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Public Welcome at Organic Recycling Facility (ORF) Open House

Prior Lake, MN – The public is invited to attend an open house at the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community’s Organics Recycling Facility on October 13, 2012, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The SMSC Organics Recycling Facility, located on trust land off County Road 83, opened to the public in the fall of 2011.

At the site, organic materials are mixed together to create compost. Organic materials include yard and food waste, woody debris, and biodegradeable paper products such as cardboard which are transported to the ORF. Using best management practices and following both state and federal guidelines, staff foster an environment where microbes break down the materials naturally. After several weeks these materials have been transformed into usable compost, decomposed organic matter rich in nutrients which can be used as a soil amendment.

Though the site opened in the fall of 2011, landscaping is still underway. The site will eventually be transformed into a landscaping demonstration area to include hundreds of additional seedlings, storm water ponds, and green space. A demonstration area will show the difference between crops grown with and without compost as a soil amendment. Compost is available for retail sale at the site. At this innovative site, during the summer of 2012 a total of 144 solar panels were added to the roof to generate electricity for use at the site and to sell on the grid.

The address for the Organics Recycling Facility is 1905 Canterbury Road, Shakopee, Minnesota 55379. The ORF is open 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information about the Open House, the Scale House can be reached at 952-403-7030.

Saturday, October 13, 2012 Organics Recycling Facility Open House Schedule

11:00 a.m. Organics Recycling Facility open to the public. Presentations and information available for viewing in the Shop until 3:00 pm. Complimentary beverages and snacks.

11:05 a.m. Organics Recycling Facility from A to Z. Bus Tour of the entire facility beginning with the scale and ending with final products. Approximately 30 minutes.

11:40 a.m. Demonstration: Bus Tour to view the windrow turner. Approximately 10 minutes.

12:00 p.m. Demonstration: Bus Tour to view screening of material to produce a finished compost product. Approximately 10 minutes.

12:30 p.m. Demonstration: Bus Tour to view screening of material to produce a finished compost product. See description. Approximately 10 minutes.

1:10 p.m. Demonstration: Bus tour to view grinding of material. Approximately 10 minutes.

1:40 p.m. Demonstration: Bus tour to view grinding of material. Approximately 10 minutes.

2:15 p.m. Demonstration: Bus Tour to view the windrow turner in operation. Approximately 10 minutes

2:30 p.m. Organics Recycling Facility from A to Z. Bus Tour of the entire facility beginning with the scale and ending with our products. Approximately 30 minutes

3:00 p.m. Open House Ends

Descriptions of Demonstrations

Windrow Turner: View the windrow turner operating in a composting windrow; turning mixes and aerates material for optimal composting conditions.

Screening Material: ORF staff screen compost after approximately 12 weeks. Screening separates material into four parts: (1) fine material that is suitable for sale as finished compost; (2) medium materials that is mixed with incoming loads to be re-composted; (3) coarse materials that are hand-sorted to remove non-compostables such as trash and rocks and then re-composted; and, (4) light trash such as plastic that is sucked from the material.

Grinding: Grinding is used to reduce particle size, mix material, and to create a flat spot in round fruit and vegetables. Round pieces of fruit and vegetables roll off our piles where they could create odors and attract insects.

 

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