking soil Nitrogen needed by the food crop.up-taking soil Nitrogen needed by the food crop.

Facility Registration RequiredFacility Registration Required

Just like with composting facilities, the Just like with composting facilities, the Indiana Department of Environmental Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) requires the Management (IDEM) requires the registration of large scale land application registration of large scale land application programs. programs.

Technical AssistanceTechnical Assistance

It is wise to consult with experts in the field of It is wise to consult with experts in the field of soil studies before carrying out a land soil studies before carrying out a land application program. Resources include:application program. Resources include: Soil and Water Conservation DistrictSoil and Water Conservation District County ExtensionCounty Extension

QUESTIONS?QUESTIONS?

Thank You!Thank You!

Additional Questions, Comments, or You Additional Questions, Comments, or You Think You Have A Potential Pilot CommunityThink You Have A Potential Pilot Community Please Feel Free to Contact Me:Please Feel Free to Contact Me:

Mark W. DavisMark W. Davis

Technical Assistance ProviderTechnical Assistance Provider

Rural Community Assistance ProgramRural Community Assistance Program

Office: 1-800-382-9895Office: 1-800-382-9895

Wireless: (812) 320-0720Wireless: (812) 320-0720

E-mail: mdavis@incap.orgE-mail: mdavis@incap.org