On-Farm Composting Handbook Table of Contents

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Table of Contents. These pages are scanned images. We apologize for any difficulty you have in reading them. You can purchase a complete copy of the On Farm Composting Handbook from NRAES.

Reprinted with permission from On-Farm Composting Handbook (NRAES-54). ©1992 by NRAES (Natural Resource, Agriculture, and Engineering Service). All rights reserved. For more information, please contact, (607)255-7654, or nraes@cornell.edu.

Figures & Tables

Figures; Tables
Introduction

Introduction
Using the Glossary and References Sections
Chapter 1

Benefits and Drawbacks
The Benefits
The Drawbacks
Chapter 2

The Composting Process
What Happens during Composting
Factors Affecting the Composting Process
Changes in Materials during Composting
Sidebar: Composting Microorganisms
Curing
Chapter 3

Raw Materials
Raw Materials Characteristics
Common Raw Materials for Farm Composting
Determining Composting Recipes
Sample Calculation
Testing Raw Materials for Composting
Chapter 4

Composting Methods
Passive Composting of Manure Piles
Windrow Composting
Passively Aerated Windrows
Aerated Static Pile
Sample Calculation: Aerated Static Pile-Aeration System Design
In-Vessel Composting
Summary: Comparing the Composting Methods
Sidebar: Poultry Carcass Composting
Chapter 5

Composting Operations
Raw Material Storage and Handling
Grinding/Shredding
Mixing and Pile Windrow Formation
Curing, Storage, and Compost Handling
Screening
Drying
Bagging
Chapter 6

Management
Safety and Health
Season and Weather Management
Process Monitoring and Troubleshooting
Odor Control
Nitrogen Conservation
Determining When Active Composting is Finished
Manure Management with Composting
Sidebar: Using Compost for Livestock Bedding and Poultry Litter
Chapter 7

Site and Environmental Considerations
Site Selection
Separation Distances
Drainage Requirements
Environmental Considerations
Facilities
Area Requirements
Sidebar: General Environmental Regulations
Chapter 8

Using Compost
Benefits of Compost
Compost Quality
Measuring the Quality of Compost
When is Compost Ready to Use?
Using Compost for Container Crops and Potting Mixes
Using Compost as a Soil Amendment for Gardens and Field Crops
Sidebar: Using Compost for Plant Disease Control
Chapter 9

Marketing Agricultural Compost
Farm Compost's Market Position
Evaluating and Developing the End User Market
Bag versus Bulk Sales
Selling Your Product
Chapter 10

Farm Composting Economics: Focus on Production Costs
General Production Costs
Comparative Costs of Composting Methods
Case Studies
Chapter 11

Other Options for Waste Management and Composting
Direct Land application and Other Land-Based Methods
Anaerobic Digestion/Biogas Production
Vermicomposting
Recycling Wastes as Livestock Bedding and Poultry Litter
Home or Back Yard Composting
Leaf and Yard Waste Composting
Appendix A

Characteristics of Raw Materials
Appendix B

Equipment Tables
Windrow-turning equipment
Grinding/shredding equipment
Commercial mixing equipment
Commercial screening equipment
Commercial composting systems
Equipment manufacturers and suppliers
Temperature probe distributors
Appendix C

Troubleshooting and Management Guide
Appendix D

Work Sheets and Forms

Sample temperature monitoring forms
Compost pad area calculation
Appendix E

Environmental Agencies

State environmental agencies
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regional offices
Appendix F

Metric Conversions
Glossary: Glossary

Suggested Readings


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