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3.1 Introduction
A revival of nurturing a full cycle organic waste-to-resource system, with educator,
community, nonprofit, public and private entities, and farmer collaborations, is crucial to sustainable community and agricultural development. However, all stakeholders should be sensitive to the desires of the local people, their culture, and society and
cognizant of available and applicable resources and technologies. Furthermore, academics should communicate with the public and extend their knowledge through
outreach services. Based on various case studies showcasing the effectiveness of
curriculum and educational tools, more financial investment in biomass utilization
education and carbon source availability is needed in developing circular economies.
The United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2 encompasses the need
to “end hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture.” Additionally, both the UN Millennium Development Goals
(MDGs) and SDG 6 highlight the need to develop more holistic waste management
and water conservation measures. These goals can be fostered by both improved soil
organic matter (SOM) practices and effective compost program development.
Compost processing is the controlled decomposition of organic materials; by harnessing naturally occurring bacteria, thermophilic or “hot compost” reduces organic
materials pathogen potential. Compost processing of locally produced organic waste
materials provides safe and optimal handling and processing of organic waste
streams. Compost case studies, outlining substrate and system feasibility analyses,
highlight several interrelated food-security and environmental benefits.
Living or once living materials, known as organic matter, organic materials, or
biomass, serve as a nexus for nutrient cycling, water conservation, moderation of
climate change, and food production. Human excrement, animal manures, and food
waste pose deleterious effects to watersheds and overall community health, particularly in many non-industrialized regions where waste management and sewage
treatment infrastructure may be lacking. The utilization of organic waste materials
via compost processing has been shown to enhance soil and plant productivity,
increase soil water retention, sequester carbon, and decrease external synthetic fertilizer and chemical inputs. This chapter provides an educational model for organic
waste-to-resource initiatives associated with food production for long-term sustainability in alignment with SDG 2 Zero Hunger.
3.2 Literature Review
3.2.1 Agricultural Nutrient Sources
The soil naturally cycles and recycles organic materials in the form of leaves, twigs,
microorganisms, bird droppings, and other biota. The soil encompasses biological,
physical, and chemical components. Oxygen fills soil pore spaces among soil particles which provide oxygen to soil microorganisms and plant roots. Soil pore spaces
E. F. Creegan and R. Flynn
3.1 Introduction
A revival of nurturing a full cycle organic waste-to-resource system, with educator,
community, nonprofit, public and private entities, and farmer collaborations, is crucial to sustainable community and agricultural development. However, all stakeholders should be sensitive to the desires of the local people, their culture, and society and
cognizant of available and applicable resources and technologies. Furthermore, academics should communicate with the public and extend their knowledge through
outreach services. Based on various case studies showcasing the effectiveness of
curriculum and educational tools, more financial investment in biomass utilization
education and carbon source availability is needed in developing circular economies.
The United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2 encompasses the need
to “end hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture.” Additionally, both the UN Millennium Development Goals
(MDGs) and SDG 6 highlight the need to develop more holistic waste management
and water conservation measures. These goals can be fostered by both improved soil
organic matter (SOM) practices and effective compost program development.
Compost processing is the controlled decomposition of organic materials; by harnessing naturally occurring bacteria, thermophilic or “hot compost” reduces organic
materials pathogen potential. Compost processing of locally produced organic waste
materials provides safe and optimal handling and processing of organic waste
streams. Compost case studies, outlining substrate and system feasibility analyses,
highlight several interrelated food-security and environmental benefits.
Living or once living materials, known as organic matter, organic materials, or
biomass, serve as a nexus for nutrient cycling, water conservation, moderation of
climate change, and food production. Human excrement, animal manures, and food
waste pose deleterious effects to watersheds and overall community health, particularly in many non-industrialized regions where waste management and sewage
treatment infrastructure may be lacking. The utilization of organic waste materials
via compost processing has been shown to enhance soil and plant productivity,
increase soil water retention, sequester carbon, and decrease external synthetic fertilizer and chemical inputs. This chapter provides an educational model for organic
waste-to-resource initiatives associated with food production for long-term sustainability in alignment with SDG 2 Zero Hunger.
3.2 Literature Review
3.2.1 Agricultural Nutrient Sources
The soil naturally cycles and recycles organic materials in the form of leaves, twigs,
microorganisms, bird droppings, and other biota. The soil encompasses biological,
physical, and chemical components. Oxygen fills soil pore spaces among soil particles which provide oxygen to soil microorganisms and plant roots. Soil pore spaces
E. F. Creegan and R. Flynn