In this section you’ll find information about all the different pieces for setting up a compost system, from regulations to feedstock sourcing to understanding different system choices and deciding which is best for your farm. We also discuss how to determine what feedstocks to accept, define what “community-oriented composting” means to you, and provide communication and outreach strategies for establishing a successful system.

  • Here you’ll find general guidelines, applicable to all locations, as well as recorded conversations with regulators in Vermont and New Hampshire.

  • [COMING SOON]

    Here we cover the basics of compost recipes so you can determine potential feedstock volume. We introduce an activity to help identify your assets (tools, equipment, established communities, etc.) and brainstorm where to source feedstocks (nitrogen & carbon materials), building materials, buckets, and more. Talking with your community to gauge interest in bringing you food scraps is an important step!

  • Having an idea of the resources you have access to, and some scale of the volume of material that you hope to compost helps identify the right system for your farm. Here we introduce different compost systems and discuss advantages and disadvantages based on people power vs. mechanized power (like a tractor), space, and siting & volume considerations. Learn more.

  • [COMING SOON] At this point, you already have a sense of who in your community is interested in bringing you food scraps, manure, bedding, leaves, and other feedstocks, and you should already have the compost system in place. Now’s the time to think about how you’ll collect or receive your compost feedstocks, and to develop clear communication with your community.

Resources for Farmers

Getting started with food scrap composting

Understanding Regulations

We provide general guidelines and where to find information, applicable to all locations. We also share recorded conversations with agriculture and solid waste regulators in Vermont and New Hampshire.

What resources do you have access to?

Here we cover the basics of compost recipes so you can determine potential feedstock volume. We introduce an activity to help identify your assets (tools, equipment, established communities) and brainstorm where to source feedstocks (nitrogen & carbon materials), building materials, buckets, and more. Talking with your community to gauge interest in bringing you food scraps is an important step!

Choosing the right compost system

Having an idea of the resources you have access to, and some scale of the volume of material that you hope to compost helps identify the right system for your farm. Here we introduce different compost systems and discuss advantages and disadvantages based on people power vs. mechanized power (like a tractor), space, and siting & volume considerations.

Inviting your community to participate

At this point, you already have a sense of who in your community is interested in bringing you food scraps, manure, bedding, leaves, and other feedstocks, and you should already have the compost system in place. Now’s the time to think about how you’ll collect or receive your compost feedstocks, and to develop clear communication with your community.