The Composting Handbook

Dr. Rynk has been researching and teaching about processing of waste and agricultural materials for over 30 years. His areas of expertise include waste management, biomass processing and conversion, natural treatment processes, odor management, spontaneous combustion and energy conversion and conservation. He is internationally recognized for his work and expertise in the field of composting. He has authored numerous publications about processing of organic materials, composting, waste management and energy. He holds a Professional Engineering license in Agricultural Engineering. He is a regular instructor for composting training schools and workshops, nationally and internationally. He is co-instructor and co-developer for the “Foundations of Composting” workshop, held annually at the U.S. Composting Council conference. Bob was the editor and lead author for the original On-Farm Composting Handbook and editor and lead author for its pending “sequel” The Composting Handbook.

Mr. Franciosi has spent over 29 years working with residuals management and composting both in operations management as well as sales and marketing. In 1993, he started North Carolina’s first source separated organics composting facility. As past principal of Akkadia Consulting, Frank provided professional consulting services on projects of animal waste management, biosolids management, coal ash residuals, composting of industrial residuals, product development and marketing. He has facilitated the turnkey start-up of award winning composting facilities, taking them from concept to feasibility to operational, overseeing permitting, equipment selection, hiring and training of personnel, as well as the development and execution of the product marketing plan. Frank also managed the Novozymes’ Nature’s GREEN-RELEAF™ composting facility from 2003-2015. In 2014, Frank was the recipient of the Hi Kellogg Award for displaying outstanding service to the US composting industry over a period of many years. He has a BS in Plant and Soil Sciences from West Virginia University. Co Authored: “Production and Marketing of Potting and Landscape Soils Containing Coal Combustion By-Product” “EVALUATION OF A COMPOST BASED POTTING MIX FOR COMMERCIAL NURSERIES”

Dr. David C. Weindorf is Vice President for Research and Innovation at Central Michigan University. A Fulbright Scholar, Dr. Weindorf is 20+ year member the Soil Science Society of America where he has been recognized as both Fellow and Presidential Award winner. He is a licensed Texas Professional Geoscientist and Executive Producer of the acclaimed documentary film “Between Earth and Sky – Climate Change on the Last Frontier.” Dr. Weindorf has developed a litany of new applications for proximal sensors, particularly portable X-ray fluorescence (PXRF) spectrometry, and visible near infrared diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (VisNIR DRS) for soil survey and environmental quality assessment. He has active, ongoing research on four continents and has published >160 peer reviewed research papers on topics ranging from classical pedology and compost science to optimized land use management.

Ginny Black has served on the Compost Councils Research and Education Foundation Board of Trustees since 1995, chairing the organization since 2014. She also served on the US Composting Council's Board of Directors from 1995 to 2010. She currently chairs the Minnesota Composting Council (MNCC), a non-profit organization founded in 2012. The MNCC is a State Chapter of the US Composting Council, working with composters, businesses, and the public sector to divert organic materials to compost facilities. Ginny served as a technical staff person for recycling and composting with the Minnesota pollution Control Agency (MPCA) from 1987 to 2013, setting up recycling and composting programs throughout the state of MN. Her last 12-years at the MPCA focused exclusively on promoting reduction and composting of organic materials. She also served on the City of Plymouth's city council from 1995 to 2013 and was the Councils Representative to the City's Environmental Quality Commission.