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Audio feature: Healthy eating boot camp
U of M hosts bioeconomy conference
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Welcome and Introduction to the Course –
Learning Objectives: Orientation to School.
Topics to cover: Welcome comments, introduce instructors, how the school will flow; introduce materials and exercises, share details of day 1, 2, and 3.
Pre-School Level of Knowledge Evaluation
Form Groups: Divide participants into groups of 6 students each. The group is required to function together for the rest of the school.
Sponsorship: Recognize UMN, Carver Co., R. W. Farms, MPCA, ISU, Others?
Introduction to the Composting Process –
Learning Objectives: What is Composting, why it happens, and how does the process flows? Understanding of microbial web that exists in aerobic composting. and the importance of these biological populations? How are the biology and environmental conditions of the compost process tied together?
Topics to cover: Introduction to the composting process, history, what can be composted (Ag, Industrial, and municipal wastes), phases of composting, process temperature profiles, time requirements for composting, introduction to C:N ratio, C:N ratios of different materials (point out in the handbook), Process requirements (Oxygen, Moisture, Particle Size, pH, Temperature, Turning), Summary of requirements of Thermophilic, Aerobic Composting. Composting process and the importance of maintaining biological populations, effect and existence of different populations during the various phases of composting, conditions affecting biological populations and briefly touching on how these conditions, if not maintained, lead to anaerobic biological populations. Pathogen control with temperature. (Handouts, web sites).
Matching Feedstocks and Technology to End Uses –
Learning Objectives: Understanding of different composting methodologies and feedstock/material properties? What will be the end use of the composted product?
Topics to cover: Composting methodologies: pre-treatment, active composting and curing, refining to meet the end user requirements, feedstock characteristics and methods of composting, solid state fermentation, introduction to recipe development and importance of this exercise.
Process Variables and Recipe Development –
Learning Objectives: How process variables impact the process of composting? How to develop recipe to maintain process performance?
Topics to cover: Discuss particle size, material strength for pile structure and volume, Carbon mass, nitrogen mass, moisture, oxygen, pH, and temperature. Effect of process variables on degradation rates. Mixing materials for C:N ratio and mixing materials for moisture balance. Mix sample calculations and recipe development, tools available for developing recipes.
Facility Layout, Management, and Design
- A Panel Discussion with Facility Managers
Learning Objectives: Learn how different composting facilities are planned, designed, and managed when utilizing different feedstocks and composting methods.
Topics to cover: Facility managers will present the layout, design, composting method, and feedstocks composted at their facility for about 10 minutes each. Four facility managers will be on the panel. After the presentations are done, the discussion will be open to participants to ask questions. All instructors will facilitate this process. Caution will be taken to keep the discussion objective and directed towards learning.
Use of Monitoring Equipment and Control Charts for Process Variables
Learning Objectives: Learn how different simple tools can be used to monitor process variables with the intent to verify process performance.
Topics to cover: Oxygen measurement methods, Temperature measuring tools, moisture measurements, Bulk Density measurements (traditional and compacted), data collection and development of daily reports, frequency of measurements, sample volumes and sizes. Outline of measurements to be taken over the three-day school for interpretations of process performance. Sample collection strategies from piles, windrows, bays, and equipment.
Introduction to Recipe Calculator –
Introduction to Outdoor Field Exercises – Building Compost Piles
Learning Objectives: Introduce the use of recipe calculator. Development of piles for monitoring of process performance for the school.
Topics to cover: Develop multiple feedstock recipes for the materials to be used.
Group Work: For developing of recipe, each group will be assigned to one instructor (with laptop) to work with a set of pre-defined materials. There will be 6-10 different materials available for use.
Break (move to the field and build test piles)
Pile Building Exercise: As soon as a group has developed their recipe, they will leave the class room and move outdoors to the pile building location. Two loaders will be available for building piles. Participants will mix the materials using pitch forks and scoop shovels. A water truck will be available for use to amend piles for moisture. Size of the piles will be limited to 5 cubic yards for appropriate use of materials. When the group is done, they can clean up and join the evening Dinner.
Hospitality Hour and Dinner -
Breakfast - On your Own
Monitor team compost piles and pre-made compost piles
– field exercise area Tom Halbach and Faculty
Collect samples from field exercise compost piles, Rebuilding of Piles
Learning Objectives: Pile monitoring and data collection.
Topics to cover: Check temperature and oxygen, perform bulk density test, and collect samples for moisture and maturity testing.
Classroom activities
Discuss Monitoring Results and Troubleshooting Strategies –
Learning Objectives: What does data indicate?
Topics to cover: Discuss temperature and oxygen readings, bulk density test results, and how does it relate to pile performance? What can be done to trouble shoot to enhance pile performance? Use of process data from each group to discuss how the pile will perform? Discuss potential end product quality, time to compost, turning requirements, etc.
Compost Quality Evaluation –
Learning Objectives: Compost Quality Issues and how to use data for evaluation?
Topics to cover: Discuss compost quality in terms pile performance, particle size, density, types of carbon sources and its availability, management effects on compost quality, and importance of monitoring the process water sampling
Material Testing Methods: H2O, EC, pH, O2, Bulk Density, Air Space –
Learning Objectives: What are the different test methods for use on-site and how does the lab perform them? Perform on-site tests.
Topics to cover: Prepare participants to perform tests in their own using the samples they collected earlier that morning.
Analyze samples and break -
Participants test materials for maturity using a variety of tests.
Lab Testing Procedures and Interpretation of Results –
Learning Objectives: How do results relate back to composting process?
Topics to cover: Discuss what are different lab testing procedures and how the data is to be interpreted in terms of electrical conductivity (soluble salts), man-made inert materials (plastic, glass, metals pieces, nails, etc.), seed germination tests, plant vigor tests, heavy metals content, nutrient content (N, P, K), C:N ratio of finished product, pathogens (fecal coliform, fecal streptococcus, salmonella), and other organic contaminants (pesticides, phenols, dioxins, PCBs, agricultural antibiotics).
Use of composted organics for storm water retention and erosion control –
Learning Objectives: Water retention characteristics of compost and its potential application for erosion control.
Topics to cover: Concepts of soil erosion, rain drop impact, to what extent is storm water runoff can be delayed and reduced, does it reduce interrill and rill erosion and to what extent, does the type of compost have an impact on it performance characteristics, does the presence of compost enhance or interfere with vegetation establishment.
Field Tour, City of Mayer Compost Site Tour -
Wright Compost Facility – A yard waste composting facility.
Learning Objectives: Learn facility design and process layout.
Topics to cover: Observe different process of composting operations: receiving, grinding, mixing, turning, curing, screening, and sales. Interact with facility operators for facility operations discussions, equipment performance, process control, data collection, analytical results, obstacles faced and resolutions adopted.
Monitor team compost piles and pre-made compost piles – field exercise area
Learning Objectives: Pile monitoring and data collection.
Topics to cover: Check temperature and oxygen, perform bulk density test, and collect any additional samples for further testing as desired.
Classroom activities
Compost pile judging –
Learning Objectives: Data comparisons and an understanding that composting happens over a range of values of process variables.
Topics to cover: Which piles are performing better that the others? Why is this important?
Compost – Some Case Studies – Compost as a Value added Product -
Learning Objectives: What is compost as a finished product and how do you best use it?
Topics to cover: Compost as a value added product, what it is, what it’s not, product/marketing principles, applications of compost, and benefits of compost.
Compost Marketing Program Implementation Options –
Learning Objectives: Development of a compost marketing plan.
Topics to cover: Product marketability, market/product positioning, investment, volume/value markets, bulk vs. bagged, distribution options, derivative products/blending.
Q&A / BREAK
Emerging Carbon Offset Credit Markets –
Learning Objectives: What are carbon offset credits and where does composting fit into this picture?
Topics to cover: Carbon as an element in nature, carbon cycle, carbon mass and fluxes, carbon credits, what are GHG emissions and how do they relate to carbon credits, carbon credit markets and trading floors, verification process, and future of carbon credits. Can you make money with them?
Compost Quality Issues –
Learning Objectives: How compost quality issues impact market share?
Topics to cover: Importance of specific characteristics, feedstocks vs. characteristics, realistic ranges, modifying characteristics, common mistakes.
Minnesota and other States Compost Rules –
Learning Objectives: Understanding of compost sale principles.
Topics to cover: The compost supplier, the compost sales person, sales tools and services, prospecting, lead generation.
Establishing a Market for your Compost – A Panel Discussion with Facility Managers
Learning Objectives: Learn how different composting facilities are selling and marketing their finished compost.
Topics to cover: Facility managers will present their product lines manufactured at their facility for about 10 minutes each. Three facility managers will be on the panel. After the presentations are done, the discussion will be open to participants to ask questions. All available instructors will facilitate this process. Caution will be taken to keep the discussion objective and directed towards learning.
Exam – All Instructors
School adjourns
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