1. Land Application

2. Presentation 11: The Composting Toolkit Funded by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management Recycling Grants Program Developed by the Indiana Rural Community Assistance Program - RCAP

3. Land Application Land application is the direct incorporation of raw, uncomposted leaves, grass, and other non-woody landscape wastes into the soil. Land application is the direct incorporation of raw, uncomposted leaves, grass, and other non-woody landscape wastes into the soil. The raw yard waste decomposes slowly over a period of time and becomes incorporated back into the soil. The raw yard waste decomposes slowly over a period of time and becomes incorporated back into the soil.

4. Benefits of Land Application Land application returns valuable organic matter to the soil and keeps it out of disposal facilities. Land application returns valuable organic matter to the soil and keeps it out of disposal facilities. Because the materials are directly incorporated into the soil you “cut out the middleman” from needing to market and/or distribute the end product. Because the materials are directly incorporated into the soil you “cut out the middleman” from needing to market and/or distribute the end product.

5. Challenges with Land Application Must be managed so as to prevent any aesthetic or environmental problems Must be managed so as to prevent any aesthetic or environmental problems Runoff, leachate, and odors must all be considered Runoff, leachate, and odors must all be considered Only an option if material is incorporated into the soil long before a crop is planted Only an option if material is incorporated into the soil long before a crop is planted The material being incorporated needs to be uniform and free of all contaminants. The material being incorporated needs to be uniform and free of all contaminants.

6. Decomposition Process Decomposition takes place in an uncontrolled manner, soil characteristics such as temperature, moisture, oxygen levels, and carbon-to-nitrogen ratio can fluctuate. Decomposition takes place in an uncontrolled manner, soil characteristics such as temperature, moisture, oxygen levels, and carbon-to-nitrogen ratio can fluctuate. Decomposition of land-applied materials occurs somewhat differently than the controlled activity of a windrow process. Land-applied landscape waste is first degraded near the soil surface by macro-organisms such as earthworms and soil insects. Once these larger organisms reduce the size and consume some of the material, smaller organisms begin decomposing the material at low temperatures and relatively slow rates. Decomposition of land-applied materials occurs somewhat differently than the controlled activity of a windrow process. Land-applied landscape waste is first degraded near the soil surface by macro-organisms such as earthworms and soil insects. Once these larger organisms reduce the size and consume some of the material, smaller organisms begin decomposing the material at low temperatures and relatively slow rates.

7. Application Rates Most studies of application rates have been conducted on corn fields. The following is a summary of three studies of interest: Most studies of application rates have been conducted on corn fields. The following is a summary of three studies of interest: Barrington, IL: 10 tons of leaves per acre or 5 tons of grass clippings per acre Barrington, IL: 10 tons of leaves per acre or 5 tons of grass clippings per acre A.E. Peterson: 20 – 40 tons of leaves per acre A.E. Peterson: 20 – 40 tons of leaves per acre New Jersey: 3-inch layer of leaves chisel plowed into the soil New Jersey: 3-inch layer of leaves chisel plowed into the soil

8. Application Timetable For Leaves: Apply in the fall. A number of studies recommend adding supplemental Nitrogen to aid decomposition. For Leaves: Apply in the fall. A number of studies recommend adding supplemental Nitrogen to aid decomposition. For Grass Clippings: Apply at least six weeks prior to a crop planting. For Grass Clippings: Apply at least six weeks prior to a crop planting. For finished yard waste: Apply prior to crop plantings. One study recommended adding supplemental Nitrogen to prevent the compost from up-taking soil Nitrogen needed by the food crop. For finished yard waste: Apply prior to crop plantings. One study recommended adding supplemental Nitrogen to prevent the compost from up-taking soil Nitrogen needed by the food crop.

9. Facility Registration Required Just like with composting facilities, the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) requires the registration of large scale land application programs. Just like with composting facilities, the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) requires the registration of large scale land application programs.

10. Technical Assistance It is wise to consult with experts in the field of soil studies before carrying out a land application program. Resources include: It is wise to consult with experts in the field of soil studies before carrying out a land application program. Resources include: Soil and Water Conservation District Soil and Water Conservation District County Extension County Extension

11. QUESTIONS?

12. Thank You! Additional Questions, Comments, or You Think You Have A Potential Pilot Community Additional Questions, Comments, or You Think You Have A Potential Pilot Community Please Feel Free to Contact Me: Please Feel Free to Contact Me: Mark W. Davis Technical Assistance Provider Rural Community Assistance Program Office: 1-800-382-9895 Wireless: (812) 320-0720 E-mail: mdavis@incap.org