Key Terms

Compost – a soil amendment made from organic matter

Composting – the biological process of breaking down organic matter into a stable, long term fertilizer

Feedstock – the organic matter we put into the compost pile

Organic matter – anything that used to be alive or derived from living things. E.g. leaves, watermelon rind, pizza crust, manure

Browns – carbon-rich feedstocks like hay, dry leaves, or paper which contain relatively little nitrogen

Greens – relatively nitrogen-rich feedstocks like food waste, fresh grass clippings, or manure they still contain considerable amounts of carbon

Composting system – the infrastructure and design used to turn organic matter into compost

Worm composting – a type of composting that works with red wiggler worms and generally maintains temperatures under 80°F

Aerated static pile composting – a type of aerobic composting that heats up to a minimum of 130°F for a minimum of three consecutive days and is not turned

Plenum Layer – A bed of wood mulch under an aerated static pile

Soil – the combined air, water, and mineral and organic components that support plant growth at the Earth’s surface

Fertilizer – specific nutrients added to soil as grains, powders, or liquids

Soil organic matter – biological material from plants and animals at various stages of decomposition combined with the cells and tissues of living soil organisms and the substances produced by soil organisms; up to approximately five percent of an average soil

Organic – containing carbon (not to be confused with USDA certified organic)

USDA certified organic – a certification affirming adoption of farming practices that do not employ certain harmful chemicals

Approved for use on certified organic farms – an available certification for compost, if intended for use on a certified organic farm and/or sale to certified organic farmers