Manure Exchange Program

By: Mary Logalbo, Marion Soil and Water Conservation District

Marion Soil and Water Conservation District has a new free program that will benefit the livestock owners and gardeners of our District and beyond. The Manure Exchange Program brings together gardeners and landowners searching for sources of local, free, organic fertilizer with livestock owners and managers with excess fresh and composted manure.

The goal of the program is to help farmers that need to dispose of manure because they do not have the land available to utilize the nutrients on their farm. The program works in conjunction with the local Agricultural Water Quality Plan by removing a potential source of water pollution from farms. The exchange program will also benefit others in the community seeking a nearby source for fresh fertilizer. This is a great way to recycle our natural resources! Marion SWCD is maintaining a list of livestock owners that wish to share their manure. The livestock owners provide information on how they wish to be contacted, the type of manure they have, and where they are located. Interested gardeners may obtain the list from our office or by checking our the Manure Exchange Program Website to find a source of manure near them. The program is designed to help people share manure with one another and there will be no fees charged for the material. Unless the farmer has tested the pile to determine weed seed viability, Marion SWCD recommends that you treat it as raw organic matter and compost it further before use.

The program is still seeking livestock owners to participate in the program. For more information on the program or to sign up as a manure donor, please contact Marion SWCD at 503-399-5741 ext. 110. There is an information sheet that any livestock owners wishing to participate must complete and submit via e-mail, FAX, or mail. This manure source sign up sheet is also available via on our website.

Please contact Mary Logalbo 503-399-5741 ext. 110 for additional information.

There are currently no posts in this category.