Composting Livestock Manure

Conservation District manure exchange program

Introduction

How to Compost Manure

Manure Nutrients

Using Composted Manure Safely

Manure Exchange Program

The Manure Exchange Program

Local County Conservation Districts have organized a new free program that that will benefit both livestock owners and gardeners. It is a manure exchange program that will bring gardeners searching for free organic fertilizer in contact with livestock owners that have excess composted manure.

The program's goal is to remove the composted manure from farms that do not have the acreage to adequately utilize its nutrients. This will benefit water quality by removing the excess nutrients from farms and by lowering the amount of non-organic commercial fertilizer used by local gardeners.

A list of farms with excess composted manure is available at each local District office. Once they get the list, gardeners can then contact the participating farmers to obtain information on where and when they can pick up the free compost. Participating livestock owners are encouraged to fully compost their manure and bedding in order to make their product more desirable to gardeners.

Local Conservation District Offices

Select your local Conservation District Office from the map linked below to obtain the Manure Exchange Farm List, or to have your farm entered into the exchange. If your county does not have a specified contact, try the Conservation District office nearest you.

Map of Washington State Conservation Districts

Back to Composting Home

More information about this topic is available through your local WSU Extension Office