Star City Compost

12/30/2025

Cardinal News wrote a nice news piece about Star City Compost and The Harvest Collective today. Short story, there is nothing easy about starting and operating a compost facility in the State of Virginia and some people are talking about changing that.

This small Roanoke composting facility has survived three years of business, when conversations about composting are just beginning in the city and the state.

12/16/2025

Greetings Friends - The Commonwealth is reviewing their solid waste management plan and after reviewing it, there are some serious gaps in how it can support composters in the state. I believe I am the only person to have started a permitted food waste composting facility within the last 3 years. The reason being there is way too much red tape and little support from the powers that be to see community composters begin operations.

With the editing support from Maureen McGonagle, I have made a series of recommendations to add to the plan. If you'd like t read those and sign onto endorse those changes, please click the link below and sign on:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf6FS0terqJpgzfnLmahNmCTGXudwJth7rPmzzsP5PHpg-uMw/viewform?usp=header

10/27/2025

This is how we pull out the aeration piping underneath our “aerated static compost piles.” Since we pump air underneath it requires less effort with our tractor - saving time, gas, and money. And look at all that fertile, dark wet compost coming out of the bunkers. This is after just 7 weeks in that system. No more food waste at all. It’s fun seeing it all come together.

10/08/2025

09/19/2025

A friend snapped these amazing drone photos of Star city compost. How fun! It’s rewarding to see your work and business mapped out like this. We’ve got batches of compost cooking and getting ready spring. Become a member today for discounts on compost purchases and to be a part of diverting your food waste!

09/15/2025

It was fun to have Ferrum College out today to learn about composting. Theres a lot to learn and we’re always available for educational tours. Bring your class out soon!

09/03/2025

A skunk just waltzed right into the barn today. Makes me wish we had a new logo. A Star with a winking skunk, kind of like looney tunes, in the middle. Honor the mascot.

07/21/2025

The summer has been full this year. I’ve fallen off of social media as the overwhelm of heat and composting took a hold of me. However, I am signing back on to share how to incredibly blessed we are to have the support of some folks in our community. Joe Mott just spent about 8 hours replacing our radiator in the bus for free. He saved us at least a thousand dollars with his help. Here’s to you, Joe. you are making our world that much better and putting wind in our sails.

05/16/2025

Join us at compost fest tomorrow!

05/15/2025

Join us for compost fest this weekend!

05/06/2025

Banging out some T-posts and getting our fence ready to expand our family berry garden at the compost facility. Come join us when we plant our berry garden the morning of compost fest 5/17. It will be followed up with a kids concert, plant walk, tour of the facility, lunch, and a concert in the afternoon.

It’s going to be awesome!!

05/05/2025

Yesterday, we hosted a tour at Star City Compost for Virginia Tech dietetics students. They all enjoyed hearing our story, knowledge on composting policy in America, and practical information about how to compost properly. We’ll be hosting another tour for free at compost fest on May 17.