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Origins of Modern Composting
Nature's Way, Plus a Helping Hand
Left to itself, composting is a process as old as time itself. In a nutshell, it’s nature’s way of
returning to the earth what has come from the earth; a process whereby organic matter is broken
down into its elements and reintroduced to the cycle of life as an energy-giving source. Nothing in
nature is really wasted; dead leaves, rotting fruits, twigs and branches that litter the forest floor
provide cover for the soil. As they decompose, they turn into carbon and nitrogen-rich compost
that provide nourishment for existing and new plant life.
Observing nature, it didn’t take long for farmers to figure this out and deliberately add
decomposed vegetation and manure to their plots. Farmers in the Akkadian Empire in 2300 BC
did this, so did the ancient Roman, Greek and Chinese civilisations. In China, farmers laid their
crop wastes on roads to be crushed by passing carts into broken down muck. These were then
collected, mixed with human and animal manure and reapplied to farm soil. In New England in
the 19th century, adventurous composting methods included layering marsh mud and fish. Not
very nice smelling but definitely innovative and effective!
While ancient farmers were convinced of the efficacy of composting, it wasn’t until the early part of
the 20th century that composting achieved recognition as a science. While there have been many
that have contributed to the understanding and development of this science, one deserves
special mention : the acknowledged founder of modern organic farming.
Origins of Modern Organic Farming
Sir Albert Howard (1873 – 1947) was an agricultural botanist by profession. He was employed by
the colonial British government in India as an agricultural advisor. During his 25 years there, he
observed and studied traditional farming methods. He was fascinated by the careful economy of
the farm and respect shown towards the ecology of the land.
Howard became convinced that organic farming was the only way to agricultural sustainability; a
cycle he had observed in nature. In his words: “Nature is the supreme farmer and gardener, and
the study of her ways will provide us with the one thing we need – sound and reliable direction.”
This sparked his interest in composting. Using a systematic and scientific approach, he went on
to document and develop what he perceived as sustainable organic farming methods.
In 1940, Oxford University Press published An Agricultural Testament, Howard’s first book on
organic farming specifically aimed at the general public. (Previously, in 1931, he had co-authored
a scientific publication titled The Waste Products Of Agriculture: Their Utilisation As Humus.) It
has since become the classic text book for understanding the essence of organic farming.
In it, Howard championed the importance of organic composting and its benefits over chemical
fertilisers. He explained that the health of the soil, crops and farm animals were related and
deduced that farming methods which took into account the inter-relationships of the three was
the key to sustainability. He reasoned that “the maintenance of the fertility of the soil is the first
condition of any permanent system of agriculture.”
Howard concluded that compost was the most effective way of returning nutrients to the soil as it
was a natural process within a plant’s life cycle. As he put it: “The wheel of life is made up of two
processes, growth and decay, and one is the counterpart of the other.”
While Director of the Institute of Plant Industry at Indore, he experimented with various methods of
decomposing agriculture waste. These experiments included changing the ratio of organic
‘ingredients’ (plant and manure) in the mix, layering to allow the decomposing organic matter to
‘breathe’, studying the appropriate density of these composting heaps and optimum time for this
mixture to mature and become nutrient-rich compost or humus. His results gave birth to the
Indore Method which is still practised today.
His results proved that if the soil was healthy and suitable to the type of plant found growing on it,
the plant and animals living on that soil would flourish. If the soil was unsuitable, the plants and
animals would suffer from poor nutrition and pests. By using compost to ‘correct’ the soil, crops
and livestock eventually became healthier and pest-resilient.
A forward-looking man, Howard further passed on his knowledge of composting through notable
works such as Farming And Gardening For Health Or Disease (1945) and Soil And Health: A
Study Of Organic Agriculture (1947). He also propagated his ideas through the Soil Association.
Set up in 1946, this organisation comprised of farmers, scientists and nutritionists who
acknowledged the relationship between farming practices, plant, animal and environmental
health. Their work has inspired the establishment of and collaboration with eminent institutions
such as the Rodale Institute in the US. These organisations continue today, and have become
authorities in the setting of standards and practices in organic farming.
Nature's Way, Plus a Helping Hand
Left to itself, composting is a process as old as time itself. In a nutshell, it’s nature’s way of
returning to the earth what has come from the earth; a process whereby organic matter is broken
down into its elements and reintroduced to the cycle of life as an energy-giving source. Nothing in
nature is really wasted; dead leaves, rotting fruits, twigs and branches that litter the forest floor
provide cover for the soil. As they decompose, they turn into carbon and nitrogen-rich compost
that provide nourishment for existing and new plant life.
Observing nature, it didn’t take long for farmers to figure this out and deliberately add
decomposed vegetation and manure to their plots. Farmers in the Akkadian Empire in 2300 BC
did this, so did the ancient Roman, Greek and Chinese civilisations. In China, farmers laid their
crop wastes on roads to be crushed by passing carts into broken down muck. These were then
collected, mixed with human and animal manure and reapplied to farm soil. In New England in
the 19th century, adventurous composting methods included layering marsh mud and fish. Not
very nice smelling but definitely innovative and effective!
While ancient farmers were convinced of the efficacy of composting, it wasn’t until the early part of
the 20th century that composting achieved recognition as a science. While there have been many
that have contributed to the understanding and development of this science, one deserves
special mention : the acknowledged founder of modern organic farming.
Origins of Modern Organic Farming
Sir Albert Howard (1873 – 1947) was an agricultural botanist by profession. He was employed by
the colonial British government in India as an agricultural advisor. During his 25 years there, he
observed and studied traditional farming methods. He was fascinated by the careful economy of
the farm and respect shown towards the ecology of the land.
Howard became convinced that organic farming was the only way to agricultural sustainability; a
cycle he had observed in nature. In his words: “Nature is the supreme farmer and gardener, and
the study of her ways will provide us with the one thing we need – sound and reliable direction.”
This sparked his interest in composting. Using a systematic and scientific approach, he went on
to document and develop what he perceived as sustainable organic farming methods.
In 1940, Oxford University Press published An Agricultural Testament, Howard’s first book on
organic farming specifically aimed at the general public. (Previously, in 1931, he had co-authored
a scientific publication titled The Waste Products Of Agriculture: Their Utilisation As Humus.) It
has since become the classic text book for understanding the essence of organic farming.
In it, Howard championed the importance of organic composting and its benefits over chemical
fertilisers. He explained that the health of the soil, crops and farm animals were related and
deduced that farming methods which took into account the inter-relationships of the three was
the key to sustainability. He reasoned that “the maintenance of the fertility of the soil is the first
condition of any permanent system of agriculture.”
Howard concluded that compost was the most effective way of returning nutrients to the soil as it
was a natural process within a plant’s life cycle. As he put it: “The wheel of life is made up of two
processes, growth and decay, and one is the counterpart of the other.”
While Director of the Institute of Plant Industry at Indore, he experimented with various methods of
decomposing agriculture waste. These experiments included changing the ratio of organic
‘ingredients’ (plant and manure) in the mix, layering to allow the decomposing organic matter to
‘breathe’, studying the appropriate density of these composting heaps and optimum time for this
mixture to mature and become nutrient-rich compost or humus. His results gave birth to the
Indore Method which is still practised today.
His results proved that if the soil was healthy and suitable to the type of plant found growing on it,
the plant and animals living on that soil would flourish. If the soil was unsuitable, the plants and
animals would suffer from poor nutrition and pests. By using compost to ‘correct’ the soil, crops
and livestock eventually became healthier and pest-resilient.
A forward-looking man, Howard further passed on his knowledge of composting through notable
works such as Farming And Gardening For Health Or Disease (1945) and Soil And Health: A
Study Of Organic Agriculture (1947). He also propagated his ideas through the Soil Association.
Set up in 1946, this organisation comprised of farmers, scientists and nutritionists who
acknowledged the relationship between farming practices, plant, animal and environmental
health. Their work has inspired the establishment of and collaboration with eminent institutions
such as the Rodale Institute in the US. These organisations continue today, and have become
authorities in the setting of standards and practices in organic farming.
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ARTICLES
Part 1: Waste Not, Want Not
The origin of early waste
management practices
Part 2: Fighting A Losing Battle?
Increasing consumption leads to a
growing waste management problem
Recycling Organic Waste
Commercialisation of recycling
efforts as part of waste management
efforts (US & UK experience)
Recycling Organic Waste
The Malaysian experience
Origins Of Modern Organic Farming
Discovery of the benefits of
composting
Back to Nature: Economic And
Environmental Concerns
Why the renaissance and interest in
composting?
Coming Soon
In Brief: The Composting Process
Composting Controls
Composting Systems
Part 1: Waste Not, Want Not
The origin of early waste
management practices
Part 2: Fighting A Losing Battle?
Increasing consumption leads to a
growing waste management problem
Recycling Organic Waste
Commercialisation of recycling
efforts as part of waste management
efforts (US & UK experience)
Recycling Organic Waste
The Malaysian experience
Origins Of Modern Organic Farming
Discovery of the benefits of
composting
Back to Nature: Economic And
Environmental Concerns
Why the renaissance and interest in
composting?
Coming Soon
In Brief: The Composting Process
Composting Controls
Composting Systems