The Pennsylvania Resources Council is seeking farmers interested in forming composting cooperatives.

A nonprofit organization, the Pennsylvania Resources Council, was founded in 1939. Since the 1970s, most of its work has been in recycling. Beginning in 2006, the council started working with restaurants, supermarkets and haulers in the Greater Pittsburgh area to divert food waste to composting facilities.

The council is hoping to recruit farmers to partner with them to form several small composting cooperatives. The council's plan includes application for a USDA cooperative business development grant in late June to help with the development of the cooperatives.

On-farm composting provides a reliable source of a valuable soil amendment. Compost has been proven to:

• Provide macro and micro nutrients required by all crops and pastures;

• Provide these in available forms, released gradually over time;

• Increase the water holding capacity of sandy soils and the infiltration of clay soils, reducing irrigation needs;

• Support larger and more diverse populations of earthworms and other soil organisms;

• Increase soil organic matter;

• Improve yields and yield security;

• Reduce need for purchased fertilizers and biocides.

According to Nick Shorr of the Pennsylvania Natural Resources Council, as a participating composting facility, farms receive two income streams.

The first one is a "Tipping fee" from food-waste generators such as restaurants and supermarkets. Depending on the volume and frequency of incoming waste, and the division of fees between hauler and composter, these fees can range anywhere between $100 and $1,000 per week.

The second is sales of finished compost beyond the needs of the cooperative members. Depending on the rate of production, cooperative member use and price sales of compost, generating income up to $600 per week.

A facility for on-farm composting needs a relatively flat to gently sloping area about one-quarter to one-half acre in size. The composting site should be located near a paved road for easy truck access. Composting sites also need to be located 100 feet from a stream or wetland and 300 feet from an occupied dwelling or water source.

Labor requirements are modest, but regular. On average, incoming loads of food waste will be delivered 2 to 3 days per week. As the loads are received, they should be mixed into a windrow pile the same day. Windrows need to be turned and mixed every couple weeks. Depending on the length of the windrow and equipment used, mixing the windrows will take about an hour of the farmer's time.

The Pennsylvania Resource Council, with the USDA grant, will provide the following support for cooperating farms:

• Overview of regulatory requirements for on-farm composting in PA;

• Help in understanding and filling out the paperwork;

• Technical assistance in planning and setting-up the operation;

• Funds to purchase necessary equipment and machinery;

• Help in drafting a contract among farmers participating in the cooperative;

• Locate an appropriate and interested independent hauler;

• Help in negotiating contracts among the hauler, the waste generators and the farmer co-op that are mutually acceptable and advantageous;

• Help the hauler build a "dense" route of organic waste generators that would include a good mix of feedstock for quality compost;

• Ongoing technical assistance and trouble-shooting over the first few months of operation.

If you would like to learn more about forming a food waste composting cooperative, contact Nick Shorr at the Pennsylvania Resources Council at 412-488-7490, Ext. 232, or e-mail at nicks@ccicenter.org.

This material is submitted by Donna Zang, extension director, and the staff of the Penn State Extension office at the Sunnyview Nursing and Rehabilitation Center complex.