TLE 10

Quarter 1 – Module 1:
Organic Agriculture
Lesson 1 – Prepare composting area
and raw materials

· LO. 1 Select site based on compost

fertilizer production requirement
 Organic farming/agriculture
is a method of crop and
livestock production that
involves much more than
choosing not to use pesticides,
fertilizers, genetically modified
organisms, antibiotics and
growth hormones.
 Organic production
is a holistic system designed to
create a harmonious
relationship between people
and environment, farming and
agroecosystem, including
protection of soil organisms,
plants, and livestock.
 The principal goal of organic
production is to develop
enterprises that are sustainable
and
consistent with a natural
perpetuation of species and
environment.
 Organic agriculture
is defined as a production system
that is managed to respond to site
specific conditions by integrating
cultural, biological and mechanical
practices that foster cycling of
resources, promote ecological
balance and conserve biodiversity.
 The fundamental principles of
organic farming are as follows:

· to view the farm as a single

system or "organism" that exists
within
the context of a local ecosystem;
 ·to protect the balance of
relationships within the farm’s
own system,
as well as those existing
between the farm’s system and
the
surrounding ecosystem;
· to maintain a marked degree of
biodiversity within the system, so as
to promote the control of parasites
and destructive organism
· to make maximum use of solar
energy and to reduce the use of all
types of external input to an
absolute minimum.
 · to encourage the biological
cyclicity of the natural system,
paying
particular attention to the cycle
of organic substances, so as to
promote humification;
Composting
is an inexpensive, natural
process that transforms your
kitchen and garden waste into
a valuable and nutrient rich
food for your garden. It's easy
to make and use.
 Pictures of the materials required in composting.

Leaves Manure Food Scraps Pet Bedding from Herbivores

Grass Clippings Brush Trimming Old Wine Dry Cat or Dog Food
 Composting
is a form of waste disposal where
organic waste
decomposes naturally under
oxygen-rich conditions.
Composting
is a topic
of growing interest in schools
throughout the country.
Why composting?

There are a number of reasons.

Composting provides a partial solution to an
issue of great concern in many communities.
All around the country, landfills are filling up,
garbage incineration is becoming increasingly
unpopular, and other waste disposal options
are becoming ever harder to find.
Composting provides a way not only
of reducing the amount of waste
that needs to be disposed of, but
also of converting it into a product
that is useful for gardening,
landscaping, or house plants.
By addressing the solid waste issue,
composting provides a way of instilling
in children a sense of environmental
stewardship. Many educational
programs focus on reducing, reusing,
and recycling our solid wastes.
Composting fits in with this idea but
takes it a step beyond.
With composting, children can do more than just sending
cans or newspapers off for recycling -- they can see the
entire cycle, from "yucky" food scraps or other organic
wastes....
To something that is
pleasant to handle and is good for the soil. Contrary to
the "out of sight, out of mind" philosophy, children who
compost become aware of organic wastes as potential
resources rather than just as something "gross" to be
thrown away and forgotten. They learn through direct
experience that they personally can make a difference
and have a positive effect on the environment.
 Benefits of Composting
Enriches soil, helping retain moisture and
suppress plant diseases and pests.
Reduces the need for chemical fertilizers.
Encourages the production of beneficial
bacteria and fungi that break down
organic matter to create humus,
a rich nutrient-filled material.
 Compost Site Selection
According to the Livestock Manure
and Mortalities Management
Regulation: 15.1
(1) No person shall compost
livestock mortalities on the property
of an
agricultural operation unless
1. The composting site is located at least
100m from
1. Any surface watercourse,
sinkhole, spring or well, and
2. The operation's boundaries
2. The mortalities are composted in a
manner that does not cause
pollution of surface water, groundwater or
soil; and
3. The composting facilities and
process are acceptable to the
director
Incorrect compost site selection
can cause major problems, both
in the short and long term.
 Other Considerations in Site Selection
Size
All weather access road
Traffic patterns
Equipment
Utility
Bulking agent/cover material (storage and availability)
Surface and groundwater protection (site should be
located on
compacted soil or impervious surface)
Future expansion
Aesthetics
Wind direction
General Area Requirements for Compost Site
selection
· Depends on Compost technology (windrows
or in vessel)
· Throughput
· Raw material storagexiv
· Space for finished product
· Buffer areas (odour, noise, pollution
control)
· Holding ponds
 Fire lane
· Truck queuing
· Vehicle parking
· Future expansion
· Biofilter (could be 50% of total
surface area for composting)
 Qualities of a good Compost site.
1. Compost should be dark brown in colour with
profuse fire fangs.
2. Compost should have moisture percentage of
about 68-70 percent.
3. pH of the compost should be in the range of
7.2-7.8.
4. There should not be any smell of ammonia.
5. It should not be sticky or greasy.
6. It should be free from insects and nematodes.
 What is the best location for a compost bin?
Ideally site your compost bin in a reasonably
sunny spot on
bare soil. The reason you should site your bin on
soil is that it makes it very
easy for beneficial microbes and insects to gain
access to the rotting
material. It also allows for better aeration and
drainage, both important to
successful composting.
 Why should a compost heap be sited under
the tree?
In fact, it may be better, because the pile will
dry out slower.
The compost and its leachates will be good
for the tree. I don't know about
apples in particular, but the tree will grow
roots up into the compost, and
you'll need to keep cutting them. On balance,
it still should be good for the
tree.
 What are the basic raw materials in
composting?
The most common raw materials used to
make compost are
yard wastes such as grass clippings, leaves,
weeds, and small prunings from
shrubs and trees. Most home garden compost
piles and municipal compost
facilities use yard wastes exclusively
because of the large volume of
materials available.
 Lesson Task 01.

•What is organic farming and why is it

important?

•How does organic farming help the

environment?

•How does organic farming improve soil and

water quality?