There was a long-awaited anticipation when first arriving at the Maine Compost School, spots fill up quick due to its national popularity and my coworkers have continuously raved about the knowledge gained every chance they get. I was one of only four people from Maine in the room, while others had traveled from far and wide, some even coming from Canada, to gain expertise from this renowned school. My coworkers promised it would be a deep dive into composting that would give me a solid grasp of why Coast of Maine Organic Products has been so successful, and they weren’t exaggerating. It was an intense week packed with hands-on learning, fascinating field trips, and a flood of information about the science and art of composting.
The Maine Compost School teaches that composting is more than just letting food scraps, animal byproducts and yard waste break down. It’s a complex, natural process that transforms raw organic materials into a nutrient-rich, biologically stable soil additive—ideal for nourishing plants and crops.
The Coast of Maine Story
The connection between Coast of Maine and composting started in the mid-1990s when Carlos and Jean Quijano, our founders, noticed how much organic material from lobster shells were ending up in landfills in the state of Maine.
They saw an opportunity to turn this waste into something valuable, but first, they needed the right training. Carlos attended the Maine Compost School, where he learned the ins and outs of composting, from simple backyard piles to large-scale windrows. That knowledge helped shape Coast of Maine’s innovative approach to sustainable, seafood-based compost.
The Basics: How Composting Works
At its core, composting relies on a symphony of microbes that break down organic matter. These microorganisms—mainly bacteria, fungi, and actinomycetes—work together to transform waste into rich compost. Each plays a critical role in the breakdown process, and understanding their needs helps us produce high-quality compost. Here’s what we learned about microbial nutritional requirements:
- Carbon: This provides energy and builds microbial biomass, essential for fueling composting activity.
- Nitrogen: Vital for creating proteins and amino acids, nitrogen makes up about 50% of microbial mass.
- Oxygen: Key for aerobic (oxygen-loving) microbes, which are crucial to the decomposition process.
- Moisture: Maintaining the right moisture level ensures microbes can stay active.
- pH: Composting works best around a neutral pH of 7 and typically finishes at a slightly alkaline level around 8.
Key Topics from the Compost School
The week covered a lot, from the science of compost to the various systems and techniques used by composters. Here’s a breakdown of what to expect:
- On-site Workshops: We analyzed various compost piles to identify their core issues. Our instructors had prepared these piles a week prior, and our task was to determine which ones required additional carbon or nitrogen sources to optimize the composting process.
- Compost Feedstocks: These are the essential ingredients needed in a compost pile to ensure a balanced breakdown. A good mix of carbon and nitrogen-rich materials sets the stage for effective composting.
- Composting Equipment: We reviewed the essential tools needed to manage and maintain a compost pile or windrow.
- Field Trips: Seeing different composting sites and processes in action reinforced everything we were learning in the classroom. From small setups to industrial operations, each site showed how composting can be tailored to different needs and scales.
Types of Compost Systems
Another highlight was learning about the different types of composting systems. Each setup has pros and cons depending on your space, time, and goals:
- Passively Aerated Windrow: A low-maintenance system that allows air to flow naturally.
- Static Pile: An undisturbed pile that takes longer to break down.
- Aerated Static Pile: Uses air forced through the pile to accelerate decomposition.
- Bin System (aka “Maryland System”): Typically uses three bins to manage different stages of compost.
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Backyard Systems:
- Lobster trap wire can be used to fence in piles, adding a Maine touch to home composting.
- Tumbler: Ideal for those with limited space who want quicker results.
Benefits of Compost in Soil
We carefully select the type of compost added to our soils based on specific needs, maximizing both short-term and long-term benefits. For instance, oyster shells are an ideal additive for planting trees and shrubs because the fragments aerate the soil and add calcium as they break down, promoting strong root development and long-term soil health. That’s why we crafted our Penobscot Blend Planting Mix with oyster shells—to ensure it meets the unique requirements of trees and shrubs, supporting their growth now and for years to come. To wrap things up let's go over the overall benefits of adding compost into soil!
Short-term effects:
- Increased biological activity
- Increase in transient/temporary aggregation
- Some improvement in soil structure tilth (fluffiness)
- Increase nutrient availability
Long-tern effects
- Increased biological diversity
- Increases in organic matter/ active fraction
- Increase in persistent aggregation
- Improved soil tilth: water holding capacity, infiltration, aeration, ease of tillage
The Maine Compost School was a powerful reminder of the vital role composting plays in creating healthy soil and supporting sustainable agriculture. This debrief is barely scratching the surface on the knowledge that was gained, if you'd like to learn more visit Maine Compost School for their next session. It reinforced the importance of the work we do at Coast of Maine—crafting high-quality compost that aligns with nature's own processes. Our commitment to composting goes beyond just making great products; it’s about nurturing the soil, empowering gardeners, and contributing to a healthier planet for everyone.
Author: Gabi Sott, Marketing and Sustainability Associate at Coast of Maine Organic Products
