Turning Waste Into Gold
If you’ve been following us on social media, you know that Megan LLLLOOOOVVVVVEEEEESSSSS composting, more than most parts of farming. But do you know why?
At Goldfinch Farm, we believe in giving everything a second chance – whether it’s the soil we nurture, the animals we care for, or even your yard waste. That’s why we’re thrilled to offer a drop-off composting program, a simple way to transform waste into rich compost that fuels our farm and fights climate change.
What Can You Drop Off?
We accept a wide variety of materials that might otherwise end up in landfills, including:
Fall decorations: Pumpkins, corn stalks, straw bales, etc.
Yard waste: Leaves, grass clippings, small branches.
Woodchips: Often discarded by landscaping crews but invaluable to us.
These items break down beautifully into nutrient-rich compost, which helps us grow healthy crops, enrich our soil, and support a thriving ecosystem.
Why Composting Beats the Landfill
You might not think twice about tossing yard waste or a pumpkin into the trash, but where it ends up matters. When organic materials decompose in a landfill, they’re buried under layers of trash and don’t get the oxygen they need to break down naturally. Instead, they produce methane, a greenhouse gas that’s 25 times more potent than carbon dioxide.
By composting instead, we not only reduce methane emissions but also create a valuable resource for the soil. It’s a win-win for the environment and our community.
What Happens to Your Waste at Goldfinch Farm?
First Stop: Feeding Our Farm Animals
Before your yard waste becomes compost, we feed what we can to our animals. Pumpkins, for example, are a nutritious treat that our goats love munching on, while leftover corn stalks can be a fun snack for them to nibble. This practice not only reduces waste even further but also provides healthy enrichment for our animals. It’s a great way to keep our goats happy while giving organic material a second life.
Second Stop: The Pile(s)
Once your materials arrive, we sort them carefully (good stuff to the animals, decomposing stuff to the piles). Here’s how “The Piles” works:
Layering: Yard waste, straw, and other organic materials are layered to balance carbon and nitrogen content for optimal decomposition. Bedding from the animals is a great mix alright and really heats things up.
Turning: The compost pile temperature is monitored daily and the pile is aerated regularly to encourage natural breakdown and prevent unpleasant odors.
Transformation: Over time, these materials break down into dark, crumbly compost – a gardener’s dream and the foundation of sustainable farming. In fact its the only way we can grow produce on our heavy clay soils.
A Community Effort
One of the things we love most about this program is how it connects us to you. By choosing to drop off your yard waste at Goldfinch Farm, you’re joining a growing movement of people who care about sustainability and reducing their environmental footprint. Together, we’re creating a cycle of renewal – taking waste and turning it into something that supports life.
How You Can Participate
It’s easy! Just gather your yard waste or leftover decorations and bring them to the farm. There’s no need to call ahead – we’re ready to receive your organic materials during daylight hours.
So next time you’re raking leaves, breaking down your Halloween display, or cleaning up your yard, remember: those scraps don’t belong in the landfill. Bring them to Goldfinch Farm instead and help us grow something amazing.
