Amy Parsons-White, director of the sustainability department, says Herd Dirt is a very valuable asset for any garden.
“Herd Dirt compost helps retain moisture in the soil during dry periods, feeds beneficial soil organisms and adds nutrients,” said Parsons-White. “Fertilizers contain only three nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium), while compost provides about 20 additional nutrients. It also increases the soil’s ability to retain nutrients, which allows the plant to access them when it needs it.”
Herd Dirt is a product of the compost facility, operated under Marshall University’s Sustainability Department, which officially opened in April 2023. The facility uses an XACT Systems BioReactor, which is a type of digester that offers an accelerated, automated and aerobic composting system. It has the capacity to compost eight tons of organic waste per day. In addition to the digester, the compost facility also houses a worm bin, which contains more than 50,000 red wiggler worms that are capable of composting another three tons of waste each day.
“Our ability to offer Herd Dirt Compost is a valuable asset to our community by reducing landfill bound waste and creat4ing a product that will make our local soils healthier,” said Parsons-White. “Composted soils are able to hold more water, which reduces runoff, flooding and standing water. As a matter of fact, one pound of compost added to regular soil will retain four gallons more water than soil alone.”
Compost sales will continue every Saturday from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. through April 26 at the university’s compost facility, which is located at 1012 Norway Ave. in Huntington. The cost for Herd Dirt is $10 for a 0.75 cubit foot bag or $8 to fill your own five-gallon bucket. There is a five-bag limit per customer. Cash, credit and debit cards are accepted.
To learn more about the Marshall University composting facility, click here. To learn about other efforts by Marshall’s Sustainability Department, click here.