Sometimes I worry that the complex interlocking systems that support my life will collapse and I, as a helpless individual human, will suffer and perish alongside those I love. I don’t understand AI or international economics and supply chains or constitutional law. But I know we need good soil to grow good food to maintain healthy bodies and minds.
Here on the Northside of Madison, we have an opportunity to preserve our collective health through Community Composting.
The Dane County Department of Waste and Renewables has been working to support composting for some time. According to an FAQ page linked on the W&R website, “over 30% of the material that goes into the Dane County Landfill is organic material that could be composted and recycled back into soil.”
Northsiders may have noticed and tried out the new Scrap Stop in Warner Park. This is part of the county’s effort to support the growth of a circular economy, keeping our resources here to build local resilience. Residential food scraps collected at five area scrap stops are composted at Purple Cow Organics in Waunakee. According to the Scrap Stop Newsletter published Oct. 23, total collections since June at all locations exceeded 43,000 pounds.
Many people also maintain backyard compost piles to feed their own gardens. This practice can be gratifying and easy enough with the right preparation. The City of Madison Streets Division offers a Home Composting Guide on their website, with paper copies free at local libraries. Some people compost on a small scale with indoor worm bins or bokashi systems for use in small spaces.
Community Composting adds a layer of connection to the work of building soil health, bringing neighbors together to work side by side. Imagine a series of neighborhood and community hubs where compost inputs could be collected in larger volumes, leading to “hot piles” that break down food waste more quickly and efficiently. Imagine working alongside others to build piles, sharing knowledge and skills so that the physical work also stimulates the mind, and our collective intelligence grows alongside healthier soil ecosystems.
There is a lot we don’t understand about the interrelationships among organisms that grow productive soil, but we are learning. Composting together helps us see the possibilities and eat well with lower food costs.
Community compost hubs already exist in Madison at a variety of community gardens and urban farms, such as Neighborhood Food Solutions on the Southside, Prairie Hills Community Garden on the Westside, and Troy Farm here on the Northside.
Northside Community Composting (NCC) is a new group aiming to increase compost accessibility in our area. This season we collected food scraps at the Northside Farmer’s Market. This volunteer-run effort was supported by Brainplate Grows, the ecosystem services organization that runs Troy Compost. Over the course of the market season, we collected 2,698 pounds of scraps and recycled them into soil.
If you would like to connect with NCC, reach out to NorthsideCommunity
Compost@gmail.com.
