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Joe Monninger reads an excerpt from his most recent novel Margaret from Maine

The use of biosolids fertilizer is usually discussed in agricultural journals and scientific papers, rarely, if ever, is the the term biosolids used in a novel … until now. Set on a farm in rural Maine, Margaret from Maine by local author Joe Monninger depicts day-to-day life on a New England dairy including the maintenance of the property’s soil health. Like many real-life farmers, the Kennedy family depicted in Monninger’s novel is considering biosolids as an economically feasible alternative to commercial fertilizer. As the Kennedys learn from their state extension agent, biosolids are high in organic matter and micro-nutrients essential for hardy plant growth.

Watch our video Biosolids, A First In A Love Story? to learn more about Joe Monninger, how he realistically portrays the story’s agricultural setting and why he chose to mention biosolids in his latest novel!

RMI is New Hampshire’s only Tier 3 Gold Level organization recognized by the National Biosolids Partnership’s Environmental Management System program. By participating in this program, RMI has commited to the NBP’s Code of Good Practice pledging to uphold principles of conduct including Quality Practices as well as Sustainable Management Practices and Operations.

As part of RMI’s 2013 EMS Management and Quality goals and objectives, we decided to purchase a new Trinity trailer with an on-board scale. Having an on-board scale will improve RMI’s efficiency, reducing the amount of time and fuel spent driving to a scale house for weighing. The new trailer will provide us with on-site, real-time data and will help reduce our carbon footprint!

 

Over 80 participants attended the Vermont Biosolids Forum in 2013 held by the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation in Waterbury, Vermont today. Among the attendees was Lorenzo Whitcomb, photo left, a Vermont dairy farmer. Lorenzo imparted his experience using biosolids as an alternative fertilizer sharing a letter he had written to his neighbors when he first began applying biosolids to his fields. The letter read as follows,

To: Our Essex Neighbors
From: Whitcomb Family Farm
Date: August 20, 2009
Re: Use of Local Biosolids as Fertilizer

We are writing to share some information about our dairy farm and the proposed use of biosolds as fertilizer to grow livestock feed.

About six years ago we approached Jim Jutras of the Essex Junction Waste Water Treatment Plant about using Essex biosolids as fertilizer on our farm. At the time, the biosolids were being trucked to Canada.

We currently farm in two locations, Essex Junction and North Williston. Our milking herd is in Williston and our young stock in Essex. The cows at our Essex Farm don’t make enough manure to fertilize all the crops. We are currently relying on commercial fertilizer to supply our additional needs. The idea of using a safe locally produced fertilizer is very appealing both economically and as a community service. Keeping any farm sustainable involves keeping the soil nutrients at optimum levels and not depleting the nutrient levels of the soil. We have the experience and equipment to handle the biosolids in a timely and environmentally safe way.

Whitcomb Farm has previously used biosolids with very good results. The biosolids would be used for cow crops only. The biosolids and groundwater will be tested by the Village of Essex Junction and the soil testing will be done by Whitcomb Farm’s private crop consultant.

Since Whitcomb Farm will be applying the biosolids, we will adhere to all setbacks and site criteria. Biosolids would be tilled into the soil after application.

Biosolids will come exclusively from the Essex Junction Waste Water Treatment Plant. In no way should treated biosolids be mistaken as raw sewage.

Lorenzo Whitcomb

Also included at the forum were presentations on the recycling of biosolids and the land application of biosolids. Learn more about RMI’s biosolids soil amendments here.

The Pemi Baker Soccer Club is enjoying their first season on a home field built by Resource Managment, Inc. (RMI). What once was a Christmas tree stand and pumpkin patch has been transformed into a FIFA regulation-sized field for the Pemi Baker Soccer Club, located just two miles north of the Holderness School on Route 175.

RMI donated the resources to build the Pemi field for the soccer club using Heart & Soil^® NutraSoil, an engineered topsoil designed for rugged use on athletic fields, for this project. RMI is committed to its community, creating a home field for the local soccer team was a great way to give back.

The Pemi Baker Soccer Club is a non-profit promoting players in grades 2-6 from Ashland, Plymouth, Holderness, Campton, Thornton, Rumney, Wentworth, Warren, and Waterville Valley, and also sponsors travel teams.  This fall there are three travel teams and all are looking like they will make it to the finals.

Read the feature article on the Pemi Baker Soccer Field from the Plymouth Record Enterprise here.

RMI is proud to announce the recent launch of our new website! We encourage you to explore the site by visiting www.rmirecycles.com.

Our new website is customized to be a user-friendly resource providing more comprehensive information on our products, services and company.

Website features include:

• NEW Clean Design!
• NEW Easy Navigation!
• NEW Product Downloads!
• NEW Social Integration!
• NEW Projects Gallery Page!

Our website is regularly monitored,  upgraded and updated with news and events. We look forward to your feedback.

RMI’s website is mobile ready! Information is at your fingertips 24/7 using your smart phone!