compost

October 16, 2025

Soil health is a cornerstone of sustainable agriculture, and the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service is taking steps to support it through Conservation Practice Standard Code 336. This initiative, part of the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), offers financial incentives to land managers who apply soil carbon amendments, such as compost, biochar, and blended materials, to improve soil quality and sequester carbon. For compost and biochar producers, this program could be a significant driver of demand for compost and biochar products that meet USDA standards for soil carbon amendments.

Why Soil Carbon Amendments Matter
The USDA’s Code 336 program enhances soil organic matter, increases carbon sequestration and soil carbon stocks, improves soil aggregate stability, and supports healthy soil ecosystems. These benefits contribute to long-term agricultural productivity and align with broader climate resilience goals.

Reimbursement Rates and Financial Incentives
Reimbursement rates vary by state and are higher for historically underserved (HU) land managers. EQIP covers the cost of purchasing, transporting, and applying soil carbon amendments. For example, in Massachusetts, reimbursement for 100% biochar is $211.37 per cubic yard, while HU land managers receive $253.64. Blended compost/biochar options and small-area applications are also eligible, with rates adjusted accordingly.

Here’s a snapshot of some Massachusetts EQIP rates:

Eligible Land Types in USDA EQIP Code 366
The program applies to a wide range of land uses, including:

• Cropland
• Pasture
• Rangeland
• Forest
• Developed land
• Farmsteads
• Associated agricultural lands

Landowners are responsible for planning and implementing the amendment applications, including securing necessary permits. EQIP may also reimburse planning and testing costs, provided the soil at the proposed site is evaluated and found to need amendment.

Standards for Compost and Biochar in USDA EQIP Code 366
To qualify for reimbursement, amendments must meet specific criteria, including:

Compost Requirements

• Must be produced via controlled aerobic decomposition
• Should carry the US Composting Council’s Seal of Testing Assurance (STA) or meet USDA-defined parameters
• Must be free of contaminants like glass, plastic, and metal

Biochar Requirements

• Must be produced through pyrolysis or gasification at temperatures above 350°C
• Should be IBI-certified or meet USDA standards
• Origin and production method must be documented

Conclusions About USDA EQIP Code 366
The USDA’s EQIP Code 336 program offers a valuable opportunity for land managers to enhance soil health while receiving financial support. By encouraging the use of compost and biochar, the program promotes sustainable agriculture and helps build a robust market for carbon-based soil amendments.

For compost and biochar producers, this program could be a significant driver of demand for products and support environmentally beneficial practices across many land uses.

Additional Resources:

• Natural Resources Conservation Service – Soil Carbon Amendment
• Ask the Author – SCS’s Greg McCarron is pleased to support those interested by answering your questions
• Organics Management and Composting

August 26, 2025

Join SCS Engineers as Speakers and Sponsors at the 2025 New Mexico Recycling and Solid Waste Conference taking place in downtown Santa Fe, New Mexico at the Santa Fe Community Convention Center on September 30th through October 1^st. SCS Engineers is proud to serve as both a sponsor and presenter at this year’s New Mexico Recycling and Solid Waste Conference. The two-day event will feature keynote speakers, breakout sessions, networking opportunities, and the Recycling and Solid Waste Awards.

Featured Presentation:
Compost Generation and Use in New Mexico
Presented by Erik Martig, Project Director, SCS Engineers

This session will highlight findings from a recent study commissioned by the New Mexico Department of Agriculture, exploring compost generation and use across the state. Topics include regulations, waste stream data, industry challenges, in-state case studies, neighboring state comparisons, outreach and education, and federal program support. The study provides valuable insights for stakeholders—whether starting a composting operation or planning broader industry growth.

January 31, 2024

Connect with SCS experts at the 2024 CT Compost Conference presented by the Connecticut Compost Alliance at Connecticut College on March 14th in New London, CT. This free, one-day event features engaging in-person sessions where attendees can learn more about how composting benefits local communities, businesses, residents, farms, the environment and improve climate resiliency.

SCS National Expert on Organics, Greg McCarron, PE, will present and exhibit.

SCS is proud to be a Silver sponsor for this exciting event. Registration is free and open to the public.

January 11, 2016

Organic materials management is of high interest in our industry.  This interest is being driven by state and city regulations and other government policies for diversion of organics from disposal facilities.  Five states have food waste disposal bans, including Massachusetts, California, Vermont, Connecticut and Rhode Island, which are in various stages of implementation.  Some cities have food waste disposal bans, including San Francisco, Seattle, Portland (Oregon), and Austin.  Many states and government agencies have organic diversion policies and goals; e.g., USEPA has a 50 percent reduction goal for food waste sent to landfills, nationwide, by 2030.

SCS is helping public and private entities evaluate their organic waste streams and the applicability of established and emerging technologies (e.g., composting, anaerobic digestion) to their specific communities and circumstances.  Current and recent project examples include the following:

• Compost facility design, permitting, and operations at for five compost facilities in the Northeast, located in Massachusetts, Rhode Island and New Jersey. For the Sam White and Sons, Inc. compost facility located in Middleboro, Massachusetts, operations services include provision and use of a truck-mounted mixer to mix food and leaves, and a Komptech X-60 compost turner to turn the windrows. Sam White sells the finished product through its network of purchasers.  SCS has had “boots on the ground” at this facility since 2013, gaining real-world experience with open-windrow composting of various organic materials.
• Organics recycling plan for Eastern Placer County, California. SCS is currently assisting the County develop an organics recycling plan, which includes evaluating technologies (e.g., in-vessel composting, aerated static pile (ASP) composting, anaerobic digestion) and recommending an approach to fit their specific needs and circumstances.
• Characterization of diverted waste materials for composting at the University of Maryland (UM).  This was a one-week residential pilot project at Easton Hall on campus. SCS hand-sorted the materials and compiled the data and results into a letter report.
• Evaluation of organic waste processing facilities for the Town of Smithtown, New York. SCS is researching and evaluating the impacts of organic waste processing facilities (OWPFs), and identifying the Best Management Practices (BMPs) for operating and regulating indoor OWPFs. SCS’s work will support the Town’s efforts to develop and implement ordinance amendment(s) that would permit and regulate such facilities in the Town.

SCS is actively pursuing work in the organics materials management sector and has a staff devoted to staying current with the latest trends and technologies.  SCS can evaluate, design, permit, construct and operate organics facilities, using varying technologies.  Compost technologies that SCS is considering for implementation include:

• Open, turned windrows
• Aerated static piles with covers
• In-vessel systems

Anaerobic digestion (AD) technologies that SCS is considering for implementation include high solids (dry) or low solids (wet) systems.  High solids/dry systems are applicable for food and yard waste.  Dry systems for food and yard waste generally use tunnels, which are gas-tight, concrete, garage-like chambers and are loaded using front-end loaders.  Low solids/wet systems are applicable for manure, sludges, and liquid industrial waste.  Wet systems generally use vessels, which are mixed and are fed using pumps.

Learn more about these SCS services.

About Greg McCarron