Resources
community connections
Below are some partners who are key to our foundation and daily operations. Farmer Pirates Compost really is built of and for Buffalo - we couldn’t do what we do without these friends. Whether in Buffalo or online, we hope you’ll check them out sometime soon!
BFLO Worm Works, run by “Benevolent Worm King” Myles Stubblefield, is a local vermicomposter and long time friend of Farmer Pirates Compost. Check them out to order some Super Soil or get set up with a vermicomposting system of your own.
Cooperation Buffalo played an instrumental role in helping the Farmer Pirates transition to a worker-owned co-op. They continue to provide support to ours and many other Buffalo based worker co-ops. Connect with them to learn more about the cooperative model and to support other co-ops in the area.
Little Salmon was the first zero waste store in Buffalo and the host of Farmer Pirates’ very first Neighborhood Drop Off site! They have everything from toothpaste and laundry detergent to loofahs and food storage containers.
5 Loaves Farm is a Buffalo Urban Farm that has been a loyal customer for many years. We are proud to support their work to expand fresh food access across Buffalo, from the ground up!
StopSuite is a comprehensive management software that was founded in Rochester by and for community composters! The StopSuite platform helps us to manage logistics, routes, customer service, and more.
The Community Composters Coalition, a group based in the Institute for Local Self-Reliance, connects us with composters across the country. This community is a critical resource for us, as they help us keep up with policy, provide advice, and motivate us to keep going!
BioBag is our source for the majority of our compostable bin and tote liners. So if you compost with us, you also compost with BioBag! They are a B-Corp that aims to make composting more accessible through its products.
JMS Properties is the property owner and landlord of our compost site on the East Side! We are grateful for their partnership and proud to be operating in the Broadway-Fillmore neighborhood.
Meet our commercial composting partners
Let’s dig in: All about compost
Compost isn’t soil, and it certainly isn’t “just dirt!” Rather, compost is an all-natural fertilizer that adds vital organic matter to the soil. There is a lot of science going on behind the scenes (or under the microscope!) in the process of transforming your food scraps into this amazing product. We’ve compiled some resources so you can learn more about not only finished compost, but also how to use it and even how to make it yourself.
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We know dealing with food scraps isn’t always the most appetizing task! Luckily, we have some tips and tricks to help you avoid some of the nastier side effects.
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For those wondering how to use their finished compost, there are options aplenty! From side dressings to compost teas, this handout from the University of California covers them all.
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Look for these answers on our page called “Why Should I Compost?” If you want a more in-depth answer, you can also try Chapter 2 of The Rodale Book of Composting.
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For those looking to really take the plunge, The Rodale Book of Composting is one of our personal favorite guides. It covers everything from methods to history to biology and chemistry.
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For those wanting to start composting at home, we recommend trying the lasagna method. We like these two resources, from Cornell Extension and the Rodale Institute.
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For those curious about vermicomposting, check out the user friendly book called Worms Eat My Garbage. Or hit up our friends over at Buffalo Worm Works!
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For out-of-towners or those relocating, you can take a look at composting operations across the country on this map from the Institute for Local Self Reliance.