1. James River Correctional Center Department of Agribusiness and Enterprises S.V. Pruett, Warden

2. Grade A Dairy 305 Day Milk: 30,872 pounds

5. Milk Processing Plant: 12,600 Gallons Processed per Week

6. Commercial cow-calf operation & sire proving program: 1300 cross bred brood cow herd

15. In Vessel Composter JRCC State Farm, Virginia

18. Beef Pastures Once cattle is taken off field, manure is spread across the fields with a pasture “drag” This incorporates the manure into the field for fertilization This procedure disturbs breeding sites of flies

19. Why Recycle Food Waste?

21. Why Compost Food Waste? Environmentally friendly – food waste does not go into landfills Cost to remove waste from JRCC, JRWC, DMCC and PCC over $200,000 per year DOC pays by the pound to remove waste from facilities Food waste is the largest contributor to the dumpster – from kitchen waste and inmate plate waste

23. History of Composter Canadian technology – Wright Environmental Management, Inc. 4 years for development, budgeting and construction phases JRCC is pilot program for DOC All DOC institutions will eventually have a composter on site

24. In Vessel composters can be found in New York DOC facilities 55 composters are located in Canada, the United Kingdom and USA The largest composter to date is located at Walt Disney world in Florida

25. Costs Equipment cost was $175,000 DOC total cost was $600,000 due to additional DEQ regulations and requirements Anticipated cost of next unit: $300,000

26. Construction Concrete pad with four drains DEQ required a total containment system There are no written regulations for In- Vessel composting – additional precautions taken, which raised costs Environmental engineer hired on contract to address certain aspects of construction

28. Wood Chips Made from dried crushed wood pallets Chips should be free of water, and kept dry at all times Size of chip is important – too fine of a chip will clog conveyor

29. Why Wood Chips? Wood gives off carbon – energy source Microorganisms require 1 part nitrogen to 30 parts carbon for growth and activity Oxygen: 12% for aerobic conditions Final products of decomposition: CO2, H2O, NH3, nitrates and cell biomass Keep the system aerobic: faster decomposition, less smell, more heat

31. Requirements of “Bugs” “FAT TOM” F: Food (Nutrients) A: Acidity (pH neutral at 6-8) T: Temperature (131 degrees F. ) T: Time (Minimum 72 hours) O: Oxygen (Aeration) M: Moisture (40%-70%)

32. Operation of Composter One operator – 2 inmates 5 days per week Unit is made of stainless steel Two cycles: 14 or 28 days Unit holds 2000-4000 pounds of waste/day

33. Procedure Food waste is saved in 62 gallon containers Food waste is mixed 60 wood/40 food, 55% - 65% moisture by weight Mixture is dumped into hopper

40. Challenges to Composting Water in waste containers must be limited to 60% or less Food waste bins vary in composition of food types and water Excess water in food clogs the conveyor unit Non food trash placed into bins Training of food staff

41. Wood chips: if too fine or wet can clog conveyor system. Chips often contain too much water, or are the wrong size Once clogged – operator must climb into composter to unclog Shaker unit clogs – chips hard to separate out Unit can freeze in winter Slight smell

44. Aeration and Water Addition Water from the food is drained into the bottom of the unit, then pumped back up onto the food daily 7 days into cycle mixture is at center of unit. Spinners aerate mixture and add fresh water Water is also used to decrease temperatures if mixture gets too hot

51. Bunker System 3 bunkers allow for rotation of mulch 1 st bunker holds mulch for 30 days Transferred to 2 nd and 3 rd bunker after 30 day holding, and aerated Temperatures taken daily If temperature is within 20 degrees F. of outside temperature, then mulch is ready for use. Testing occurs.

52. Monitoring Temperatures of mixture in composter taken daily Compost must maintain a temperature of 131 degrees F. for a minimum of 72 hours Pathogen testing pH testing

56. Validation of System Microbiological and pH tests are performed by DEQ Unannounced quarterly inspections completed by DEQ Licensing is required to operate unit Operator must be licensed

57. Uses for Mulch Flower beds Mulch helps to keep weeds and bugs out of garden Mulch keeps dirt from packing which allows air to reach the plant root

59. Use on Fields Spread 6 inches deep on fields Disc mulch into field dirt Can be used on crops for cattle such as barley, soybean and corn.

63. PLEASE Recycle !