Issuu

September / October 2014

Vol. VIII No. 5

Serving Soil, Mulch, Compost, & Biofuel Professionals www.SoilandMulchProducerNews.com

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onservation easements ... The Green Movement tells us this is the only way to save rural land. Without its tax credits and restrictions on development rights, America will be paved over and Astroturf will replace sod. We’re in crisis, they tell us. However, as H.L Mencken once warned, “A plan to save humanity is almost always a false front for the urge to rule.” Conservation and environmental groups openly advocate the conservation easements as the answer to saving farmland, as do state departments of agriculture, farm bureaus, and the federal government. A full court press is on to lock in millions of acres of private property under the blazing headline “Save the Family Farm.” Conservation easements are promoted by land trusts and environmental groups. Tax breaks are promoted. Even cash is offered those farmers and landowners willing to sell their development rights, under the argument that this will drive away the temptation to sell the land to nasty developers, thus keeping it farmland. The clever slogan, “farmland lost is farmland lost forever” helps sell the case for easements. The promoters of such ideas are very good with the sales pitch. If it were politically correct to do so, one could actually hear “God Bless America” playing in the background as the promises to save the family farm roll off the pitchman’s tongue. Say proponents, “A conservation easement is a voluntary perpetual agreement that restricts non-agricultural uses such as mining and large scale residential and commercial development.” They boldly promote the easements by promising

that “the landowner continues to own, live on and use the land.” They even promise that the land can be passed down to heirs, along with generous tax credits. What’s not to like? Desperate farmers are flocking to the pitchman’s wagon to buy his life-saving potion. Of course, as another famous pitchman, P.T. Barnum, once said, “There’s a sucker born every minute.” Farmers and landowners beware the slick talker who has the answers to your woes. His answers may well be your demise. It’s wise to read the fine print of a conservation easement agreement before signing such an agreement.

The facts about conservation easements

n a typical conservation easement, a private Land Trust organization purchases some or all of a property owners rights. This includes development rights for the property; the ability to overrule the owner’s choice of how to use the property, including adding more buildings or renovating or rebuilding existing buildings. In the case of farmers, it may include decisions on which fields to use for planting , or even which crops to grow and the farming technique to be used. All of these things come under the command of the easement. And all of it may become the decision of the Land Trust, because once the conservation easement agreement is signed, the owner’s rights are legally subservient to his new partner, the Trust. True, in exchange, the property owner receives charitable deductions on federal taxes, based on the difference between the values of the land before and after granting the easement. The Continued on page 3

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Soil

Conservation Easements and the Urge to Rule Continued from page 1

property owner receives relief from federal estate or inheritance taxes. Many states provide income tax credits and property tax relief, and the owner receives a payment for his development rights. In the beginning it all sounds good. Money in the pocket; the farm safe from development; and the ability to continue practicing the beloved tradition of farming. Well, maybe. The fact is, under the easement, the owner has sold his property rights and therefore no longer has controlling interest in his property. Through the restrictions outlined in the easement, property usage is now strictly controlled, including everyday decisions on running the farm. In many cases, the Conservation group that controls the easement demands strict adherence to “sustainable” farming practices.” This means strict controls on how much energy or water can be used in the farming process, access to streams for the livestock, use of fertilizer, etc, are all under the direction of the Land Trust. And there’s more. Certain details weren’t revealed to the landowner as he signed on the dotted line. For example, trusts often re-sell the easement to other conservation groups. They sell and resell them like commodities. The farmer may not know who holds control over his land. For these groups, the easements become a significant profit center as they rake in fees for each new easement they sign up. Worse yet, the conservation group may work directly with government agencies, helping to establish new regulations which alter best management practices, driving up compliance costs. Eventually these cost increases can force owners to sell their land at a reduced price. This is especially effective when trying to dislodge a landowner who has refused to sell his land to the government or sign a conservation easement. The Nature Conservancy is a master at this trick, creating millions of dollars of income for the group. Its favorite practice is to tell the landowner that the government intends to take the land, but if they sell to the Conservancy then it will guarantee that the land will stay in private hands. But of course, since the government intends to take the land, it is now worth much less. So they get the landowner to sell at a reduced rate. Then the Conservancy calls the government agency to tell them the good news (that they have secured the land), and the agency pays the Conservancy full market value. They call this “Capitalism with a heart!!” Because ownership rights are muddled between taxes, restrictions and best practices requirements, it can be difficult to find a buyer willing to pay a fair market price for the land. In a sense, once the easement is signed, the owner has just rendered his land worthless on the open market. Conservation easement deeds use broad language that expands the trust’s control, but very specific language that limits the landowner’s rights.

Furthermore, when productive land is taken off the tax rolls, a revenue shortage is created that has to be made up by other taxpayers, causing rate hikes on property taxes.

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Some are more equal than others

l l o f t h e c o m b i n e d d a n g e r s f ro m conservation easements, and all of the combined powerful forces of Land Trusts and government agencies recently landed on the head of one innocent lady named Martha Boneta. Her story made national headlines last year and led to a colossal battle in the Virginia state legislature – a battle that continues to rage today without resolution. In Fauquier County, Virginia, where Martha resides, the chief “conservation” group is a behemoth called the Piedmont Environmental Council (PEC). They have managed to work there way into every nook and cranny of the county, specifically in the county government. PEC people have bored deeply into the county development office and other county agencies. They also converge on farmers to pressure the establishment of conservation easements, which generate a large amount of revenue for the group. It’s good to be king! In fact, PEC holds sway over nine Virginia counties, and they brag that they have succeeded in “helping citizens protect nearly 350,000 acres” of land through “voluntary conservation easements.” PEC calls it one of the most dramatic private land conservation successes in the nation. It is interesting to note that those nine counties, in particular Fauquier County, are the main center of the famous Virginia horse country, where, throughout Virginia history, the rich landed gentry have had the pleasure of riding their horses across vast open land in organized fox hunts. These horse people are rich and powerful with vast estates in the countryside. Many have contributed to the PEC land conservation effort as a way to keep open space available for their fox hunting pursuits. It is also interesting to note the comments and attitudes often expressed by these people concerning newcomers to the county, say the horse gentry; there must be a way to curtail new people from coming into the county and buying or developing property. That’s because, they claim newcomers have no understanding or respect for the age old tradition of riding their horses over the land that now gets fenced in or blocked by these unwanted intruders. The answer to their desire to stop it – the PEC. At a January 2013 meeting of the Fauquier County planning commission, it was revealed that 96,600 acres of county land is in conservation easements (or 23% of the total land mass of the county). A little research revealed an interesting detail. It seems that, as the conservation easements are sold to the public (as a way to save the small family farm), in reality, of the Continued on page 4

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PUBLICATION STAFF Publisher / Editor Rick Downing Contributing Editors / Writers Tom DeWeese • Sandy Woodthorpe Production & Layout Barb Fontanelle • Christine Pavelka Advertising Sales Rick Downing Subscription / Circulation Donna Downing Editorial, Circulation & Advertising Office 6075 Hopkins Road, Mentor, OH 44060 Ph: 440-257-6453 • Fax: 440-257-6459 Email: downassoc2@oh.rr.com Subscription information, call 440-257-6453. Soil & Mulch Producer News is published bimonthly by Downing & Associates. Reproductions or transmission in whole or in part, without written permission of the publisher, is prohibited. Annual subscription rate U.S. is $19.95. Outside of the U.S. add $10.00 ($29.95). Contact our main office, or mail-in the subscription form with payment. ©

September / October 2014 Soil & Mulch Producer News

Soil

Mulch Producer NEWS

Conservation Easements and the Urge to Rule Continued from page 3

23% of the land in easements, only 2% of it is actually small family farms. The rest is basically the vast estates of the landed gentry who have found a way to not only keep the land open for their fox hunts, but to also reduce their property taxes.

Martha’s plight

nto this atmosphere, enter Martha Boneta. If one were to write down all of the requirements as expressed by the Greens for their idea of the perfect small farmer, Martha Boneta would be their poster child. Martha just wanted to farm. She loves it. And she is very creative about it. It was her dream come-true when she found the small farm in Paris, Virginia. It had been on the market for at least six years, and she was able to purchase it at a very reduced price from the Piedmont Environmental Council. Everything was looking great for a lady anxious to get her hands in the dirt. She is into organic farming – just like the PEC advocates in their publications, web site and bumper stickers – “Buy Fresh, Buy Local.” Martha made the farm a haven for rescued animals. She restored the heavily deteriorated barn and turned it into a small farm store to sell her products – items produced right there on the farm. Oh yes, there was just one small detail brought up during the negotiations for the sale of the property. The Piedmont Environmental Council slipped in a conservation easement on the property. This specific easement did not pay any cash to Martha nor did it provide any tax credits. All the benefits went to PEC. Martha signed the document because she had been told conservation easements were a way to protect the farm from being developed. She was for that. But there is one major aspect of Martha’s value system that doesn’t fit the PEC profile for the perfect small farmer – she believes in private property rights. And that’s when the trouble started. Space (in this publication) does not allow for a full description of the battles Martha has faced over her attempts to farm her land. However, here is the “Cliff notes” version: Martha does not live on the farm, she owns a home in another location. The conservation easement she signed said she could have a small 1600 square foot residence on the property. She never used the facility as a residence. The Fauquier County planning board suddenly issued notice that Martha would be fined for selling items that were not produced on her farm, something she never actually did, and that she needed another permit in order to use the facility for events. She was immediately threatened with fines of $5000 for each violation brought by the County. The evidence used against her by the county was a photo of a children’s birthday party 4

Soil & Mulch Producer News

that Martha had posted on her Facebook page, allegedly proving that she had rented out the barn for a party. In fact, it was a private party for friends. No money exchanged hands for the facility. But the battle was on. Martha began to learn what a powerful weapon conservation easements can be in the hands o f t h o s e wh o wanted to control her actions. The easement g av e t h e PEC the right to occasionally inspect the property fo r “ v i o l at i o n s ’ o f the easement. Suddenly Martha was informed that PEC inspectors would visit the farm to investigate the “living quarters.” Rather than a random occasional or annual visit, PEC came back again and again; demanding to look into her private closets; even banning her right to video tape the inspections on her own property. The PEC found fault with a simple water nozzle Martha had purchased to use in washing her animals. Somehow that was a violation. There is an old cemetery on the property dating back to 1832. In it are buried the families of former residents of the area. To keep the farm animals from walking though the cemetery, Martha installed a simple fence. “Violation,” said PEC, “It damages the view shed.” On and on went the harassment over such idiotic claims. Along with it came thousands of dollars of legal expenses as Martha fought to defend herself. Eventually, as a result of non-stop pressure and the threat of fines from the County, plus the pressure from PEC, Martha was forced to close her farm store, seriously damaging a major part of her ability to earn income from the farm. What was her real crime? She had challenged county planning restrictions. And in so doing, she had become a threat to their authority and that of the PEC, which is the driving force behind county controls over private property.

Non-Governmental Control = Government Corruption

very American landowner should learn a lesson from Martha’s story. Conservation easements, comprehensive planning, and controls over private property, while always

September / October 2014

sold as a way to help, are actually a Trojan Horse of corruption. If there is a poster child in this story it is the government of Fauquier County. Corruption begins with the absolute influence and power unleashed by a nongovernmental organization l i ke t h e P i e d m o n t Environmental Council. It is a i d e d by a n elite few who seek to use government power for their own personal gains. And, it is enforced by a compliant county Board of Supervisors that will use that power as a weapon to crush anyone who dares stand up against them. Unfortunately, Martha’s story is not unique. That very agenda of power, and the corruption it brings, is now showing itself in community after community – all under the over-used and unsubstantiated excuses of environmental protection and “local planning.”

om DeWeese is one of the nation’s leading advocates of individual liberty, free enterprise, private property rights, personal privacy, back-to-basics education and American sovereignty and independence. A resident of Virginia since 1982, Tom is a native of Ohio. He’s been a candidate for the Ohio Legislature, served as editor of two newspapers, and has owned several businesses since the age of 23. He was listed in the “Outstanding Young Men of America in 1981 and 1982 and was added to the National Registry of Who’s Who in 2000. In 1989 Tom led the only privately-funded election-observation team to the Panamanian elections. In 2006 Tom was invited to Cambridge University to debate the issue of the United Nations before the Cambridge Union, a 200 year old debating society. Today he serves as Founder and President of the American Policy Center (americanpolicy.org) and editor of The DeWeese Report and author of the book “Now Tell Me I Was Wrong.” Tom DeWeese was one of the first to voice concern over the radical agenda of the environmental movement and to question its motives. Since 1992 he has been sounding the alarm against the UN’s Agenda 21 and its policy of Sustainable Development as a threat to private property rights, free markets and American sovereignty and independence.

Soil

Wildfires and Burning Biomass Impact Climate

alo Alto, CA – Stanford scientists say that wildfires, slash-and-burn agricultural practices, as well as burning of wood waste for power are affecting climate more than previously believed, an IBTimes.com article reports. A study led by Stanford University Civil and Environmental Engineering Professor Mark Z. Jacobson found that approximately18 percent of all human-made carbon dioxide emissions -- or nearly 8.5 billion tons each year -- comes from the burning of forests, savannahs and wood chips for fuel. The remaining 39 billion tons of annual human-made CO2 emissions come from other activities like burning fossil fuels in power plants and vehicles and producing concrete. These are among the findings published last July in the Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres. Jacobson and his team used 3-D computer model simulations to visualize impacts of biomass burning. What they observed was how soot and smoke from smoldering plants and trees can affect public health – and the effects were more significant than anyone had noted previously. Exposure to carbon particulates has been linked to cardiovascular disease, respiratory illness, lung cancer, asthma and low birth weights. “We calculate that 5 to 10 percent of worldwide air pollution mortalities are due to biomass burning,” Jacobson said in a statement. “That means that it causes the premature deaths of about 250,000 people each year.” The study conclusions pose a dilemma for proponents of biomass energy who insist that burning grasses and waste wood to produce energy and heat homes is a cleaner, more sustainable alternative to fossil fuels. “The bottom line is that biomass burning is neither clean nor climate-neutral,” Jacobson said. “If you’re serious about addressing global warming, you have to deal with biomass burning as well.” Jacobson explains, “When sunlight penetrates a water droplet containing black or brown carbon particles, the carbon absorbs the light energy, creating heat and accelerating evaporation of the droplet. Carbon particles floating around in the spaces between the droplets also absorb scattered sunlight, converting it to heat.” The result, he says, is that clouds dissipate, allowing more sunlight to reach the earth, ultimately resulting in warmer ground and air temperatures. Interestingly, the study findings show that some carbon particles – specifically, those that are colored white and gray and are associated with some types of ash – can have a cooling effect because they reflect sunlight. According to Jacobson’s simulations, the net effect of warming caused by biomass-related CO2 emissions and black and brown carbon particles drives global temperature up 2 degrees Celsius (35.6 degrees Fahrenheit) over the twodecade period. The study notes that some of that

increase is offset by the light-colored particles, so that the total net warming effect is closer to 0.4 degrees Celsius. “The direct heat generated by burning biomass is significant and contributes to cloud evaporation by decreasing relative humidity,” Jacobson notes in a Stanford Engineering Department newsletter. “We’ve determined that 7 percent of the total net warming caused by biomass burning – that is, 7 percent of the 0.4 C net warming gain – can be attributed to the direct heat caused by the fires.” “As the rate of biomass burning increases, so do the impacts to human health,” he says.

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Canadian Harvest of Peat Moss: 2014 as of August 31

www.ohiocompost.org

he Canadian Sphagnum Peat Moss Association (CSPMA), whose members represent approximately 95 percent of all North American peat production, recently reported its harvest levels for the 2014 season. A survey of CSPMA members was conducted on August 31, regarding the status of their 2014 Actual Harvest (including an estimate of what can be expected to be harvested for the remainder of the season) as a percentage of their 2014 Expected Harvest. According to CSPMA, the harvest season has been challenging, with lower than expected harvest across most production regions, due primarily to adverse weather conditions across Canada. In Eastern Canada (NB & PEI), the largest peat producing region in Canada, the industry is considerably below average in its expected harvest volumes. (New Brunswick North 61%, New Brunswick South 67% and PEI 65%). A delayed start to the harvest season combined with a wet summer has significantly reduced production volumes. In Québec’s North Shore (98%), the results are more favourable with the majority of members meeting their expectations. The harvest on Québec’s South Shore (105%) is at or slightly above expectations for most producers. This is primarily due to a mid - late summer occurrence of good harvest weather. The Prairie Provinces (MB, SK & AB), have experienced a below average harvest (Manitoba 73%, Saskatchewan 70%, Alberta 71%) primarily due to adverse weather. These numbers are significantly below expectations. Further adjustments to the CSPMA report may occur, depending on the ability to harvest in the Fall season. The industry had lower than normal carryover inventory volumes, particularly in the west, from the 2013 harvest season. As such, many members are less able to absorb the harvest shortfall than has been the case in prior years.

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September / October 2014

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Madison, WI Delays $20 Million Biodigester Plan

adison, WI – In a move to conserve funds, this city is delaying construction of a planned biodigester and discontinuing its food waste recycling program, reports an article on Madison.com. According to George Dreckmann, Madison’s recycling coordinator, the plans were erased from the Madison’s 2015 budget. Dreckmann told program participants that the project could be delayed as much as five years because of austerity measures. This change brings an end to Madison’s household organic waste pilot program, started in June of 2011, and which was expected to expand to the entire city. The biodigester was going to be built to handle food and yard waste, generating enough energy to supply power, heating and cooling for a new city fleet facility. The food waste pilot program had gotten off to a good start, and by 2014, some 500 households and six businesses were involved. The organic waste was being trucked to a biodigester owned by the University of Wisconsin at Oshkosh. Considering the apparent success of the pilot program, the city’s decision to place it on hold came unexpectedly, drawing criticism from participants and supporters.

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September / October 2014 Soil & Mulch Producer News

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Santa Barbara Plans Biogas & Recycling Facility

Scientists Turn Manure into Clean Water

anta Barbara, CA – Santa Barbara County has taken preliminary steps for adding a dry anaerobic digestion and recycling facility at its Tajiguas Landfill, according to an article on Waste-Management-World.com. Designed by Mustang Renewable Power Ventures, the Tajiguas Resource Recovery Project is slated to process solid waste from the communities currently served by the Tajiguas Landfill. The project would also add a Materials Recycling Facility (MRF) and a dry fermentation Anaerobic Digestion (AD) Facility. If approved by state and local authorities, Mustang Renewable Power Ventures would construct, own, and operate the facility. Under the current plan, the MRF would have a design capacity of up to 800 tons per day of solid waste and would be expected to recover around 90,000 tons of recyclable material for resale and reuse each year. The landfill could also process Commingled Source Separated Recyclables (CSSR). This option, if implemented, would expand the total capacity of the recycling facility by 40,000 tons to 290,000 tons per year. Metal, paper, glass, plastics and wood would be recycled. The AD facility, with a planned capacity of up to 73,600 tons, would process organic waste, such as yard and food waste. Residual waste would be disposed of at the existing landfill. The biogas generated would deliver 2 MW+ net electricity. According to the Santa Barbara County’s Resource Recovery and Waste Management Division, which oversees such projects, the Tajiguas Landfill may reach its permitted disposal capacity (23.3 million cubic yards) around 2026. The proposed project could extend the life of the landfill by approximately 10 years. The County Public Works Department, Resource Recovery and Waste Management Division prepared Environmental Impact Report (EIR). The next step is to hold a public hearing, scheduled for October, 9, 2014.

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ast Lansing, MI – MSUToday.edu reports that Michigan State University researchers have a new solution for turning manure into something highly useful on big farms – water! Using what is known as the McLanahan Nutrient Separation System, the scientists have combined an anaerobic digester, ultrafiltration, air stripping and reverse osmosis to transform manure into water. The water is clean enough for livestock to drink or it can be discharged as harmless wastewater. The System has another important byproduct –fertilizer. The fertilizer is made from the extracted nutrients in the manure. “If you have 1,000 cows on your operation, they produce about 10 million gallons of manure a year,” said Steve Safferman, an MSU associate professor of biosystems and agricultural engineering who has been involved with the project. “About 90 percent of the manure is water but it contains large amounts of nutrients, carbon and pathogens that can have an environmental impact if not properly managed.” MSU began work on the McLanahan Nutrient Separation System about 10 years ago when the potential for biodigestion was first identified as having commercial potential. “Here in Michigan we have a tendency to take water for granted,” Safferman said. “But out west, for example, where drought remains an issue, the accessibility of clean water could make the difference between a farm remaining viable or going out of business.” Another advantage of the system is its ability to capture a large percentage of the ammonia generated by agriculture before it can become an air pollutant. Currently the system produces about 50 gallons of water from 100 gallons of manure. The researchers say the goal is to increase that number to about 65 gallons. They hope the Nutrient Separation System will be ready for commercialization by the end of 2014.

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Soil

Biochar’s Dual Role as a Soil Amendment

ouston, TX – Researchers say groundup charcoal works to improve water drainage in both clay and sandy soils, but it does so in different ways, according to a ScienceDaily.com article. Biochar - ground charcoal - is derived from waste wood, manure or leaves. Scientists know that humans have used biochar as a soil amendment for thousands of years. Until recently, however, no one could explain the curious outcomes of adding biochar to clay and sandy soils. Adding biochar to dense clay soils makes them drain faster, while adding biochar to porous sandy soils makes them drain more slowly. How could it have the opposite effect on opposite types of soils? In a paper published this summer in PLoS ONE, Rice University and Colorado College scientists say they have solved the mystery. “Understanding the controls on water movement through biochar-amended soils is critical to explaining other frequently reported benefits of biochar, such as nutrient retention, carbon sequestration and reduced greenhouse gas emissions,” lead author Rebecca Barnes, said. Barnes, now an assistant professor of environmental science at Colorado College, began the biochar research while serving as a postdoctoral research associate at Rice. In the new study, biogeochemists at Rice conducted side-by-side tests of the waterholding ability of three soil types -- sand, clay and topsoil -- both with and without added biochar. The biochar used in the experiments, which was derived from Texas mesquite wood, was prepared to exacting standards. Rice geochemist Caroline Masiello, a study co-author explained what the scientists observed. “Biochar is light and highly porous. When biochar is added to clay, it makes the soil less dense and it increases hydraulic conductivity, which makes intuitive sense. Adding biochar to sand also makes it less dense, so one would expect that soil to drain more quickly as well; but in fact, researchers have found that biocharamended sand holds water longer.” Rice University’s interdisciplinary Biochar Research Group, which conducted the study, was formed in the wake of Hurricane Ike in 2008 when the city of Houston called for ideas about how to get rid of an estimated 5.6 million cubic yards of fallen trees, broken branches and dead greenery left behind by the storm.

Mulch Producer NEWS

Recycle or Pay – Seattle Food Waste Ordinance Tightened

eattle, WA – Beginning next year, Seattle residents will face a penalty for failing to separate food scraps for garbage collection, according to ABCNews.com and Associated Press reports. City council members approved the ordinance unanimously to help boost the recycling rate. The food waste law is projected to divert 38,000 tons of food scraps from the landfill via composting. The measure is targeted at residents, who previously had been encouraged, but not required to separate food scraps from their regular trash. The city provides compost bins for the food scraps. As of January 2015, sanitation workers will leave tickets on trash bins containing more than 10 percent food scraps. Starting next July, violators will see a fine of $1 added to their trash bills. For commercial properties and apartment buildings, the fine can go up to $50. Seattle Public Utilities had requested city council to write the new rule to help meet recycling and composting goals. The city aims to cut by 60% the organic waste going to landfills by next year. No public hearing was required for the municipal code. The ordinance states that “No food and compostable paper, including food-contaminated cardboard, paper napkins and paper towels, will be allowed in the garbage. Recyclable items, such as paper, uncontaminated cardboard, bottles, cups, jars and cans are currently prohibited from the garbage.” All commercial establishments that generate food waste or compostable paper must subscribe to a composting service, compost their food waste on-site, or self-haul their food waste for processing.

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Massachusetts Food Waste Ban Becomes Model

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oston, MA – Canada and Europe have led the way in diverting organic waste from landfills, but American cities and states are picking up the pace here with legislation and infrastructure, according to an EnergyCentral.com article. With its statewide commercial food waste disposal ban, Massachusetts joins New York, Rhode Island, Connecticut and Vermont, as well as West Coast cities such as Seattle, San Francisco and Portland, all of which have banned landfill disposal of food waste from large commercial food waste generators. The aim of the Massachusetts legislation is to divert food waste to make electrical power and compost, thereby reducing the Commonwealth’s waste stream by 30 percent by 2020 and by 80 percent by 2050. Although residential/household food materials and food waste from small businesses are not included in the ban, the disposal ban affects approximately 1,700 businesses and institutions, including supermarkets, colleges, universities, hotels, convention centers, hospitals, nursing homes, restaurants, and food service and processing companies The state has selected anaerobic digestion (AD) as the technology for generating electrical power from waste. Currently, efforts are underway to entice entrepreneurs and established companies with funding and technical assistance. To spur the building of composting and AD operations on farms, wastewater treatment plants and other public and private locations, the state is offering up to $1 million in grants, $3 million in low-interest loans. Already, a partnership has formed to build a 5.2 MW waste-to-energy plant at a recycling facility in the Boston metropolitan area. Another project in the works, which could generate 3.3-MW electricity, will be sited at a Suffolk County landfill.

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14 Soil & Mulch Producer News September / October 2014

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You Deserve the Best. There are many reasons why professionals all around the world turn to the Beast® for grinding and recycling. Rugged construction. Excellent fuel economy. Exceptional performance, just to name a few. It doesn’t matter if you’re grinding with the patented cuttermill or chipping with a dedicated chipping drum, processing material in a regrind or a single pass. And when it comes to end products—whether it’s playground mulch, wood chips, colored mulch, ground shingles, recycled plastic and more—nobody else can match the Beast for size, consistency and production. Nobody. That’s why Beast® horizontal grinders aren’t just purchases. They are investments. Investments into your company. Your livelihood. Your future. For 30 years, companies large and small have trusted Bandit Industries to build the equipment they need. So shall it be for 30 more. From wood chippers to stump grinders, horizontal grinders, forestry mowers, and specialty wood process equipment, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t own a Bandit. Invest in your future today—invest in a Bandit.

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Soil

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Farm-scale Bioenergy – Conflict or Potential?

orth Wales, UK – Bangor University researchers warn that establishing largescale bioenergy plants on UK farms may hurt both animal feed supplies and the environment, according to a FeedNavigator.com. The Bangor research findings were published in Global Change Biology Bioenergy this summer. The report, “Cattle feed or bioenergy? Consequential life cycle assessment of biogas feedstock options on dairy farms,” documents a study on the impacts of farm-based anaerobic digesters (AD) using wheat, corn, soy and other crops grown for livestock. Avoiding conflict with animal feed production is crucial, the Bangor scientists suggest, warning that diverting fodder crops to anaerobic digestion could lead to a number of negative outcomes. One result could be an increased dependence on imports, setting off a chain reaction leading to land use changes throughout the world. In this scenario, the authors predict further loss of rainforests. Another potential downside could be the spiraling of land rental prices as the acreage demand for growing forage crops increases. “Biogas production from bioenergy crops is environmentally detrimental and should be avoided – alternative bioenergy crops such as miscanthus heating pellets offer much greater greenhouse gas mitigation potential,” wrote the researchers.

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September / October 2014

Soil

Mulch Producer NEWS

USCC Prepares for Surge of Organics Composting Efforts

Incineration Being Used to Eradicate Rhinoceros Beetle

n a move set to position the US Composting Council to continue its quarter-century as the foremost association on composting, the USCC’s Board of Directors recently announced a restructuring effort to prepare the organization for “rapid growth”. According to the USCC, this restructuring process is being led by a transition team developing growth plans that are targeted toward sustainable diversified growth in a dynamic, growing organics industry. The USCC stated that, in just the past year, the number of states taking legislative and administrative actions, such as food scraps diversion, requirements for compost in public and private projects, has multiplied. “This will require states to quickly grow their public and private organics composting infrastructure, and the USCC is the best resource to help guide that,” said Lorrie Loder, president of the USCC. As a result, the organization is shifting more and more resources towards development of educational programs and outreach to membership. With the restructuring process, the USCC Board of Directors recently bid farewell to Lori Scozzafava, who has moved on to other career opportunities, as Executive Director.

onolulu, HI – According to a report on KHON2.com, Hawaii’s agriculture department officials are employing a new way to eradicate the coconut rhinoceros beetle (CRB), the pest responsible for killing Oahu’s coconut trees and other palm species. Burning – specifically, burning the piles of mulch where the beetle breeds appears to be the best way to prevent the pest from spreading. The CRB was discovered in coconut mulch piles at the US military’s Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, as well as other locations on the island, including a golf course. Earlier this year, the Navy Construction Battalion Maintenance Unit 303 (Seabees) made traps that were deployed to help detect the beetle. No one knows exactly how the beetle arrived at JBPHH, though officials suspect either military or civilian flights from many possible locations. In early November 2013 inspectors at HNL airport found a beetle in luggage from a flight arriving from Japan. The navy had been grinding mulch and palm tree debris to a fine consistency using a “tub grinder,” which destroyed insect adults, larvae and pupae. However, burning is now seen as both a short- and long-term solution to the problem because it prevents breeding and spread of damage, while also destroying habitat so that the beetle can’t reinfest. “Every mulch pile we can identify, every infested tree that we can identify, we’re going to destroy,” said Rob Curtiss, pest control branch manager for the Hawaii Department of Agriculture (HDOA). HDOA has been the lead agency in efforts to eradicate the pest. Navy Region Hawaii and JBPHH have been working with the State of Hawaii Department of Agriculture, the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Plant Protection and Quarantine (APHIS-PPQ), along with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and University of Hawaii.

Scientists Take Soil Loss Seriously

ainesville, FL – Scientists say that soil erosion costs the United States about $44 billion per year, and it remains a problem despite improved conservation practices, reports a ScienceDaily.com article. Nick Comerford, a member of the Soil Science Society of America (SSSA) and professor at the University of Florida, emphasizes the importance of protecting soil with mulch and plants, not plowing on steep slopes, and maximizing the amount of water that enters the soil while minimizing the water that runs over the soil. Comerford says about 1.7 billion tons of agricultural soil are lost per year. If one considers it takes roughly 500 to 1000 years to form one inch of soil, depending on the climate and the material from which soil forms, the loss is staggering. Although conservation efforts to prevent soil erosion have made an impact – a reduction of 40% over the past 25 years - we have to look at soil as a non-renewable resource that is worth protecting, Comerford explains. The soil scientists emphasize that practices such as conservation tillage, terracing, cover crops, and grass waterways are all helpful. Because the soil is the source of water and nutrients for plants as well as a bioreactor to purify and filter water, soil is crucial to our quality of life, they say.

State Program Spearheads LargeScale Composting on Farms

rmstrong County, PA – Some farms in Western Pennsylvania are taking part in what is hoped to be a landmark, large-scale composting program operated by the Pennsylvania Resources Council, according to TribLive.com. The program pays farmers for every ton of waste they receive, and works in tandem with the state Department of Environmental Protection, which directs the permitting process. The way the program works, spoiled produce and food from grocery stores, restaurants and schools is collected and delivered to the farmers, who then are allowed to use as much compost as they need on their farms. Program manager, Nick Shorr, says “In Southwestern Pennsylvania, about 1 million tons of compostable waste is thrown away each year, making this a large, untapped resource,” Shorr said. “A large-scale composting farmer can reduce fertilizer costs over time and help enrich their land, which will give them a larger crop yield.” The program is currently underway in Beaver, Lawrence, Mercer and Fayette counties, where some 6,700 tons of waste has been turned into more than 3,000 tons of compost at six farms, Shorr says.

Scientists Say Forest Decline is Inevitable

oods Hole, MA – Scientists have a new explanation for why U.S. forests are on the decline, according to a Marine Biological Laboratory (MBL) article published in ScienceDaily.com. A study on U.S. forests was conducted by MBL scientists and colleagues. The findings published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences show that as forests age, their ability to grow decreases and they use less carbon dioxide and sunlight and respire less. This is “just like an animal or human being,” says the study’s lead author Jianwu (Jim) Tang, an assistant scientist in the MBL Ecosystem Center. The study also found that, since most U.S. forests are maturing from regeneration that began about 100 years ago when extensive clear-cutting occurred, the future growth of U.S. forests will decline. “All forests are in succession: They get old, die (due to fire, insects, hurricane, etc.), and regenerate. This paper improves on a fundamental theory in ecosystem development: How a forest evolves over time. It demonstrates that when a forest gets old, its ability to grow decreases because it takes up less carbon dioxide and sunlight and respires less, just like an animal or human being,” For a long time, the prevailing theory was that as a forest gets old, it would respire more and use more energy. But Tang and colleagues found both energy production (photosynthesis) and energy consumption (respiration) decrease with age, resulting in an overall decrease in growth rates. “Forests are also big carbon sinks that offset, in part, human-induced carbon emissions. Our finding also suggests the forest carbon sink may decrease in the U.S. because of the slowdown in forest growth,” Tang says. “In some other countries, young forests could grow faster and take up more carbon dioxide. To mitigate human-induced climate change and global warming, we may either plant more forests in non-forested lands, decrease use of fossil fuels, or do both.”

September / October 2014 Soil & Mulch Producer News 19

Soil

Mulch Producer NEWS

Product/Equipment Profiles Garick Introduces Mulch/Compost Products

Bandit Announces New “Beast” Options

ature’s Perfect® Mulch is an all natural and organic dark ground cover that inhibits weeds as it enhances soil. This product is a compost based mulch that will improve soil structure by giving nutrients to the soil; all while helping in retaining water and suppressing weed growth. Some key benefits of Nature’s Perfect® Mulch include: • Natural brown color • Adds humus as it breaks down • Inhibits weed growth • Helps retain moisture, less watering required • Insulates plant roots from temperature extremes • Can be used for topdressing and garden mulch • Beautifies landscape beds and gardens Organic Valley® Compost is an exclusive blend of natural and organic ingredients. It is ideal to use for in-ground plants and vegetables; as the compost will help bring nutrients and soil microbes to help better the soil structure and improve plant and root growth. Some key benefits of the Organic Valley® Compost include: • Improves soil structure and porosity • Increases moisture infiltration and permeability • Supplies organic matter • Adds soil microbes • Contains humus • Buffers pH

east horizontal grinders have always been some of the most effective machines on the market when it comes to processing dense, stringy green waste like palms, vines, and coastal vegetation. This type of material can be a challenge to process for any machine, but now new options and designs for the Model 2680XP, 3680XP and 4680XP Beast Recyclers allow these machines to excel in this type of grinding application. The changes begin with the cuttermill, which features a 30-tooth setup with 2-inch wide teeth as opposed to the standard 60-tooth, 1-inch wide arrangement. While a 60-tooth set up is still the best for grinding larger diameter wood, in leafy / stringy material void of larger material the 30-tooth setup is extremely efficient. The mill RPM is also increased, which helps clear the mill faster, while the mill housing itself is opened up. Also, a new proportional drive system for hydraulics on the Beast’s feed system will help deliver maximum feeding rates without overfeeding the machine. This new system will monitor engine loads and automatically adjust the feed rate to match.

For more information contact Garick at 800-242-7425 or visit their website at www.garick.com.

To learn more about the XP-Series Beast recyclers and how they can benefit your operation, contact Bandit Industries today at 800-952-0178.

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20 Soil & Mulch Producer News September / October 2014

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Entrepreneurs Turn Food Waste into Energy

ellevue, WA – As states and cities ban organic waste from landfills, entrepreneurs are dreaming up with ever more ways to turn that waste into something useful, a Forbes.com article reports. In Waltham, Massachusetts, there’s five-year-old Harvest Power, which operates three state-of-the-art Energy Garden anaerobic digesters. Harvest Power processes over 2 million tons of organic wastes per year and sells 33 million bags of soil and mulches distributed through 1200 locations across North America. The company produces and markets millions of cubic yards of compost based soil, mulches and natural fertilizers. As a job creator, the company has grown to 600 employees at 40 sites. In Washington State, there’s WISErg, founded by two ex-Microsoft engineers. This company has developed a very user-friendly digester machine that has been installed in Whole Foods markets throughout the Bellevue area. The machine has built-in data collection, which will help stores with resource planning. The company has raised a total of $7.75 million in private funding and is promoting its Harvester units to the California market. Then, there’s Silicon Valley’s CleanWorld, key player in the Sacramento BioDigester project, which processes up to 100 tons of food scraps and organic materials daily. The project is an example of a successful transition from academia to commercialization. The Sacramento BioDigester’s excess materials are bought by another company, EcoScraps, which packages and sells organic fertilizer and soils to Target stores and others. Although Europe is leading the way in turning organic waste into energy, the successes of entrepreneurial companies here, along with governmental mandates and resources, are establishing momentum that investors will not be able to ignore for long.

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Fed Says Loggers May Fell Trees Destroyed by CA Rim Fire

resno, CA – after months of heated debates, the U.S. Forest Service has decided to allow loggers to remove dead trees from 52 square miles of charred forests in central California, reports FoxNews.com. The decision pertains to the trees that died in the 2013 Rim Fire, which burned some 400 square miles of the Stanislaus National Forest, Yosemite National Park wilderness and private timber land. In the past year, environmentalists and loggers clashed on how to best manage the area. The environmentalists argued against logging, stressing the value of the dead trees and the new growth that has been sprouting beneath them. They believe the habitat is viable enough to attract rare birds such as spotted owls and black-backed woodpeckers. The logging supporters say that timber sales will pay for reforestation. They also point out that clearing the dead trees and replanting will provide better – and safer - public access. The Rim Fire, only 40 acres when it was discovered, became Sierra Nevada’s largest fire ever and California’s third largest in history, occurring toward the end of 2013, then the driest year on record for the state. According to Climate Central, years with warmer springs, hotter summers and reduced snowpack tend to have the most fires. Federal forest ecologists told the Associated Press last year that “megafires” were happening because of a century of fire suppression. Since the 1900s, forestry policies have protected timber by preventing small, natural fires that tend to regenerate mountain flora, they said. In fact, the thriving forest and river canyon vegetation became potent fuel as the Rim Fire devoured acre after acre - 10,000 acres within 36 hours later, finally growing to more than 10 times that as it ravaged the area during the next couple of weeks. Only when the wildfire encountered areas affected by 1980s-era policy of allowing small fires did it slow, according to one of the federal ecologists interviewed by AP.

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September / October 2014 Soil & Mulch Producer News 21

ADVERTISER NEWS Custom Milling & Consulting, Inc. Expands into Brazil

ustom Milling & Consulting, Inc. (CMC) manufacturer of mixing and milling equipment and contract processor of liquid/powder dispersions has expanded its production capabilities into Brazil. CMC has acquired a 14,000 sq. ft. facility in Curitiba to expand their toll milling/custom processing services. The new Brazil location enables CMC to take the next step in expanding internationally by providing custom processing services directly to industries in Brazil and other South American countries. CMC Milling do Brasil, Ltda. has a lab testing area open to customers and a production area for processing materials. CMC do Brasil staff will provide inventory management, storage and shipping of materials and products. The lab is equipped with Particle Size analyzer, pH meters, UV testing equipment, Viscometer, and color comparing equipment. Customers will have the opportunity to do trial test runs of their products and produce small to mid-size production batches. The production area is set up with CMC equipment that includes; Supermill Plus® Horizontal Media Mills, Batch Mills, and High Shear Mixers. CMC do Brasil will have the capacity to process batch sizes from .5 to 500 gallons.

T.H. Glennon Announces Building Expansion

.H. Glennon recently announced a building expansion at their Salisbury, MA headquarters, adding 18,000 square feet. The company says the building expansion will greatly increase capacity and enable them to streamline their production process for Colorfast Colorants. In addition to this expansion, T.H. Glennon added a new manufacturing location in Union, South Carolina. Brian Shea, owner of T.H. Glennon Company, stated: “These strategic investments are moving us closer to our customers and enhancing our capabilities for maximum responsiveness. This is about us helping our customers to increase their profitability and growth. Our customers come first and we’re working hard to ensure their success.”

Michigan-Based Huron Capital and Bandit Industries Sign Letter of Intent to Recapitalize the Business for Accelerated Growth

uron Capital Partners (“Huron Capital”) and Bandit Industries announced recently that they have entered into a letter of intent to recapitalize Bandit as a private company, and to provide resources and capital to reinforce Bandit’s continued record growth while accelerating the company’s global growth strategy. According to Bandit, Jerry Morey will continue to run the business as President & CEO, and a CEO succession plan will be initiated to recruit and train a top caliber executive to lead the business into its next phase of growth. Mike Morey Sr. and Dianne Morey will remain with the company in consulting roles. Bandit will be co-owned by Jerry Morey, Mike Morey, Dianne Morey and Huron Capital. “When we announced last year that we were looking at companies for a potential sale or merger of Bandit, we were adamant that it had to be the right fit for our company, our community, our dealer network, and most importantly, our employees,” said Bandit Industries President Jerry Morey. “We were only interested in partnering with an organization that would respect and be committed to our company culture, from our employees in Michigan to our dealers operating all around the world. Huron Capital has a long history of growing companies while maintaining their independent operations and unique company culture, and that was a significant factor in our decision to partner with the firm. It also feels good to be working with another Michigan-based company that understands our challenges and shares our hometown pride. We are very much looking forward to the future for both Bandit and our mid-Michigan community.” Bandit Industries will remain at its current 280,000 square-foot world headquarters between Remus and Mount Pleasant, Michigan. All existing operations, including the workforce, management teams, distribution and dealer network will remain in place.

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VOL. VIII NO. 5

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Inside This Issue

Conservation Easements and the Urge to Rule PAGE 1 Wildfires and Burning Biomass Impact Climate PAGE 5 Madison, WI Delays $20 Million Biodigester Plan PAGE 9 Biochar’s Dual Role as a Soil Amendment PAGE 13 Massachusetts Food Waste Ban Becomes Model PAGE 14 Farm-scale Bioenergy – Conflict or Potential? PAGE 17 Scientists Take Soil Loss Seriously PAGE 19

info@komptechusa.com