A Community Compost project. For it, or against it?

Posted Monday, November 14, 2011, at 8:30 AM

Compost that often only exists in the dreams of a gardener.

A request was made to learn more about our community's interest in a "Community Compost" effort in Shelbyville. It probably needs to encompass Bedford County but it would go a long way in resolving a problem Shelbyville has with leaf disposal.

Other benefits are almost endless, but a community compost project can supply much needed soil amendments to our citizens for little, but hopefully nothing extra. This in turn will help many produce a bountiful harvest or improved landscaping.

Then there are the education opportunities that can spawn from this, other environmental efforts like Community Gardens scattered throughout the County, other compost efforts, school projects like vermicomposting (using worms), biology programs, conservation, recycling, etc. Believe it or not, even chemistry & math!

Shelbyville has the opportunity, born from necessity, to lead our County into a community awareness program that attracts positive accolades and serves the residents well. Good combination.

So, until we get a formal poll site set up that we can give to a council meeting THIS THURSDAY, are you for it or against it? Work with the assumption that it will save money, not cost more.

A few of the MANY websites discussing community compost efforts.

http://www.sfenvironment.org/our_program...

http://www.lesecologycenter.org/index.ph...

For those who want organized information http://www.climateactionreserve.org/how/...

I have visited many community compost and garden sites across the U.S. as I traveled over the past 30 years. The thing that impressed me the most from all of them was the community spirit that was exhibited by everyone associated with it. A wonderful thing to experience.

Comments
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I strongly support Community Compost. Please note Meeting Thurs. is not full council meeting but the Recyling Committee.

-- Posted by ckna910 on Mon, Nov 14, 2011, at 9:03 AM

I also support it.

I would also like to see, what was suggest in one of the newspaper's articles, a recycling center like in M'boro where we can recycle everything. Currently we take all of our recycling items to Rutherford County.

-- Posted by PrpleHze on Mon, Nov 14, 2011, at 10:07 AM

This post along with the post on leaves will be printed and taken to the recycling committee meeting. The more comments the better sooo...if you know anyone who would like to comment, please encourage them to speak their minds.

-- Posted by stevemills on Mon, Nov 14, 2011, at 6:57 PM

I am in favor of a community composting project. Could this also include mulch from the chipper that the phone company and probably others produce?

-- Posted by jbillswms on Mon, Nov 14, 2011, at 9:34 PM

I would think chips would be a good addition, although slower in composting. In this areas' heat, that may acutally be a good thing.

In two years my woodchips are compost without any help. Add some grass or other nitrogen rich mix to it and I would think one year is very possible.

With a little nitrogen help for leaves and some mixing, that could easily be months.

-- Posted by stevemills on Mon, Nov 14, 2011, at 10:16 PM

Why spend taxpayers money to send leaves to landfill when they can be recycled? Not a hard one to figure out.

-- Posted by perkim on Tue, Nov 15, 2011, at 5:55 AM

I don't want to make anything seems complicated, it isn't but a partial wish list for a recycling site, would be easy access, and availability of water to assist the composting process during dry spells.

There are a number of other things that could make it even better and a few things that I am sure our city officials will review, such as drainage/run-off. We want to be good neighbors to whatever site is chosen.

-- Posted by stevemills on Tue, Nov 15, 2011, at 7:24 AM

I am a firm believer in composting. I do it myself on a small scale. Also cheaper and better quality than buying dirt.

-- Posted by cherokee2 on Thu, Nov 17, 2011, at 2:52 AM

If this project is implemented correctly, there should be no cost to citizens, only benefits!

I and my family support it %110

-- Posted by inshelbyville on Fri, Nov 18, 2011, at 8:04 AM

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Steve Mills

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Steve Mills and his wife have one daughter and live on a farm outside of Bell Buckle. They previously owned two coffee/ice cream shops, currently operate an internet sales company and teach classes, but his primary job involves the paper industry worldwide. Hobbies and interests lie in gardening, photography, recorded music and of course, their pets.

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