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The University of Wisconsin Oshkosh is now producing – and selling – organic compost.

Named Titan Gold, the compost is produced by UW Oshkosh’s dry fermentation anaerobic biodigester, which is fueled from local food, farm and yard waste and located near campus.

The byproduct, which was originally being used as only a renewable energy source, is now also being used to generate compost. Titan Gold is tested, bagged and sold by UW Oshkosh using U.S. Composting Council’s Seal of Testing Assurance (STA) standards to ensure the safest and highest quality compost for the community. UW Oshkosh has one of only 10 STA certified labs in the country.

“This achievement is due to the excellent work of the lab staff and our student research assistants,” said Greg Kleinheinz, Viessmann Chair of Sustainable Technology at UW Oshkosh.

On campus, Titan Gold will be sold at the Environmental Research and Innovation Center (ERIC) Lab, 783 Pearl Ave., Oshkosh. It will also be sold at the Oshkosh Farmers Market and, eventually, at local retailers as well.

Beyond making the compost available for the greater community, one free 30 pound bag of Titan Gold is being offered to each member of the campus community. Employees are welcome to pick up their bag from the ERIC Lab Aug. 27 between 1:30 and 4:30 p.m. (with a staff ID).

“Putting a bag of compost into the hands of UW Oshkosh faculty and staff members allows people on campus to see first-hand the byproduct coming from our biodigester,” said Arthur Rathjen, president of the UW Oshkosh Foundation, a partner in the biodigester projects on and off campus.

In 2011, the UW Oshkosh Foundation – along with partners BioFerm Energy Systems and the Viessmann Group – partnered to build the first commercial scale dry fermentation anaerobic biogas system in the Americas. The project began as part of the University’s commitment to sustainability. An additional goal was to create a learning and research lab site for students and faculty. Since, UW Oshkosh has also partnered in biodigester projects at Rosendale Dairy and Allen Farms.

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