Do compost systems have to be on cement?

Dear Manure Maiden,

I would like to build a compost system on my farm and am wondering if it is necessary to go to the expense of pouring a cement base?

This is a common question!

While it is not necessary to have a solid base in order to produce a good quality compost, I strongly recommend having an impermeable base under your compost as this is the only way that you can ensure that your manure is not releasing leachate into the environment. If you cannot afford to pour cement at this time, be sure to build your system so that you can add it at a later date. In the mean time, be sure that your pile is covered so that no rainwater can run through it and create leachate. A solid base is not only important because of environmental concerns, it also helps you to maintain your pile neatly without doing damage to the earth in and around your pile. Driving a tractor in and out of a system can cause considerable wear and tear on bare earth, especially in the winter.

The Manure Maiden