Long before Internet or Social Media, in 1987, Pieter made this design
NEW COMPOSTING SYSTEM
(For approximately 90-100 tons/day)
ADVANTAGES: (Besides Pre-Wetting)
Smaller concrete area - low roof - closed system. Building size approximately 330 x 100 x 10 feet
Limited inside air volume, approximately 10,000 m³ total, including end building.
Less outside influence, no freezing - drying etc.
Ability to control environment, CO₂ O₂ concentration.
Air supply underneath the ricks - low pressure.
Constant air circulation between the ricks.
Very intensive mixing, because 4 x changing direction.
No shortening of the material, no beaters - pick-up drums etc.
Hardly any cool down during turning.
Ricks have always same height and width (only shorter).
Easy application of supplements and good mixing.
Automatic sampling easy, ricks always in same position.
Less labour intensive, no turners - loaders - supplement spreaders etc.
Easy application of water, no water hoses - reels etc.
No run-off, easy cleaning, one lowest point.
Works with simple, existing machinery, net-puller, winch, ricker-box and conveyor belts.
Low energy level - low maintenance level.
Pulling nets underneath, no cover nets.
No smell - air pollution because biofilter.
On the left: Fan house total capacity 10,000 m³ per Hour, or 5000 CFM (Cubic Feet per Minute)
On the right: To tunnel ⇢ or filling line
Air duct
On left: Bio filter for approximately 2500 m³ per hour or 1250 CFM (Cubic Feet per Minute)
Sump pump ← slope 1%
Winch Net Puller Rail Circulation air Adding water
Run off
Cleaning pit
Pre-wet area Ricking P.J.C. VEDDER 1987
Adding Supplements
Gypsum etc.
Husband Pieter no doubt was ahead of his time...
Sure, he always has been a brilliant thinker and the BEST teacher I've ever had.
Feeling very proud of him:
Husband Pieter's Graduation List:
EXAMS TEACHERS HORTICULTURAL TECHNIQUE B 1956
GRADEBOOK
of
P. VEDDER
Horticultural technology 8
Engines and tools 10
Physics and mechanics 8
Economy 8
Result: Graduated
Wageningen, 27 juni 1956 (wur.nl - Wageningen University & Research)
The exam board
EXAMS TEACHERS HORTICULTURAL TECHNIQUE A 1957
GRADEBOOK
of
P. J. VEDDER
Horticultural technology 8
Heating 8
Greenhouse construction 8
Storage and Electricity 8 8
Physics 8
Economy 8
Result: Graduated
Wageningen, 10 juli 1957 (wur.nl - Wageningen University & Research)
The exam board
Having already the HORTICULTURAL TRAINING A, 1956 -1957 under his belt,
husband Pieter had to perform a TEST LESSONEducational preliminary training: T.T. B = Horticultural Technique B
Place: Vegetable Growing Vocational School, Venlo/The Netherlands
Time: June 21, 1957
Subject: Control Devices
A good test lesson, which is carefully prepared and given in a pleasant manner. If the candidate gets a little more routine, he will become a very good force with his diligence and ingenuity When it comes to the use of tools, he is one of the very best.
The grading scale in the Netherlands
National training course for horticultural subject teachers.
General part, B.
Vedder P.J.C. Arcen, Limburg
Psychology, pedagogy and didactics 9
Soil science and fertilization 8
Biology 8
Dutch language 9
Board writing 7
Economy 8
In the Netherlands, the traditional grading scale is from 1 to 10, where 1 is the lowest and 10 the highest grade. The pass mark for a single subject is 6, but for school leaving examinations, where 6 or more subjects are examined, one 5 or one 4 may be condoned if compensated for by high grades in other subjects. Grades 1 to 3 are very rarely given, and the same is true for grades 9 and 10. The most common grades in both secondary and higher education are 6 and 7.
Grading in secondary and higher education differs to the extent that high grades are slightly less frequent in secondary education than in higher education. Based on data from 2006 regarding secondary school examinations, the percentages of grades were as follows:
9.50 - 10.00 Excellent
8.50-9.49 Very Good
7.5-8.49 Good
6.50-7.49 Highly satisfactory
6.00-6.49 Satisfactory
5.50-5.99 Almost satisfactory
4.00-5.49 Unsatisfactory
3.00-3.99 Very unsatisfactory
2.00-2.99 Poor
1.00-1.99 Very poor
Wageningen university (in The Netherlands) ranks world's best in the field of Agriculture & Forestry
Related posts about our publication and reviews by others:
modern mushroom growing 2020 harvesting | post about our latest publication
Editorial Review by British Mushroom Journal: P.J.C. Vedder as an Eminent Mushroom Expert, and a Gifted Teacher is Greatly Valued and Admired Internationally | loving words by top magazine
The Three Most Important Items for Mushroom Production 'Compost, Compost, Compost!' | editorial written by Campbell colleague upon Pieter's resignation and departure to Italy...
Pieter definitely took what he learned along with his own ingenuity and diligence to become distinguished in his field. Amazing that you both have so well-documented your lives and accomplishments.
ReplyDeleteDearest Tammy,
DeletePieter's TEST LESSON's results were an excellent mirror of how true it was that he's one of the best!
Having things so well documented has also everything to do with it. Preparing a lesson, or later in life, a seminar asked for very well organized material and slides.
Both of us have been at some International Conferences where the speaker had the 'wrong' slides with him (from his kids on vacation...) and thus his entire lecture fell in the water... Pieter was always well prepared and he did even bring his own slide carousel! That way the sequence was correct, not upside down etc. In his hotel room he first viewed them with a timer for his lecture so he was absolutely sure he was within the time limit and such.
In 2013 I've started digitalizing all those slides and photo albums, scrapbooks etc. That's how you come across everything.
Hugs,
Mariette
Hello Mariette, I award Pieter two gold stars, for his composter and also for his grades. Although mushroom farming has very special compost needs, any sort of agriculture or gardening needs compost too, and in reading about composting I have been struck by the intense labor required, and the effluvia that must come from most piles. Pieter's system is engineered to deal with each problem or drawback (although I just know that my job would be to tend to the "Cleaning Pit").
ReplyDeleteI am glad you provided a description of subtleties of the grade scale--it is apparent that grade inflation had not come to the Netherlands in Pieter's day--I wonder if it is different now?
--Jim
Dearest Jim,
DeleteThank you on behalf of Pieter and yes, I too find he is very deserving of them and his grades are proof of it.
Yes, this type of making compost for mushroom growing is quite a science as we kind of mimic mother nature, what happens in an entire year. We try to make it a lot faster so it has commercial value for repeat cycles and good yields.
You certainly would not be in charge of the Cleaning Pit as Pieter probably would rather soon be able to explain the entire system to you and you would manage it very well!
No, in Pieter's day it was still very strict about good grades, as it was in my days also. Things are different now.
Hugs,
Mariette
What a treasure to have found all these documents. You should both be very proud of your accomplishments.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
Dearest Victor,
DeleteThank you and we sure are happy with such treasures!
Hugs,
Mariette
You married a genius. . . . . and lucky him found a fabulous lady to share his special life with. You are an amazing couple - would love to meet in person some day!!!! Don't know a lot about composting although I do it on a small scale - but I definitely love mushrooms.
ReplyDeleteHugs - stay well.
Mary
Dearest Mary,
DeleteThank you and yes, Pieter sure has been a brilliant teacher and quite a scientific pioneer in the field of commercial mushroom growing.
Would love to meet with you both, when the weather is getting back to mild and lovely. Right now it is so dreary and dark, wet...
Hugs,
Mariette
Dear Mariette,
ReplyDeletea little bit to big for my garden :-) Must scale it down?
Or has Pieter a version for homegardening?
Best regards
Bernhard
Dearest Bernhard,
DeleteNo, this is only for commercial mushroom growing...
Hugs,
Mariette
That was good to read. I have aways wondered how the grading compared. And here you have gone through the trouble of having shown us.
ReplyDeleteDearest Katie Isabella,
DeleteThank you! Yes, I sure had to mention this as Pieter deserves the honor.
Hugs,
Mariette
Oh My Gosh, This Is Brilliant - And Back In The 80's - And In My Post, I Was Referring To The Structure That Houses These Wonderful Feats - Amazing - And Have You Visited The Biosphere In Tucson AZ??? Big Hugs
ReplyDeleteDearest Travis,
DeleteThank you, yes we found it between Pieter's books... So glad we retrieved it and who knows it might help others around the world.
No, we have not visited the Biosphere in Tucson, AZ.
Hugs,
Mariette