The common ‘ink cap’ mushroom- Coprinopsis atramentaria- thrives in the first month of hot compost.

The Foundation
Compost lies at the heart, the foundation, of any food production effort, small or large, backyard or farm.  It is essential to heal and restore soil that has been depleted by overuse, routine production, or common agricultural practices.  It is key in building microbial activity and humus structure in the soil to provide healthy, nutrient-dense food.   

The Challenge
There are as many types of composts as there are qualities of those composts. 
A poorly digested compost has high carbon levels (brown/dry matter) that can be beneficial if  the soil is mineralized.  However, consistent use can build too much carbon in the soil, whereby nitrogen becomes depleted due to its use by micro-organisms to digest the high-carbon based organic material in the compost. 

Spectrums of decomposition methods range on one end from slow, colder compost methods (static) to vermiculture (worm based compost) to heavily turned and mechanically pulverized compost on the other end.   

Composts from either end of the spectrum can have high carbon content that tax microbial life and lowers nitrogen and other nutrients available to plants.  It is especially problematic when these composts are applied to soils that have lost their microbial function due to years of chemical and synthetic inputs and are no longer able to properly digest and incorporate undigested-high carbon based composts or raw manures into the soil.

The Answer
Controlled Heat Compost lies in the middle of the decomposition spectrum.  This method of composting creates an environment where heat loving thermophile bacteria and fungi live, thrive and digest rapidly when conditions are right. There are no visible-macro decomposing organisms or earthworms involved in this method. The resulting humus-structured compost plays a vital role, not only in building soil fertility, but in creating a resilient humus layer that responds to growing climate shifts through moisture retention and gradual nutrient release. Controlled heat compost enhances and exponentiates microbial activity which is the foundation for proper nutrient transfer to plants and nitrogen fixation.  The finished compost provides soluble and stable nutrients that release over time.  Due to its heat capacity during processing--up to 158 degrees--, this method is effectively kills pathogens, weed seeds, and can reduce and/or isolate chemicals and GMO's.  Controlled heat composting dates back to the 12th century in Europe and was brought to the United States in the 1930's by Ehrenfried Pfeiffer who developed some of the first municipal compost systems in the U.S.  Roland Urlich, (mentor) presents an in-depth guide to this method, in his Book: "Creating Humus on the Farm- The Controlled Heat Method of Composting"- now available for purchase on this site.

​Biodynamic Compost Preparations
Controlled heat compost systems achieve fast, humus-structured finished compost in 3 - 5 months depending on ambient temperatures, process success, and in part by using Biodynamic Compost Preparations.  Six different herbs and plants, processed using biodynamic principles, are used to inoculate the compost windrows at two intervals. Preparations bear relationships to specific elements and planetary forces, thereby increasing nutrient potency, heat, and acceleration in decomposition rates.  

Final Touches
Compost rows are covered with Fleece Compost Tarps to further increase heat, support aeration, provide a dark environment for early stage fungi decomposers, retain and reflect moisture, reduce carbon loss, odor and flies.  These tarps originate in Austria and are incredibly hardy, lasting up to 10+ years. New tarps up to 50 feet x 13.12 feet or customized can also be purchased.  Used tarps up to 5 years old are sold when available.

GROUNDED LLC creates Angie's Gold Living Compost using the controlled heat compost method.

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​Benefits of
​Controlled Heat Compost 

• Increased microbial life
• Increased soil fertility
• Superior food production
• Humus layer resilient to erratic climate shifts
• Stronger moisture retention
• Insoluble, stable nutrients
• Gradual release of nutrients

Book: Creating Humus on the Farm- The Controlled Heat Method of Composting

$16.95

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Stone Cross near the Bodensee, Germany.

Mentor, colleague, and dear friend, Christopher Mann, adds crucial water element to hot summer compost row in East Troy, WI in 2015. Rest in Peace Christopher!

With Christopher Mann, Tybel Miller & mentor Roland Ulrich, Germany 2012.

Biodynamic Researcher and Mentor Bruno Follador (and Cove), monitors compost temperatures. Fleece compost tarps help enhance temperature and moisture.