As urban farms and community gardens work to improve productivity, reduce food waste and build healthy soils, on-site composting is becoming more essential. The Iowa State University Urban Agriculture Program has released a new publication, “The ABCs of Urban Composting,” to help communities and urban growers compost safely, effectively and in compliance with state and local regulations.

The publication authored by Kapil Arora, field agricultural engineer with ISU Extension and Outreach, provides a practical, step-by-step overview of:

• What composting is and which materials are appropriate
• Iowa permitting requirements and Iowa Department of Natural Resources guidelines
• Best practices for managing the process, including worker safety, monitoring, curing and quality standards

The guide is most useful for producers looking to expand beyond a backyard composting operation or transform a vacant city lot into a safe, efficient compost facility.

“The ABCs of Urban Composting” is available for download at no cost for through the ISU Extension Store.

Browse the Urban Agriculture Program website for additional information and resources.