Stanford eyes $20,000 grant for municipal compost program

STANFORD — Landfills and incinerators in the United States process enough organic material annually to fill a line of fully-loaded 18-wheelers stretching from New York City to Los Angeles, 10 times, according to a report by the U.S. PIRG Education Fund.

In response, the number of communities with composting programs nationwide has increased 65% in the last five years, and the town of Stanford is considering joining that movement.

The Stanfordville Climate Smart Communities (CSC) board is seeking feedback from residents via an online survey on their level of interest in participating in a composting program in their community if one were to be established.

Wendy Burton, Town of Stanford Supervisor, said there is a grant opportunity from Dutchess County for up to $20,000 to fund a composting project for the initial start-up costs for a food waste drop-off program.

Burton noted that the town Transfer Station is under consideration as the site for a municipal composting project.

“The survey is to test the waters on community interest, and we are also going to speak to our local restaurants and Big Rock,” as well as the local school district, to see if they would be interested in participating, the town supervisor said.

The brief survey asks residents to estimate how much compostable waste they think their household produces weekly, whether they would be interested in education about home composting, community composting, with potential drop off options around town, or a composting pick-up service, age range and number of people in the household.

The Dutchess County Division of Solid Waste Management recently launched the expanded grant program for municipalities and schools aimed at reducing food and organic waste through composting and at the same time provide convenient composting opportunities to residents.

Composting is a process where organic materials, like kitchen scraps and yard waste, are broken down naturally by microorganisms. These tiny creatures use oxygen, water and the carbon and nitrogen in the materials to create a nutrient-rich soil called compost, which is akin to turning trash into treasure for gardens.

The survey is currently being circulated via the Town of Stanford mailing list. For more information, email wburton@townofstanford.org.

Latest News

Celebrating agriculture
Photo by Nathan Miller

PINE PLAINS — The Pine Plains FFA Ag Fair brought a crowd to the high school on Church Street Saturday, Oct. 11.

Kicking off the day was the annual tractor pull, attracting a dedicated crowd that sat in bleachers and folding chairs for hours watching Allison-Chalmers, International Harvesters and John Deeres compete to pull the heaviest weights.

Keep ReadingShow less
Rev. AJ Stack of St. Thomas announces resignation

The Rev. AJ Stack, center right, blessing a chicken at the pet blessing event at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Amenia on Saturday, Oct. 4.

Photo by Aly Morrissey

AMENIA — After serving more than five years as Priest-in-Charge of St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Amenia, the Rev. AJ Stack announced Tuesday, Oct. 7, that he will resign from the church and Food of Life/Comida de Vida pantry. His last day at his current post will be Sunday, Nov. 2, the conclusion of the Feast of All Saints.

The news was shared in two emails from Stack — one to Food of Life pantry subscribers and volunteers, and another to parish members.

Keep ReadingShow less
Local and County candidates to hold forum Oct. 24

MILLERTON — Ten candidates for office in the Nov. 4 election will answer questions from Dutchess County voters at a candidate forum on Friday, Oct. 24, at the Annex at the NorthEast-Millerton Library located at 28 Century Blvd.

The forum, which is sponsored by the library, will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m.

Keep ReadingShow less
Koi harvest
Photo by Leila Hawken

The “Elusive Ki Shusui” koi were temporarily relocated into a tub before being returned to their home pond at Maxine Pietro’s annual koi harvest at Broccoli Hall Farm in Amenia on Friday, Oct. 10. Speaking of their yellowish beauty, Pietro is pictured pointing out that the fish are scaleless but for scales that grow along the “zipper” on each fish’s dorsal ridge. The koi in the photo are estimated to be 6 or 7 years old.