Farms: WSU Compost Outreach Project, Part 2: Learning from the Farmers

Agriculture has the potential to be a large market for commercial compost and Western Washington farmers are continually exploring options for maintaining soil quality. Local compost producers accept curbside-collected food and yard waste and produce compost on a large scale, sometimes dealing with quantities they cannot sell. The Washington State University Snohomish County Extension, Compost in Agriculture Outreach Project began in 2011 with the goal of creating a functioning market for commercial compost in agriculture and explaining the benefits of diversifying soil nutrient sources for a balanced approach to soil fertility. The project has conducted over sixty on-farm compost research and demonstration trials in Snohomish County, WA. Correspondence with participating farmers has revealed varying degrees of success among compost trials and has pinpointed several barriers to adopting compost use including price, time and equipment needed for spreading, plastic contamination in compost, and more. This film introduces us to several farmers participating in the compost trials and explores their attitudes and perceptions about using compost. Additionally the film explores long-term benefits of compost use by highlighting scientific data collected from winter wheat, planted in an area treated with compost in the previous season. Visit our website for more information on the project! www.snohomish.wsu.edu/compost