USCC Represents the Compost Industry at AAPFCO’s Summer Meeting

On August 8th, Ron Alexander of R. Alexander Associates, Inc., and Sam Dixon of the US Composting Council, both Industry Liaisons to the Association of American Plant Food Control Officials (AAPFCO), traveled to Omaha, Nebraska, to represent the compost industry at the AAPFCO’s Summer Annual. 
For those unfamiliar, AAPFCO is the professional association of state regulatory control officials—often from Departments of Agriculture or State Extension Services—who oversee registration of and labeling and marketing claims for agricultural and horticultural products. These products range from fertilizers and soil amendments, to beneficial substances, growing media, liming agents, biostimulants, and more. Compost is currently registered as a soil amendment or fertilizer. 

AAPFCO’s ultimate goal is to create uniform, science-based regulatory programs across states, standardize labels, and protect both consumers and the environment. Because these regulations directly affect how compost is registered, labeled, and marketed, having industry representation at these meetings is critical. 

Key Topics and Engagement 

This summer’s meeting was especially busy for the USCC. One major topic of discussion was the Uniform Beneficial Substance Bill, which is currently being adopted state-by-state. The bill aims to standardize definitions, claims, and labeling for substances that benefit plants and soil and absorbed the Uniform Soil Amendment Bill. Importantly, the regulation is moving towards regulating biostimulants.  

The USCC also delivered a presentation to AAPFCO officials and Industry Liaisons about the composting industry, its manufacturing processes, the USCC’s AAPFCO efforts, and the Seal of Testing Assurance (STA) Program. It emphasized that compost is produced using a controlled, science-based process—on par with other widely recognized agricultural and horticultural tools. With new regulatory officials entering the field, these presentations help educate them on compost production, promote uniformity, and support fair, practical regulations. 

Bulk Compost Labeling 
The USCC also submitted proposed updates to the Rules and Regulations for Bulk Compost in the AAPFCO Official Publication. These updates focused on clarifying allowable product claims for compost, helping state regulators manage claims effectively, and giving composters clear, science-backed marketing claims that they can take advantage of. The Uniform Bills Committee unanimously voted these updates to “tentative” status, meaning they will move forward for consideration by the full AAPFCO membership at the Winter 2026 meeting in Fort Worth, Texas.

Continuing the Partnership 
The USCC has a long-standing relationship with AAPFCO and remains committed to representing the compost industry at these important meetings. Our involvement ensures compost has a voice in shaping fair, consistent regulations that serve both producers and the public. We thank Ron Alexander for representing the USCC at AAPFCO meetings for over 25 years, and we congratulate him for being awarded the D.S. Coltrane Award for service to the AAPFCO.  

If you’re a USCC member interested in learning more about our work with AAPFCO, we’d be happy to connect with you.