• Growing Up Organic
• Producer's Area
  • What is Sustainable Agriculture?
  • Organic Farming
  • Organic Standards and Certification
  • Marketing, Business, and Risk Management
  • Education
  • The Farm Mentorship Program
  • Farm Energy
  • Other Resources
• Benefits of Organics
  • The Effects of Pesticides on Our Health and the Environment
  • Nutritional Benefits of Organic Food
• Why Does Organic Food Cost More?
• Our Stance on Local vs. "Big Organic"
• Manitoba's Organic Menu
• Ten Ways to Get Involved in Manitoba's Organic Movement

Farm Energy

Maximizing energy use on our farms is crucial. There are many creative ways to do this. We'll start by looking at composting, which reduces the volume and transport costs of raw manure.  Composting is an aerobic decomposition of manure and other organic matter to create an excellent soil conditioner.

Turning manure into compost is economical, makes good farming sense and is environmentally sound.

Compost:

1-Reduces volume of manure by appoximately 50%;

2-Reduces weight and improves handling characteristics,therefore it is easier on equipment;

3-Provides excellent soil conditioning-adding organic matter and improving soil structure and tilth;

4-Stabilizes the soil-reduces erosion and loss of nutrients;

5-Eliminates odor and flies;

6-More easily stored to be applied at convenient times;

7-Destroys pathogens and weed seeds;

8-Best method of recycling farm nutrients;

9- Releases nutrients to the plants slowly and steadily; benefits are long lasting, nutrients are transformed into more stable forms.

10-Lowers pest and disease problems with the use of mature compost,

11-Practically eliminates the problem of nutrient leaching into water ways. Compost has high water retention qualities. Prevents pollution!

For more information contact Master Composter Gerry Dube of BDM Composting

Email:  bdmcomposting@hotmail.com or visit www.bdmcompost.ca

Or call evenings from 6-10pm.  204-424-5566

Please check back regularly as we continue to update this page.  Click here to access our Producers Area summary page.