USCC urges USDA to keep biosolids compost in NRCS 336 soil carbon amendment practice

The US Composting Council is asking USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service not to cut biosolids compost out of the soil carbon amendment practice known as NRCS 336. A proposed docket would exclude compost made with biosolids and require a carbon to nitrogen ratio of at least 20 to 1. USCC argues those rules focus on feedstock and a single ratio instead of the quality and safety of the finished compost. Compost applied to working lands can act as a carbon sink, which is why the practice matters for climate and soil health. USCC wants NRCS to keep C:N ratio as a reported parameter, add compost-specific lab proficiency requirements, and use the AAPFCO definition of compost. The final rule will decide which compost products qualify for conservation programs and federal support.