The Agresource Dispatch
Volume 1, Spring 2001, Page 4

COMPOST MANUFACTURING AT ITS BEST

AGRESOURCE, INC. manufactures compost using the highest levels of compost technology available. The in-vessel, agitated bed technology provided by IPS uses computer controls to manage compost temperatures; this is combined with daily mechanized agitation of the entire compost mass which provides for thorough mixing and insures that uniform composting conditions are maintained.

An agitator moves on tracks to thoroughly mix AGRESOIL COMPOST.
Blowers force air to maintain optimum composting conditions.
The fully enclosed facilities also allow for a consistent product to be produced year round due to protection from rain, snow and seasonal temperature changes. This also guarantees that the compost has met all regulatory requirements. Compost customers can be assured that compost of a uniform and consistent quality is available at all times.

Equally important to the technological advantages of these enclosed facilities, is the experienced professional operators. Operators are responsible for seeing that reliable ingredients are used and that the manufacturing process is monitored and controlled all along the way.

Ingredients
Control of ingredients is a key to success in all manufacturing processes and compost is no exception. At these agitated bed facilities, operators use a constant mixture of biosolids (solids recovered from the treatment of wastewater) and fine virgin wood. Due to the daily agitation of the compost, a fine wood chip or sawdust is used to provide good porosity and a proper balance of carbon.

Experienced operators mix in accordance with an established recipe, making minor adjustments as necessary to obtain an optimal C:N ratio and moisture content. No other ingredients, such as waste paper, ash, or other residuals that may lead to irregular physical or chemical properties, are used at these facilities.

Manufacturing
Consistent product quality is obtained by monitoring and regulating the composting process. Computer controls constantly monitor compost temperatures and adjust the amount of air that is forced up through the compost. The air provides oxygen not only insuring that aerobic conditions are maintained, but also—and equally important—guaranteeing that temperatures are within the range necessary for the destruction of all pathogens and weed seeds.

In addition to relying on computer generated data operators regularly take hand measurements of the compost temperatures to insure that temperatures throughout the compost pile are in line with good practice.

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