Region Manager Paul Christensen on the Benefits of Biosolids
Paul Christensen has been working with communities to develop working biosolid programs for his entire 25-year career with PeopleService. “In Minnesota, the MPCA is very supportive of biosolid recycling. We have seen great growth in the number of farmers who take advantage of the biosolid programs we offer,” he said. “Usually, by this time, we are hauling and applying biosolids to the fields, but this year, we have two feet of snow on the ground and that delays the process. To properly apply the biosolid to the field the ground must be dry. Once that happens, applications can begin and the farmers can start seeding. These programs are cost-effective, and the product we are delivering is organic and rich in nitrogen, phosphorus and other nutrients. The farmers see the benefits in the soil and the crops produced. The nitrogen contained within the biosolid is slow-release, so it continues to feed the land from the point of application well into the next year. This yields great results and improves overall soil quality. We have active biosolid programs in communities across the state and each is built on an individual basis because our goal is to provide a custom biosolid management program based on the needs and resources specific to each client we serve. It’s just one of the ways PeopleService works to better serve the communities who partner with us.”