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County advances lease talks with Sunshine Organics for composting and biochar at the Ecoloop
Summary
Commissioners directed staff to begin lease negotiations with Sunshine Organics for a composting and biochar facility at the Alachua County Ecoloop. Company representatives detailed capacity, equipment (aerated static pile system and biochar unit), permitting timeline and community benefits including donated compost and potential jobs.
Christina Kalkorse and Mike Helcors, co‑owners of Sunshine Organics, presented a proposal to construct and operate a commercial composting facility and biochar production line at the Alachua County Ecoloop. Kalkorse said the company currently operates a 12‑acre facility in Duval County and can scale regional operations: on 15–20 acres at Ecoloop they estimate capacity to divert tens of thousands of tons of organics annually and produce compost and biochar for agricultural and stormwater uses.
Presenters described equipment and operations: windrow composting and an aerated static‑pile system (ASP) to control odors and moisture, and a biochar unit that thermally processes woody waste into carbon‑rich biochar. Kalkorse said the company is OMRI‑listed for organic compost, pursuing STA certification, and uses leachate recirculation and ponds to manage stormwater and runoff. Mike Helcors described leachate and stormwater controls, secondary containment for any liquids, and temperature regimes (140–160°F) that support pathogen reduction. Kalkorse and Helcors said they are pursuing grant funding and research partnerships with local universities to verify biochar carbon‑sequestration and nutrient balances.
Commissioners and staff asked detailed questions about persistent herbicides and PFAS: the applicants said they avoid suspect feedstock in compost, that biochar processing reaches temperatures that destroy many contaminants in feedstock processed through that stream, and that compost feedstock testing and frequent nutrient testing would be part of permitting and certification requirements. The board also discussed hours of operation, trucking radius (applicants said most material would come from within ~50 miles), local hiring (initially 10 employees, scaling to ~20) and potential to accept tree and yard waste now handled by county burns.
Action: Commissioners voted to authorize staff to open lease negotiations with Sunshine Organics for a composting facility at the Ecoloop and to continue coordination with Solid Waste and community stakeholders on permitting and operations.
Next steps: staff will negotiate a lease consistent with county procurement and permitting requirements and return with a proposed agreement for board review.
