Huntington Times

The Marshall University Compost Facility is set to commence its weekly sales of Herd Dirt, a nutrient-rich compost, on Saturday, March 8. According to Amy Parsons-White, director of the sustainability department at Marshall University, "Herd Dirt is a very valuable asset for any garden."

Parsons-White explained the benefits of Herd Dirt: "Herd Dirt compost helps retain moisture in the soil during dry periods, feeds beneficial soil organisms and adds nutrients." She further elaborated that while fertilizers provide only three nutrients—nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium—compost offers approximately 20 additional nutrients. It also enhances the soil's ability to retain these nutrients for plant use.

The compost facility was launched under Marshall University's Sustainability Department in April 2023. It utilizes an XACT Systems BioReactor for accelerated and automated aerobic composting with a capacity of eight tons per day. Additionally, the facility includes a worm bin containing over 50,000 red wiggler worms capable of processing another three tons daily.

Parsons-White emphasized the community value of Herd Dirt: "Our ability to offer Herd Dirt Compost is a valuable asset to our community by reducing landfill bound waste and creating a product that will make our local soils healthier." She noted that composted soils can hold more water than regular soils, which helps reduce runoff and flooding.

Sales will take place every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. until April 26 at the university’s facility located at 1012 Norway Ave., Huntington. The price for Herd Dirt is $10 per 0.75 cubic foot bag or $8 if customers bring their own five-gallon bucket. There is a limit of five bags per customer, with payment options including cash, credit, and debit cards.

For more information about Marshall University's composting efforts or other sustainability initiatives, interested parties are encouraged to visit their website.