School's Successful Manure Composting Project Generates Black Gold.
No leprechauns and pots of gold needed. This year, St. Patrick’s Day at San Domenico brought “black gold” to campus in the form of finished compost generated from the horse manure at the School’s Riding Stables. Back in August a compost committee, including parent volunteers and San Domenico staff, piloted the first large-scale horse manure composting system on a hill above the School’s one-acre organic garden. The St. Patrick’s Day “loot” was the first finished pile, measuring about 20 cubic yards of vital nutrients.
Onsite composting of the School’s horse manure is a responsible environmental business practice, minimizing waste while at the same time eliminating the fossil fuels needed to truck compost to the school. The economic savings is more than $750 in retail compost costs plus a savings for manure disposal fees.
With the Garden of Hope, 412 kilowatt solar installation, and sustainability program integrated across the curriculum, San Domenico is a leader of green practices all year long.
