After a lengthy process, Washington State University’s compost is certified organic by the Washington state Department of Agriculture.  Rick Finch, Manager at WSU Waste Management said they looked at organic certification years ago, but at that time, no one was interested in paying the premium price.  He said as the organic movement grew at WAZZU and in Washington Ag, certification seemed like a natural fit.

 

“When WSU developed the organic farm, and with a big donation and our organics program we have here, all of a sudden we were motivated to want to be able to provide soil amendment for that facility.”

 

Finch said being certified organic is great for WSU, as well as Palouse area growers.

 

“In our limited area quantities of bulk materials available locally is real important to their production.”

 

Finch noted they’ve been able to work with Dinning Services for much of their material.  He added, while organic compost has become more popular, they cannot take materials to be added to the compost.

 

 

 

 

 

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