Now they won't accept yard wastes in anything but paper bags. The Tuthills are pleased by their interaction with neighbors and their ability to provide a community service. But they have to work at it, educating their neighbors, offering tours, fact sheets and open houses. They worried that some of the new neighbors might think their operation was merely a nuisance and attempt to stop their operations or have property zoned against their activities. So instead of selling compost, they use almost all of it on their farm.
Some neighbors take small amounts for their yards and gardens.
In 1999, the Right To Farm Law was amended, by Act 261, restricting the power of local units of government to regulate farming. Before they started composting, the Tuthills attended educational seminars to learn how to do it right. It is geared for operations like theirs that use diverse materials for compost-making. They use that as an annual refresher course. For two years, the Tuthills were cooperators in on-farm research trials organized by the Michigan Agricultural Stewardship Association.