Field Trip Schedule

On Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday afternoons, students will be visiting different commercial, community and farm composting sites.

Monday Afternoon

·         Pauline Dube (Pat Jackson/Tri-city Septic), Belgrade

This site in Belgrade, Maine has a containerized (invessel) compost system designed and built by Green Mountain Technologies. As of June, 2003, it is the only system of this type in Maine. The site also includes a dewatering facility for the septage and a windrow compost operation. The Green Mountain Technologies containers are used as the first stage of the compost process in which the requirements for pathogen and vector attraction reduction are met. The partially composted material is then placed in turned windrows to complete the composting process.

•   Dr. Will Brinton, (Woods End Research Laboratories), Mt. Vernon

Woods End Labs has been a recognized international leader in all aspects of composting science and practice for nearly two decades.  Recently, Woods End has embarked into the field of Anaerobic Digestion and Biogas Fermentation.  At Woods End, students will be exposed to numerous cutting-edge research projects revolving around compost quality and end uses.

• George Belmont, (Hawk Ridge Compost Facility), Unity Plantation
  
  This is the largest sludge compost facility in the state.  The ingredients used include bedding from laboratory animals, wood shavings/sawdust and sludge.  An invessel system, known as the Dutch Tunnel system is used.  The facility uses a large pugmill mixer to premix the ingredients which are then loaded into the tunnels.  Aeration is provided by blowing air up through slots in the floor. The facility also has a large outside curing area and a biofilter for treating exhaust gasses from the tunnels.  The product is primarily sold in bulk for large construction jobs.
   
• Wes Kinney, (Kinney Compost), Thorndike
  
  This operation is based on an organic livestock and crop farm in Thorndike, Maine.   The inputs include animal bedding, sawdust/shavings and fish processing by-products.  A simple windrow process is used in which the material is turned with available farm equipment.  In the past most of the product was sold in bulk, but recently, a bagging operation has been added.  The product is selling under the name ‘Kinney Compost’.

Thursday Afternoon

• Mike Pelletier, (Lewiston/Auburn Water Pollution Control Authority), Lewiston (photo)

The Lewiston/Auburn Water Pollution Control Authority (LAWPCA) serves a population of 90,000 residents and has been successfully re-using its sewage sludge since the early 1980’s.  The facility utilizes an agitated bin, in-vessel system engineered by Longwood Manufacturing Corporation.  The system consists of six, 210 foot long by 9 foot wide by 7 foot high composting bins.  Each bin floor is porous and supplemental aeration is provided along its entire length, to enhance active, aerobic composting.  Compost mixtures are also turned by overhead mixers, which travel on rails located on top of each compost bin sidewall.  The LAWPCA facility operates from October through June of each year.

• Mark Goddard, (Little River Compost), Lisbon Falls

This facility was originally designed as a medium scale sludge compost facility, utilizing the aerated static pile composting methodology.  Currently, Mark uses this facility to compost horse bedding, cow manure, poultry manure and some seafood residuals.  Annually he processes 5000 cubic yards of combined feedstocks, generating between 3,000 and 3,500 cubic yards of finished compost annually.

At each site operators freely share their information and answer questions that students may have.  

On Friday, the optional Certificate Exam will be given. Students will also have the opportunity to complete their course evaluation form. 

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