Compost

Midwest Bio Energy

A Renewable Resources Company

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This area of Iowa and Illinois has a large number of farmers raising animals, including cattle, horses and swine. One of the natural results of this activity is the need to manage the collection and disposal of large amounts of animal waste. As one of these growers we continue to look for ways to manage this waste to reduce odors, control the application of manure to fields so that the ground is not over-burdened with high concentrations of fertilizer and the resulting impact on the waters from runoff. In addition, from a practical view we would like to reduce the time, effort and capital expense of removing the waste to the fields.

We have merged two operations - the wood recycling effort and the animal waste control effort, into one new venture to make compost or Humus. This process will allow us to make a fertilizer to support the farm operation, and reduce our need to spread manure on the fields.

What is Compost?

Composting is a natural biological process, carried out under controlled aerobic conditions (requires oxygen). In this process, various microorganisms, including bacteria and fungi, break down organic matter into simpler substances. The effectiveness of the composting process is dependent upon the environmental conditions present within the composting system i.e. oxygen, temperature, moisture, material disturbance, organic matter and the size and activity of microbial populations.

Composting is not a mysterious or complicated process. Natural recycling (composting) occurs on a continuous basis in the natural environment. Organic matter is metabolized by microorganisms and consumed by invertebrates. The resulting nutrients are returned to the soil to support plant growth.

Composting is relatively simple to manage, can be carried out on a wide range of scales in almost any indoor or outdoor environment and in almost any geographic location. It has the potential to manage most of the organic material in the waste stream including restaurant waste, leaves and yard wastes, farm waste, animal manure, animal carcasses, paper products, sewage sludge, wood etc. and can be easily incorporated into any waste management plan.