Farm composting may expand with change in regulations

The Boulder County Community Planning and Permitting staff is proposing text amendments to the Boulder County Land Use Code related to composting incidental to farming found in the Composting Facility use section 4-506.A. The proposed text amendments are intended to better facilitate composting in a manner that is supportive of regenerative agricultural practices and allows farmers to retail the finished product.

The goals of this project include reducing local barriers to composting as an implement for regenerative agricultural practice. Agricultural producers have had difficulty sourcing quality compost material and the compost material that is available from only on-site sources often lacks the requisite nutrients to create a quality product.

Allowing farmers to source compost materials from off-site would provide access to the materials they need for composting to be successful, according to the staff. Another goal cited by staff is to close the loop on the circular economy. Local producers want to not only be able to collect compost input material from the public, but also to be able to retail finished compost product, creating a circular system. The staff also seeks to clarify code language in regards to the provisions for backyard composting and composting incidental to farming operations.

"We're always looking for better solutions for our farmers and our community," said Chandra Valenza, Education and Outreach Coordinator of the Boulder County Public Works Department. "We need to be smarter about composting and find the most efficient use for it. With stronger provisions, our farmers will have healthier soil, better water quality, and more abundant crops."

Local farms that would likely benefit from these revisions to the Land Use Code are Aspen Moon Farm, between Hygiene and Longmont, Cure Organic Farm at Valmont Road and 75th Street in Boulder, Ela Family Farms in Hotchkiss, and Kilt Farm at the Diagonal and Oxford Road.

New regulations are required to protect stormwater quality, such as preventing runoff from composting from leaving the property and entering a body of water; and the location of composting activities must be outside the 100-year floodplain and at least 100 feet from wells and at least 50 feet from streams, or other water features.

If you have questions or comments regarding the proposed amendments, a Planning Commission hearing will be held on Wednesday, June 21 at 2:30 p.m. Attendees can join through Zoom or in person at the Boulder County Courthouse, 3rd Floor, 1325 Pearl Street, Boulder. Email [email protected] to register for the Zoom link.