About

The Program

The Manure Link program is a component of the LEPS Horse Manure Composting program. The Horse Manure Composting program provides education and assistance to horse owners in order to address manure management issues that have become a major environmental concern for horse farms of all sizes.

The Manure Link program was designed to benefit both local gardeners and local farmers. The program connects gardeners with a source of manure compost and provides local farmers with an outlet for their excess composted manure. By making this connection, both gardeners and farmers are working together to improve the health of our local communities and environment.

Making the Connection

The Horse Manure Composting program is also helping to bridge the gap between rural and urban living. As urban development encroaches on agricultural land it is critical that both communities are able to coexist. LEPS helps farmers to be good neighbours by managing their manure appropriately and by helping urban neighbours appreciate the value of farms in their communities. The Manure Link program is an excellent example of this cooperation by providing a valuable soil amendment that can be used for all of the landscaping demands of an urban neighbourhood.

Benefits of Composted Manure

Composted manure is an excellent natural soil enhancer. Composted manure not only provides your plants and lawn with a more accessible natural source of nitrogen and organic matter. Nitrogen is stored in the soil and is available to the plants on an on-demand basis.

• Other benefits to using composted manure as a soil amendment include:
• Improved soil structure
• Improved drainage
• Improved soil moisture retention during hot, dry months
• Increased earth worm populations
• Increased soil aeration
• Reduced soil compaction
• Increased macro and micro nutrient availability

How the Program Works for Gardeners

1.    Determine your needs
•    Consider what kind of compost you want and how much you need.

2.    Pick a source
•    Consult the manure link list and choose a location close to you that meets your needs.

3.    Schedule pick-up/drop-off
•    Call the farm you chose and arrange a time.

4.    Use your compost
•    Add the best soil enhancer there is to your garden and watch your garden grow.

How the Program Works for Farmers

1.    Collect your animals’ manure
•    No problem there!  Compost manure appropriately with the right C:N ratio.

2.    Add your farm to the list
•    Add your farm to the manure link list and provide information on your compost such as age, type, and amount.

3.    Schedule pick-up
•    Arrange for gardeners to pick up at a time that suits you.

4.   Reduce your pile
•    By giving compost to gardeners you will reduce the amount of manure sitting on your property.

Langley Environmental Partners Society

Langley Environmental Partners Society (LEPS) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to “Protect and restore Langley’s natural environment through education, cooperation and action.” LEPS Agricultural Stewardship Program partners with local landowners on initiatives such as building manure composting systems, livestock exclusion fencing, streamside planting and providing technical assistance in the management of composting systems and pasture management.