BUCYRUS, OH (CRAWFORD COUNTY NOW)—Favorable autumn weather has helped area farmers make significant headway on the fall harvest, with more than 83% of soybeans and over 50% of corn harvested across Ohio, according to Mike Hall of the Crawford Soil and Water Conservation District.
Speaking on the “Community Spotlight” program with Randy Bigley, Hall noted that as fieldwork wraps up, the district is encouraging residents to focus on conservation at home by reducing landfill waste through backyard composting.
While the average Crawford County resident generates roughly 4 pounds of trash per day — below the state average of more than 5.3 pounds — food waste still accounts for about 22% of the total volume crossing the scales at the county-owned landfill.
Hall said residents can help extend the lifespan of the county landfill by diverting kitchen scraps like vegetable peelings into simple backyard compost bins. A basic 3-by-3-foot enclosure made from wooden pallets placed in a high, dry area with partial sun can turn yard waste and produce scraps into nutrient-rich soil within four to five months, functioning even through the winter months. Meat, dairy, grease and oils should be kept out of compost piles.
Residents seeking guidance on setting up a compost system or requesting a site visit can contact the Crawford Soil and Water Conservation District at 419-562-8280, visit crawfordswcd.org, or stop by the office at 3111 State Route 98 in Bucyrus.