Compost Technology

What Is Compost?
Compost is a type of nutrient-rich,long manurial effect bio-organic fertilizer. It mainly consists of various plant residue(crop straw,weed,leaf,peat,rubbish and other waste,etc) and human or animal manure; these mixtures finally form compost by means of 7-10 days composting and decomposing. Compost plays quite a fundamental role in the whole growing process of crops and plants. To make good quality and nutritious bio-organic fertilizer, the very composting tool --compost turner is necessary.

Composting Biology
Composting is a method for treating solid waste in which organic material is broken down by microorganisms in the presence of oxygen to a point where it can be safely stored, handled and applied to the environment. Composting can benefit the environment as a natural fertilizer forgardening and farming.
Composting creates the ideal conditions for the natural decay or rotting processes that occur in nature. The compost conditions must be balanced for efficient decomposition.
* Organic waste - newspaper, leaves, grass, kitchen waste (fruits, vegetables), woody materials
* Plenty of air - source of oxygen, mixture should be turned daily or every other day
* Adequate water - mixture should be moist, but not soaking wet
* Proper mix of carbon to nitrogen - ratio should be about 30:1
* Small particle size - big pieces should be broken up, as smaller particles break down more rapidly
* Adequate amount of soil - should provide enough microorganisms for the process

How to Compost?
* During composting, microorganisms from the soil eat the organic (carbon containing) waste and break it down into its simplest parts. This produces a fiber-rich, carbon-containing humus with inorganic nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium.
* The microorganisms break the material down through aerobic respiration, and require oxygen that they get from the air you introduce when you turn the material in the compost bin. The microorganisms also require water to live and multiply.
* Through the respiration process, the microorganisms give off carbon dioxide and heat -- temperatures within compost piles can rise as high as 100 to 150 degrees Fahrenheit.

If the compost pile or bin is actively managed by turning and watering it regularly, the process of decomposing into finished compost can happen in as little as two to three weeks (otherwise, it may take months).

Why Compost?
The major goal of composting is to reduce the amount of solid waste you generate. If you reduce solid waste, you will save space in municipal landfills, which will ultimately save you tax money. Finished compost has the advantage of being a useful natural fertilizer that is more environmentally friendly than synthetic fertilizers.
The compost pile actually has a complex organization of living organisms -- a foodweb. All of the organisms work to balance the population of organisms within the compost, which increases the efficiency of the entire process.

Organic Farming

How do you know about organic farming? In this article, we will explore various organic farming methods. Organic farming methods emphasize the use of renewable resources and conservation of soil and water. It all starts with good soil. The right mix of soil leads to healthier crops and animals, reduces their susceptibility to disease, and increases the overall productivity of the farm. Common techniques used by organic farmers to manage soil quality -- which involves not just the soil itself but also water, weeds, disease and pests -- include the use of animal manure, compost, cover crops, green manures and crop rotation.

Compost is organic material used with success in both home gardens and farms. It is made of decaying and decayed organic wastes and is spread on garden beds and organically farmed fields. Examples include:
* Yard trimmings -- wood chips, grass clippings and leaves
* Food waste -- coffee grounds, tea bags, and fruits and vegetables
* Manures -- poultry, cow and horse

Using compost can encourage beneficial bacteria and fungi to grow, helping to create nutrient-rich, moist soil while also eliminating or reducing the need for chemical fertilizers.
Green manures and cover crops also improve soil quality. Plants are grown specifically to benefit the soil and the main crops on the farm -- farmers choose from a variety of cover crop plants depending on the needs of their fields.

Cover crops in general are used to protect the soil's surface from water and wind erosion, help maintain soil structure, and help maintain the level of organic matter of the soil, all of which keeps soil healthy. Green manure is a type of cover crop grown specifically to add nutrients back into the soil; manure is plowed together with the soil, positively increasing the soil's organic matter.
Cover crops are also used in place of conventional pesticides to keep weeds at bay and as a distraction to pests. Have you ever noticed that weeds always seem to take over a bare patch of your lawn? They flourish where no other plants are growing in their way. Cover crops take up space where weeds would love to make their home. The idea behind using cover crops in pest control is to both lure beneficial pests, such as ladybugs, to the field all year round and to deter unwanted pests from the main crops by offering an attractive and tasty alternative.

Crop rotations are also part of the strategy organic farmers use to help sustain soil fertility. For example, this year an organic farmer may grow wheat on a field, graze sheep on that field next, and plan to plant a cover crop of clover the year after. When the same crop is grown on the same land year after year, known as mono-cropping, the soil can become depleted of nutrients it needs to stay healthy. Variety here really is the spice of life.

There is also a variety of sustainable and organic management techniques used in raising livestock, depending on the types of animals on the farm.