Projects and Campaigns > West Marin Compost Project
West Marin Compost Project
| Benefits |
| Water Quality |
Composting converts nitrogen and phosphorous into stable forms, destroys pathogens and reduces surface runoff when applied to soils. By composting we should see a significant improvement in water quality at both the dairy and equestrian locations. |
| Air Quality |
Green and equestrian waste hauling will be reduced by about 3,200 hours/year, reducing traffic and fuel consumption and greenhouse gases and improving West Marin air quality. |
| Land |
As farms and ranches use the compost to enhance their soils we'll also see enhanced soil and water conservation. And don't forget the annual sequestration of about 6,000 tons of atmospheric carbon in the soil! |
| Sustainability |
The compost project will improve ecological and economic sustainability for West Marin through conservation of resources and improved soil and water quality. |
| Landfills |
The life of our landfills will be extended due to the redirection and reuse of green wastes in compost. |
| Climate Change |
By reducing miles driven to move green wastes and eliminating the use of fossil fuel-based fertilizers the compost project helps reduce harmful greenhouse gases. |
| Technology Transfer |
The results of our demonstration project will be a model for other agricultural operations and communities thanks to outreach efforts of the UC Extension Service, Marin Organic, and the County Agricultural Commissioner's Office. |
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| Possible Impacts |
| Visual |
Operations will not be visible from public roads to prevent visual impacts. |
| Environmental |
This project follows the model of the successful, ten year old Bolinas/Stinson Resource Recovery Project which has had no negative environmental impacts. |
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This public-private partnership helps West Marin protect air and water quality and improve ecological and economic sustainability by collecting local green wastes at a local dairy and co-composting them with West Marin equestrian and dairy wastes. the finished compost will be recycled within the community as livestock bedding and a soil amendment.
The project is administered by the Marin Resource Conservation District (RCD). Financial aid and in-kind support comes from:
- USDA-NRCS Conservation Innovation Grant Program
- Lafranchi Family Dairy
- Lunny Grading and Paving, Inc.
- University of California Extension Service
- Marin Organic
- Marin County Agricultural Commissioner
- Marin County
- West Marin Compost Coalition
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