Blu Sky Farm, an equine property in Ocala, Florida recently commissioned a new Earth Flow鈩� on-site composting system that will process 100% of the farm鈥檚 manure and stable residuals, eliminating the environmental and economic costs of hauling manure offsite for disposal.
Blu Sky Farm was dissatisfied with the prior practice of hiring a waste removal company to collect and landfill dumpsters full of manure, as it was both financially burdensome and environmentally harmful.
The Earth Flow composting system from Green Mountain Technologies is an automated enclosed system that minimizes odors and rapidly transforms the horse manure and bedding into valuable compost that will be used on the farm and sold to the local horticultural industry. Annual processing capacity for the Earth Flow system is planned at more than 900 tons per year.
Ocala, renowned as the “Horse Capital of the World,” boasts a rich equestrian heritage and is home to the prestigious World Equestrian Center. Blu Sky Farm is situated within the vibrant Ocala Horse Complex, surrounded by an extensive equestrian community where neighbors maintain horse stables and fertile farmland.
The region is characterized by its sandy loam soil, which is ideal for horse grazing and the cultivation of high-quality forage, supporting various equine activities such as racing, jumping, and showing. This unique environment not only enhances the appeal of Blu Sky Farm but also fosters a collaborative community invested in equestrian excellence and sustainable practices.
The Site Built Earth Flow 4012 composting system consists of a fully enclosed bunker with an aeration system built into the floor and a mechanical auger that continuously mixes the composting material. These features and the automatic Control System ensure that oxygen is at the optimum level in the material, which reduces odors and speeds up the primary composting process to just two weeks.
Talbott’s goal is to market a high-quality, all-organic product. To validate the quality of the final compost, he plans to conduct tests in collaboration with local extension agencies.
鈥淪teve Talbott and his team at Blue Sky Farm have been a pleasure to work with,鈥� said Betsy LaForce, Business Development Manager from Green Mountain Technologies. 鈥淗is enthusiasm for environmental stewardship and community engagement are qualities that everyone should aspire to emulate.鈥�