Earth Matter NY, Inc.

April 14, 2010
Read about Earth Matter’s Bushwick Mushroom Project in the NY Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/15/garden/15mushrooms.html

FORT GREENE COMPOST PROJECT – FGCP

Do you live in Ft. Greene, Clinton Hill, or  the Downtown Brooklyn area? Do you know about  the    residential food waste drop off at the Ft.  Greene Farmer’s Market? This community  based,  volunteer organized program, now in it’s 5^th year, collects over 1500 lbs of  residential  food waste  every Saturday from 8:30 – noon at DeKalb Ave. and Washington  Park  (Cumberland). The waste is  distributed locally for  composting.

Ever wonder about what to put or not o put in the FGCP compost bins at the Ft. Greene  Market? Or,  how YOU can help the composting process along in your home and habits?

The twigs that are less than the diameter of  your finger, are ok, if they, along with all  your greens, are chopped up smaller than the  size of an outstretched hand. The smaller  the  pieces, the better, for accelerating the  decomposition process.

Breaking root balls apart into small sections  is also helpful to do before bringing to the  market. A whole root ball does not easily break down.

And the apple? You say “of course” it’s good to include.

And yes, of course it’s  good, BUT think of your    own skin. It keeps  everything in your body,   blood,   organs, etc.  from falling out right?

If the  apple’s skin or  any fruit or vegetables  –  acorn  squash, lemons, what about a coconut? If it is  not cut open before putting it into the bin at FGCP then it stays in  its original stage, inhibiting the   bacteria and fungi from being able to begin the break down process. As  all the decomposing food around the apple is breaking down, we pull out whole fruit and veggies that  were overlooked.

Volunteers otherwise have to spend a lot of time chopping your old veggies and separating and rejecting  sticks and twigs that are too large. Other mistaken compost submissions:  please, no dairy, fish or meat products.  

We prefer not to take compostable flatware and cups even though they are compostable.

Please take all compost out of all bags and containers, take off all stickers, elastic bands and ties. This is very helpful to everyone who volunteers to make the compost.

Thanks so very much!

New and return volunteers are warmly welcomed. And needed! To learn more about the FGCP and sign up through email to volunteer at the market to oversee the drop off service or to turn some of this compost in one of the participating community garden, please visit the Ft Green Compost. blogspot.com or come by the Market on a Saturday morning.

Fort Greene Compost Project – A history - Over four years ago, in 2005, a small group of compost minded community gardeners envisioned a neighborhood waste reduction program via a voluntary residential food waste drop off site at the Ft. Greene Farmer’s Market. The original concept called for farmers to take the scraps back to the farm, with local commnity gardeners taking some as desired. The initial volume, however, was insufficient to interest the farmers. The logistical issues of hauling food waste and fresh produce in the same truck were also a problem. Instead, a rotating schedule of four community gardeners was established and scraps were hauled in a wheelbarrow.

In 2006, the Citizen’s Committee for NYC funded the purchase of an industrial tricycle to haul the increasing volume.

By mid 2008, it was felt the increasing volume (then over 750 lbs) would overwhelm the established system. FGCP entered into a collaboration with Added Value to compost at Red Hook Community Farm in spring 2009.  Two garden sites were also added to the rotating schedule, and one garden withdrew to pursue local neighbor and gardener drop off.

Current volume (over 1500lbs) and  hauling distances require the use of a  truck, which is sometimes donated  usage, and sometimes a rental. The trike  is still used for short hauls.

This has meant expenses beyond sundry items. After a surevey of participants, a voluntary donation of $1. per drop off was introduced in fall 2009 to wide acceptance.

The funds also provide incentive for two farms (Rexcroft and Conuco) to take a small portion of the  waste. Some of the materials have also been diverted to volunteers working large backyard compost  systems.

Currently, participating gardens are Carlton Avenue Bears Community Garden, Prospect Heights  Com. Farm, the Secret Garden, and Woodbine St. Block Assoc. Com. Garden.

Although currently funded exclusively by user donations, these dozens of volunteers enjoy the  support of Grow NYC Greenmarket and the appreciation of the wider community.

EcoStation food growing garden bed, adjacent to the Secret Garden, Bushwick NY.

Linden Broadway Farmer’s market manager, Travis Tench, is clearing the land to prepare for growing early veggie starter plants for seasonal farmer’s market.
EcoStation: NY is a Brooklyn based NYS not for profit organization. The Secret Garden Farm and Nature Preserve is adjacent to the Linden-Bushwick Community Garden, located in the Bushwick neighborhood of Brooklyn, in an interior land lot, not visible from Broadway.  Enter by way of the Linden-Bushwick Community Garden gate, located at approximately 9 Linden Street.  Walk through the Linden-Bushwick Community Garden, and up the slight hill at the back of the garden.

EcoStation: NY volunteers are developing this natural area for use for environmental education and composting food waste. The Secret Garden is open Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday from Noon – 4 pm. Volunteers are welcome to come by and check out the Center,  join in the making of compost, and participate in the ongoing creation of this environmental center.  Classroom groups are also welcome to visit the Secret Garden.

For more school group EcoClassroom or Nature Preserve information please contact: Sean-Michael 646-393-9305. For information about composting or mushroom workshops call Kendall 718-285-8150. To volunteer at the Secret Garden Farm or Bushwick Farmers’ Market call Travis 502-494-0628. For general garden inquiries call the Garden Manager Mr. Joseph 917-442-2713.

Check back at this website for listings of free environmental workshops that will be offered during 2010 season.

Community Garden:  The community garden is adjacent to the nature preserve. EcoStation: NY is a member of this garden as well. The entire area of the center and garden is 2/3 of an acre. Pictured above is Travis Tench, hard at work, digging out a stump to make way for more area to grow food in the garden

EcoStation: NY plans to grow Callaloo greens and lots of other produce that will be available at the Bushwick Farmer’s Market this spring.

The Bushwick Farmer’s Market is on the corner of Linden and Broadway.  Market times are Wednesdays 10 till 6 pm from May to December.

The farmer’s market accepting residential food waste drops off from the public for a suggested donation of $1. This compost is processed at the Secret Garden Nature Preserve.

Hey check out our Pumpkin Smash we had last Wednesday. See the video on James Hodges Blog:
http://www.youthnoise.com/playcity/blog/view/19920Thanks James Hodges. Great video editing. We had a fun time.

Note: we only used  a half an ounce of gas to power the chainsaw. Hee Hee had fun.

The Brooklyn Ink writer Alessia Pirolo featured Earth Matter’s Bushwick Composting Station on their blog. The story feature our own Farmer Kendall.

Check it out:

http://thebrooklynink.com/featured/the-composter

Thanks Alessia!

Earth Matter inaugurates its Bushwick Composting Station located in the Secret Garden at 9 Linden Street, in Bushwick, Brooklyn, NY 11221.

On Saturday, November 10th, 2009, we processed about 1382 lbs of food waste, 77% of which was from the Fort Greene Composting Project. There were lots of pumpkins in our mix, wonder if it will smell extra pumpkin fresh when we use the compost generated this spring to plant vegetables for the Bushwick Farmers’ Market.

Thanks to all of the volunteers for helping with the design and buildout of our first system here, a four bin 100% rodent proof 4.2 yard array. We are especially, thankful to Joe Chavez, Andrew Casner, Sean-Michael Fleming, Mr. Joseph, and the Linden-Bushwick Garden for making this four year dream a reality.

Adam J Schwartz, who ended his Central Bushwick walking tour at the Secret Garden, and then stayed to load our first bin. Great Job Adam.

This sight accepts food waste from members and the general public for a suggested donation ($1+) on Wednesdays, from 11AM-3PM and on Saturdays, from 1PM-3PM yearlong.

Earth Matter NY, Inc. is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to advancing the art, science, and application of composting in and around New York City. This website will soon host listings of volunteer events and resources. Composting is fun and rewarding work that makes a positive impact on your life, neighborhood, and the environment.