Big Timber workshop teaches composting to boost soil health

BIG TIMBER, Mont. — With spring on the rise comes more farming and gardening. Luckily, food scraps don't have to go to waste — they can help build healthier soil right here in Montana.

A composting workshop in Big Timber is giving people a chance to turn food waste into something useful. The event is hosted by Montana Farmers Union and Living Soil Farm and comes as more producers look for lower-cost, natural options.

Organizers say interest is growing across the state.

"We're seeing an increased desire from producers to make the best use of what they have and what's available locally," said Montana Caise, Montana Farmers Union Ambassador. "And then with just some sky-high fertilizer prices and everything right now, just seeing more and more interest in the natural methods."

Composting may sound simple, but there's a lot happening beneath the surface. This workshop is designed to help break that down in a hands-on way.

Attendees will learn how compost works — from different methods to building a pile — and how it supports long-term soil health.

"Basically there's a lot of microbial action going on, just tiny little microbes, microorganisms in the soil that are actually doing a lot of the work to help plants uptake nutrients and grow healthily and helping the soil to actually cycle correctly, whether that's water and minerals," Caise said. "Really, they play a huge role in soil health is what it comes down to."

The free workshop runs Wednesday, April 2 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Living Soil Farm along Highway 191 North near Big Timber. Registration is required online.