My family is the proud owners of Fant Farm Organics, a small local Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) registered compost facility in Levy County. For our whole lives, we have been committed to serving our community. For the last two years, we have been providing high-quality compost for fresh gardens that feed numerous families. However, our ability to continue this service is under threat.

Levy County staff currently passed an ordinance banning commercial manure composting in our county. This ban would impacts not only us but also the entire community that relies on local state-regulated compost facilities.

Composting is an essential practice that reduces landfill waste and contributes to soil health, which benefits both the agriculture and home gardening sectors significantly. According to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), food scraps and yard waste together currently make up more than 30 percent of what we throw away, which could be composted instead.

Levy County had the second-highest record of horse sales in Florida in 2017. With such a thriving equine industry comes organic waste that needs proper disposal and management - something commercial compost facilities like ours provide effectively.

We believe it's essential for these facilities to remain open. They play a crucial role in managing organic waste sustainably while contributing positively towards local agriculture and gardening practices.

We believe that every resident should have their voice heard on this issue that directly impacts our environment and economy. Let's remind the commissioners that we value sustainable practices like composting and do not want them banned from our community.

We urge you all to join us against this proposed ban on commercial composting. Let's protect our right to sustainable waste management and support local businesses.

Please sign this petition urging the Levy County Commissioners not to pass the ordinance banning commercial manure composting!