Sustainability
BLESSINGS BLENDS is dedicated to the principles of sustaining our natural resources while developing premium products for agriculture, horticulture, landscape, turf and gardening needs. Our compost is produced locally on the Delmarva Peninsula. Converting organic waste into beneficial products which help to improve the land and preserve water quality is part of our mission to help restore the Chesapeake Bay.
2. Blessing Compost Facility
• Largest organic waste handler on Delmarva, solely dedicated to
processing poultry waste streams.
• Governed by DNREC permit # DM 1102-5-03
• Founded in 2005
• Currently marketing finished compost products to agriculture, turf
and horticulture.
Sustainability
BLESSINGS BLENDS is dedicated to the principles of sustaining our
natural resources while developing premium products for
agriculture, horticulture, landscape, turf and home gardening needs.
Our compost is produced locally on the Delmarva Peninsula.
Converting organic waste into beneficial products which help to
improve the land and preserve water quality is part of our mission to
help restore the Chesapeake and Inland Bays
4. WHAT IS BLESSINGS BLENDS COMPOST?
Components:
Poultry Waste
Hatchery Waste
Yard Waste
Stable Bedding
Straw
Hay
Forestry Waste
Compost is a rich, dark, humus material created
by the decomposition of organic material.
7. What makes BLESSING BLENDS
Premium Compost Plus+ Better
• Through composting, poultry litter becomes more stable and less likely to lose
valuable N-P-K through volatilization, leaching and runoff.
• The lower C:N ratio (10:1) in BLESSING BLENDS is a result of higher proteinaceous
inputs and therefore the compost contains a better supply of micronutrients than
other “typical” compost (C:N = 30:1).
• The use of hatchery waste in BLESSINGS BLENDS Premium Compost sets the
product apart from other compost in the higher than usual calcium carbonate
content of the compost.
• Proper blending of raw organic products to achieve a homogenous, consistent
recipe.
• Monitoring process conditions to ensure consistent quality of the finished product
and favorable conditions for beneficial organisms.
• Testing for nutrients in each batch of product to ensure a consistent product for
the consumer.
• Processing temperatures (140 – 160 degrees) to ensure pathogen elimination and
provide protection for handlers and consumers.
8. FINANCIAL BENEFITS OF COMPOST IN AGRICULTURE
• Higher yields - compost improves soil structure and fertility and can
increase a crop’s yield potential. 1
• Fertilizer substitution - compost contains crop – available nutrients which
will help save costs. Useful N - P - K content can improve your soil indices
and remove the need for additional fertilizers. 1
• Better water management – compost can prevent heavy soils becoming
water logged by increasing water infiltration. It will also help light soils hold
on to water, making it available for crop growth during dry periods. 1
• Fuel savings and traffic tolerance – compost improves soil
structure, making it more easy to work while saving using less
fuel, improving soil structure will make it more resistant to compaction from
traffic and will extend the conditions in which it can be worked. 1
• Makes fertilizer more efficient – Complements and can enhance the
performance of inorganic fertilizers, reducing the overall quantity needed –
better for your pocket and the environment. 1
AS FERTILIZER PRICES RISE, THE BENEFITS OF USING COMPOST
BECOME MORE CLEAR. 1
9. Environmental Benefits of Using Compost
• Compost helps prevent pollution – Compost has the ability to prevent
pollutants in stormwater runoff from reaching surface water resources. 2
• Improves water holding capacity – thus reducing water loss and leaching
in sandy soils. 3
• Increases infiltration and permeability of heavy soils – thus reducing
erosion and runoff. 3
• Releases nutrients over time – Most nutrients in compost are in an
organic form. These nutrients are released slowly over a long period of
time. This results in a more efficient utilization of nitrogen and a decreased
potential for nitrogen leaching. Nutrients become available to plant roots at
a slower rate from compost compared to inorganic fertilizers. 4
• Composting poultry manure eliminates N loss by leaching – In a
greenhouse experiment, composting poultry layer manure was found to
effectively eliminate N loss by leaching while significantly increasing
switchgrass growth on minespoil material. 5
10. Problems with Raw Chicken Manure
When used in Agriculture
• Nitrogen volatilization
11. Concerns about chicken
manure use in Agriculture
• Pollution – Oxygen-demanding substances, ammonia, nutrients (particularly
nitrogen and phosphorus), solids, pathogens, and odorous compounds are the
pollutants most commonly associated with manure. 7
• Pathogens and Nitrates – In ground water, pathogens and nitrates from manure
can impact human heath via drinking water. Nitrate contamination is more
prevalent in ground waters than surface waters. This can result in potentially fatal
health risks to infants. 7
• Salmonella, Campylobacter and Listeria – These organisms are often present in
manure of poultry. 8
• Arsenic, copper & zinc – Animal manures, particularly poultry, contain relatively
high concentrations of these heavy metals. High concentrations of heavy metals
have been documented in runoff water of soils fertilized with animal manure.
• Phosphorus Runoff – The biggest environmental concern with respect to animal
manures is currently phosphorus runoff, since it is normally the limiting nutrient
for eutrophication. Eutrophication has been identified as the biggest water quality
problem in United States surface waters.
12. NPK analysis of Current Compost Batches prior to addition of raw poultry manure
13. NPK analysis of Current Compost Batches prior to addition of raw poultry manure
15. BLESSINGS BLENDS
Premium Compost Plus +
Improves the soil structure,
porosity, and density, thus creating a
better plant root environment
Improves water holding capacity,
thus reducing water loss and
leaching in sandy soils
Supplies a variety of macro and
micronutrients
May control or suppress certain
soil-borne plant pathogens
Supplies significant quantities of
organic matter
Improves cation exchange (CEC) of
soils and growing media, thus
improving their ability to hold
nutrients for plant use
Supplies beneficial
microorganisms to soils and growing
media
Improves and stabilizes pH
16. NPK analysis of premium compost plus + after processing
with
Chicken Manure:
(2.6 - 2.51 - 2.19)
With the added value of raw poultry manure,
the analysis of the finished compost is increased
to provide a more agronomic product.
17. CURRENT VALUE
compared to
COMMERICAL FERTILIZER
Stabilized N-P-K of BLESSINGS BLENDS Compost
(2.6 - 2.51 - 2.19)
Current Commercial Fertilizer Pricing:
Ammonium Sulfate (21-0-0) = .97 cent per 1 lb. N
MAP (11-52-0) = .80 cents per 1 lb. P
Potash (0-0-62) = .67 cents per lb. K
Value of one ton of dry finished compost is: $119.94
In one ton there is: 52 lbs. N, 50.2 lbs. P, 43.8 lbs. K plus there is
Calcium and other Micro Nutrients that have not been valued.
These values are stable and release over time…
18. CHANGING THE FUTURE OF AGRICULTURE
www.blessingsblends.com
Copyrights reserved 2005-2011
BLESSINGS BLENDS logo and “Organics That Produce” are registered trademarks and property of Blessing Greenhouses & Compost Facility