163: Onsite Compost Production Using Vineyard Waste

<p>Like with many projects on a sustainable farm, composting at Niner Wines Estates began with a problem; what could be done with all the pumice from the winemaking operations. Patrick Muran Winemaker at Niner Wine Estates started experimenting with thermal aerobic composting in 2016. With a 200-acre property, the farm has a diverse array of plant material coming from the restaurant garden, cover crops, and vineyards. Patrick explains how they turned a waste stream product into a valuable commodity including what temperature a compost pile must reach, what plant material to include, how to inoculate a new pile, and how long it takes to make top quality compost.</p> <h2>References:</h2> <ul> <li><a href= "https://vineyardteam.app.neoncrm.com/np/clients/vineyardteam/event.jsp?event=169&"> 1/20/2023 REGISTER: Improving Soil Health with Compost & Vermiculture Tailgate</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.vineyardteam.org/podcast/?id=756">53: Producing Compost and Carbon Sequestration</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.vineyardteam.org/podcast/?id=894">106: What? Bury Charcoal in the Vineyard?</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.vineyardteam.org/podcast/?id=970">151: The Role of the Soil Microbiome in Soil Health</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.vineyardteam.org/podcast/?id=971">153: The Role of Nematodes in Soil Health</a></li> <li><a href= "http://www.vineyardteam.org/files/resources/Aerated_Compost_Tea_Western%20SARE.pdf"> Aerated Compost Tea</a></li> <li><a href= "https://www.elsevier.com/books/the-composting-handbook/rynk/978-0-323-85602-7"> Composting Handbook</a></li> <li><a href= "https://ecommons.cornell.edu/handle/1813/45901">Compost Use for Improved Soil Poster Series</a></li> <li><a href="http://hdl.handle.net/1813/2312">Improving and Maintaining Compost Quality</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.ninerwine.com">Niner Wine Estates</a></li> <li><a href= "https://www.sipcertified.org/get-certified/self-assessment/">SIP Certified</a></li> <li><a href="http://hdl.handle.net/1813/2313">Testing Composts</a></li> <li><a