The summary of ‘Static Aerated Composting System For Organic Farms’

The video discusses the challenges of sourcing compost for a farm and introduces a static aerated compost system to address these issues. The system aims to optimize composting processes and meet organic certification standards. Key points include maintaining airflow and pressure in composting, utilizing a bouncy house blower for aeration control, and emphasizing the importance of water in microbial activities. The speaker also touches on composting efficiency, equipment needs, and the potential long-term cost savings. The video wraps up with gratitude towards viewers and a mention of the speaker's book, "The Living Soil Handbook."

00:00:00

In this segment of the video, the speaker discusses the challenges they face with sourcing compost for their farm and the increasing costs associated with it. They have decided to build a static aerated compost system, also known as aerated static pile (ASP), to address these challenges. The system is tractor-free and is expected to expedite the composting process. The speaker highlights the importance of using NOP compliant compost due to their organic certification. They mention support through Patreon and provide a time marker for viewers who are solely interested in setting up the static aerated compost system.

00:03:00

In this part of the video, the speaker discusses the inspiration behind their powered root washer project and the goal of creating thermophilic compost for mulching. They explain the organic certification requirements for compost containing manure, emphasizing the need to maintain specific temperatures and follow protocols for turning the compost pile. The speaker aims to meet these standards to produce quality compost efficiently.

00:06:00

In this segment of the video, the content discusses static aeration for composting. The static aeration method aims to maintain consistent temperatures and evenly distribute oxygen for aerobic organisms involved in decomposition. By not requiring the pile to be turned, it is believed to expedite the composting process. The system involves using PVC pipes, a blower, and drainage pipes to create aeration channels in the compost pile. It is suggested that using 6-inch PVC pipes for better airflow could be beneficial. The setup involves specific lengths of PVC and drainage pipes, with options for modifications like drilling holes in the drainage pipes for better airflow concentration. Caps and taping pipes to limit air loss are mentioned as techniques, but removing the pipes before harvesting the compost may also be necessary for some users.

00:09:00

In this segment of the video, the focus is on the process of maintaining air flow and pressure in a composting system. The speaker emphasizes the importance of using a bouncy house blower and a programmable cycle timer to control airflow. Tips include starting with wood chips to diffuse oxygen, layering materials over pipes, and ensuring proper ventilation for the blower. It is advised to adjust blower run times based on compost temperature. The goal is to reduce labor in composting, although manual labor is still required for material handling. The suggested carbon-nitrogen ratio is around 30:1, with the speaker using partially composted food scraps and blood meal. Water is highlighted as crucial for microbial activities in the composting process.

00:12:00

In this segment of the video, the speaker discusses the composting process, emphasizing the need for water, heat generation, and water holding capacity in soil. They mention the importance of tracking temperatures and materials used in the compost pile for inspections. The speaker also outlines a system involving moving compost to mature and setting up new piles, highlighting the potential efficiency if using equipment like a skid steer. They express the goal of creating diversified compost and mention obtaining approval from organic certifiers. The speaker acknowledges the system’s initial cost but highlights the potential long-term cost savings.

00:15:00

In this part of the video, the content creator expresses gratitude for viewers and mentions their book, “The Living Soil Handbook,” available on no-tillgrowers.com. They highlight that purchasing the book from them directly supports creating more content like this. The video ends with a thank you and goodbye message.