Each month, we will highlight community heroes that are making a difference in their communities and working to make their local environments cleaner and healthier.
This month, we are taking a look at Big River Organics in WI!
Big River Organics is a composting service based in Cassville, WI. Biobag Associate spoke to Sue Krause with Big River Organics about the organization. Their interview is transcribed below.
What led you to start your composting operation?
As a little kid, I was always a little shadow with my grandparents in the garden. Composting was simply part of the magical growing process. One of my treasured Christmas presents as a young gardener was Rodale’s Guide to Composting.
Think of the many sacrifices invested in our food: crops planted, harvested, trucked, stocked and sold. Calves are born, fattened, slaughtered. A tremendous amount of energy is put into this food. Sadly, nearly half of this food investment is thrown away.
I compost to mine the vast energy remaining in this food. I harvest the untapped food potential to create new products. In this way, the food is respected and I can honor the work that has been put into it.
I pick up and compost food waste. Me with kids from Lancaster Wisconsin teaching about compost and worm farming. My dog Newt at the Cassville dog park. We use Biobag waste bags at the dog park. I compost the waste which we return to flower beds around the dog park. I use 13 gallon Biobags in my food waste collection buckets. They work beautifully!
Who do you serve and how can people get in touch with you if they want to start composting?
I live in a small town, less than 800 people. I’m on the village board, work with the food pantry garden and waitress at the Cassville Cafe. Folks know how to find me. Potential customers reach out to me on Facebook (Big River Organics) or stop me on the street. Kids cheer when I drive by in my old topless Jeep: Go Worms!
How much organic material do you typically take in on a weekly basis?
I estimate that I compost approximately 1000 pounds a month of food waste. Some of my sources include the grocery store, the food pantry, Cafe, local tavern, campground and several residential customers.
Feel free to add any additional information about your operation as you see fit.
I also use it to make seed bombs which are compost morsels packed with wildflower seeds. Folks buy them from me and plant to spread beautiful flowers.
