Herbicide Contamination in Compost | Asheville News

Asheville News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now! · Aug 7, 2026 · 1m

Herbicide contamination in compost and manure is wreaking havoc on gardens across Western North Carolina, with toxic residues like aminopyralid persisting for years—even after composting. Farmers using herbicide-treated pastures often unknowingly pass the contamination to home gardeners via manure or soil mixes, ruining crops and forcing reliance on state agencies for solutions. Even “organic” products aren’t immune, as herbicide-laced feedstocks slip through certification cracks. The real fix? Community-controlled composting systems built on transparency and accountability, where producers…