The Basics

Compost is a media that consists of broken down organic material.  In many commercial cases, peat moss is used instead of compost to promote plant growth and provide plants with essential nutrients.  Fertilizers do this as well.  Commercial peat is usually 70% peat moss, 20% organic waste, and 10% organic fertilizer.  Peat is a soil media taken from now-endangered wetlands, and are unsustainably harvested for commercial horticulture use.  Vermicomposting on the Agroecology Farm will provide an alternative (on a small-scale, so peat and organic fertilizer will still need to be used to some extent) that furthers the sustainable goals of the farm.

Vermicomposting is the accelerated version of composting, where colonies of worms break down organic waste, such as animal waste or crop byproducts.  The organic material we will use for the Agroecology Farm will primarily be food waste--leftover produce and the like.  Vermicompost media retains a higher proportion of nutrients than peat moss and regular compost (compost left to decompose on its own without worms).  These nutrients include nitrate, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, and calcium.

Once the Agroecology Farm begins vermicomposting in the spring of 2018, over the next couple months we can expect to develop quality, nutrient rich media for the organic crops at the farm.  Another aspect of organic farming will be addressed by vermicomposting, and food waste can be dealt with in a sustainable manner.  Not only that, but the food waste students compost will benefit the University community itself!