23
© Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2020
I. B. Franco et al. (eds.), Actioning the Global Goals for Local Impact, Science
for Sustainable Societies, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-32-9927-6_3
Chapter 3
SDG 2 Zero Hunger
Organic Waste-to-Resource Compost Program
Development: Cultivating Circular Sustainable
Systems
Emily F. Creegan and Robert Flynn
Abstract The backbone of society and the basis of self-sufficiency is the agricultural advancement of food, fiber, fuel, and industry. However, in many nonindustrialized countries, self-sufficiency has been eroded by several factors, including
environmental impacts, lack of educational infrastructure, and inequities in resource
management and distribution. Additionally, with the rise in human populations and
climate pressures, the need to increase food production security and water conservation measures is imminent. By emulating the productivity of natural ecosystems and
returning carbon-based materials to the soil, agricultural production may be enhanced
with a reduced reliance on potentially water-polluting and often prohibitively expensive synthetic fertilizers. Through various case studies showcasing the effectiveness
of educational tools, we work to demonstrate the need for more financial investment
in biomass utilization program development in order to cultivate emerging circular
economies. Furthermore, we highlight the importance of carbon and ecosystem
cycling curriculum in school settings. In situ soil application of organic materials
engenders soil carbon sequestration – a climate change mitigation mechanism – and
overall soil health and soil water conservation. Compost processing and program
development ameliorates potential organic materials pathogen transference while
mineralizing nutrients for plant uptake.
Keywords Education · Biomass utilization · Compost · Food security · Nutrition ·
SDG 2 Zero Hunger
E. F. Creegan (*)
Department of Plant & Environmental Sciences, New Mexico State University (NMSU),
New Mexico, NM, USA
e-mail: ecreegan@nmsu.edu
R. Flynn (*)
Extension Plant Sciences Department, New Mexico State University (NMSU),
New Mexico, NM, USA
e-mail: rflynn@nmsu.edu
© Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2020
I. B. Franco et al. (eds.), Actioning the Global Goals for Local Impact, Science
for Sustainable Societies, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-32-9927-6_3
Chapter 3
SDG 2 Zero Hunger
Organic Waste-to-Resource Compost Program
Development: Cultivating Circular Sustainable
Systems
Emily F. Creegan and Robert Flynn
Abstract The backbone of society and the basis of self-sufficiency is the agricultural advancement of food, fiber, fuel, and industry. However, in many nonindustrialized countries, self-sufficiency has been eroded by several factors, including
environmental impacts, lack of educational infrastructure, and inequities in resource
management and distribution. Additionally, with the rise in human populations and
climate pressures, the need to increase food production security and water conservation measures is imminent. By emulating the productivity of natural ecosystems and
returning carbon-based materials to the soil, agricultural production may be enhanced
with a reduced reliance on potentially water-polluting and often prohibitively expensive synthetic fertilizers. Through various case studies showcasing the effectiveness
of educational tools, we work to demonstrate the need for more financial investment
in biomass utilization program development in order to cultivate emerging circular
economies. Furthermore, we highlight the importance of carbon and ecosystem
cycling curriculum in school settings. In situ soil application of organic materials
engenders soil carbon sequestration – a climate change mitigation mechanism – and
overall soil health and soil water conservation. Compost processing and program
development ameliorates potential organic materials pathogen transference while
mineralizing nutrients for plant uptake.
Keywords Education · Biomass utilization · Compost · Food security · Nutrition ·
SDG 2 Zero Hunger
E. F. Creegan (*)
Department of Plant & Environmental Sciences, New Mexico State University (NMSU),
New Mexico, NM, USA
e-mail: ecreegan@nmsu.edu
R. Flynn (*)
Extension Plant Sciences Department, New Mexico State University (NMSU),
New Mexico, NM, USA
e-mail: rflynn@nmsu.edu