Composting at Agritopia

The Team

Favian Horta

Morgan Moore

Kaleigh Johnson

Torin Sadow Whitney Schedeler

Sarah Spencer

Current Agritopia System

Current system for AgritopiaYield: ● 3-6 months: 100 cubic yards● 1 year: 200 cubic yardsSize:● 10 windrows ● Each approximately 13’ x

9’ x 5.5’

System Cost Labor Cost Space req. Yield

O2 Compost Micro-Bin System $675 Minimal (Continuous Flow System)

4’ x 4’ (4 bins) or4’ x 6’ (3 bins)

80 cubic yards/year

*Benchmark, Cornerstone

$2375 Minimal (Continuous Flow System)

8’ x 8’ (4 bins) or 8’ x 12’ (3 bins)

65 cubic yards/month = 780 cubic yards/year

50/50: Micro-bin System (above) + Windrows

$675 Minimal

(⅔ time requirement of current)

Micro-bin:4’x6’ (3 bins)

Each windrow: 6’ x 10’ x 9’

80 cubic yards/year+200 cubic yards per year___________________280 cubic yards/year

Windrow(new)

$0 - $3000 $8500/yr (estimate)

Each windrow: 6’ x 10’ x 9’

400 cubic yards per year

Windrow (current) $0 $8500/yr (estimate)

Each windrow: 6’ x 10’ x 5’

200 cubic yards per year

*Large In-Vessel SystemsLarge In-Vessel systems may hold and compost 3 to

180 cubic yards at a time.● Rotating Drum (pictured):

o At diameter 3.35 m. and length 36.58 m., can produce approximately 185 cubic yards of compost in 3 days

● Aerated Vessel (Benchmark):

o A system of 4 aerated Vessels at 8’x8’ or 8’x12’ can produce approximately 65 cubic yards of compost per month

In-Vessel Composting

PROS● High Yield (rotating drum can

generate up to 185 cubic yards in 3 days)

● Minimal Labor (for Maintenance and refilling drum)

● Potentiall Moveable (if drum on trailer is purchased)

● Creates revenue (offers the option of selling compost)

● Aesthetically pleasing (compost is contained and out of sight)

● Multiple sizes available

CONS● Large initial investment

o including shipping● Maintenance costs (Technically

greater than windrow method)

*O2 Benchmark System 1 month Process, Continuous Flow system (Filled every 30/40 days,

removed monthly) Produces approximately 780 cubic yd. per year $2,375 + shipping & Tax includes: Large Blower, Valves, Thermometer 2 size options:

4 8’x8’ side by side bins 3 8’x12’ side by side bins (pictured)

Mid-Size In-Vessel & Windrows

Mid-size In-Vessel arrangements may hold from .09 cubic yards to 3 cubic yards and can be used in conjunction with windrows.

Mid-Size In-Vessel & Windrows

PROS● Guaranteed yield● Cheap install● Larg Storage Capacity

CONS● Higher cost than windrows

only ● More labor intensive than

only in-vessel

O2 Micro System 1 month Process, Continuous Flow system (Filled every 30 days, removed

monthly) Produces approximately 80 cubic yd. per year $675 + shipping & Tax includes: blower, valves, thermometer 2 size options:

4 4’x4’ side by side bins 3 4’x6’ side by side bins (pictured)

Windrow StylePROS● Ease of transfer

o Requires only the transfer of materials

● Inherent Knowledge of System

● Historically preferred● Only extra parts needed are

more dividers● Exact yield known

CONS● Smaller yield than in-vessel

system● No progress● Lesser potential for future

profit● Same high workload● Difficulties

o making windrows tall enough to match/surpass current yield

$2,497.00 $69.89 $291.00

Traffic Barricades for Windrows

$473.98

Cost Range Avg. Length Avg. Width

Jersey Barriers $250-$500 4-6 ft. 3 ft.

Concrete Barriers $650-$3000 6-8 ft. 4 ft.

Flora Options

Chinese Elm Low Maintenance Fast Growing Wide Branch Span

Jacaranda Gorgeous Thrives in full sun Large coverage

Australian Acacia Fast Growing Draught Tolerant Low Maintenance

Ultimate Recommendation

Large in-vessel: Benchmark/Cornerstone System from O2 Compost

Systems & Training