A Windrow is an elongated mound made from compostable material. Farmers commonly use these hills as a method of producing compost. In this process, farmers collect raw materials to form these mounds, making sure that they are peaked on top for rainfall to land evenly. These mounds have to be watched and regularly turned to ensure that the materials are distributed evenly and that there is no buildup of moisture. The advantage of using windrows is that they can be made in the very fields that they are going to be used in, reducing the amount of the emissions generated during transport.

Composting provides several benefits for farmers and the public. It reduces the amount of refuse going to landfills by taking certain biodegradable wastes and putting them to new use. Compost not only supports plant growth by strengthening soil to hold water and nutrients better but also reduces the need for chemical pesticides as it contains microorganisms that protect plants from diseases and pests.

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Other Sources

EcologyDictionary.org. “Windrow.” EcologyDictionary.org. 2008. http://www.ecologydictionary.org/windrow. Accessed May 9, 2016.

Frankenfield, Andrew. “Compost: How to Make It and How Much to Use.” Penn State. http://extension.psu.edu/business/start-farming/soils-and-soil-management/compost-how-to-make-it-and-how-much-to-use. Accessed May 10, 2016.

Martin, Hugh. “Agricultural Composting Basics.” Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. August 2015. http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/engineer/facts/05-023.htm#methods. Accessed May 10, 2016.

Washington State University. “Compost Benefits & Uses.” Compost Fundamentals. http://whatcom.wsu.edu/ag/compost/fundamentals/benefits_benefits.htm. May 10, 2016.