It's Not Waste — It's Organic Matter (And It Matters)
At Goldfinch Farm, we spend a lot of time thinking about language — how the words we use shape the way we treat the world around us.
Take the phrase "yard waste" or "food waste."
We hear it all the time — in city newsletters, at garden centers, even from well-meaning neighbors. But let’s pause for a second: is that pile of leaves in the fall really waste? Is that cracked pumpkin after Halloween garbage? What about your carrot peels, eggshells, or coffee grounds?
We’d argue no. It’s not waste — it’s organic matter, and it’s full of life-giving potential.
Words Matter
Calling something "waste" sends it mentally (and too often physically) to the landfill — a place designed for the end of the line. But what if we stopped thinking of our scraps and trimmings as trash, and started seeing them for what they really are: soil in progress?
Organic matter is a resource. It holds nutrients. It breaks down into humus, enriches soil, feeds worms, builds fertility, stores carbon. It is part of a cycle that predates landfills by several million years.
The problem isn’t the material — it’s the disconnect between where it comes from and where it ends up.
When “Waste” Goes to Waste
When leaves, kitchen scraps, or grass clippings are sent to a landfill, they’re buried in low-oxygen environments where they don’t decompose properly. Instead, they emit methane, a greenhouse gas more potent than carbon dioxide. What could have been future compost ends up accelerating climate change.
It’s a lose-lose.
Closing the Loop at Goldfinch Farm
That’s why we offer a free community compost drop-off here at the farm. We take pumpkins, straw bales, garden clippings, leaves, and even produce scraps from your kitchen adventures. It all gets turned into rich compost that feeds our soil and helps grow the next round of vegetables, perennials, pasture — and food for your table.
This isn’t just a service — it’s a tiny act of climate repair, and we’re proud to offer it. Plus Megan LOVES composting.
If you use our compost drop-off and want to keep it going strong, we also accept contributions via the support button on our store. Every bit helps us invest in tools, signage, bins, and good gloves (you’d be surprised how fast those wear out).
👉 Learn more about our composting activities here.
Let’s Reframe the Conversation
Let’s stop calling it "waste." Let’s start calling it what it is: organic matter. Future compost. Soil. Life.
It belongs in the ground, not the garbage.
Thanks for helping us close the loop.
