[USCC] Ralph Jurgens

[Matthew Cotton]

Dear Composting Community:

It is with a great sadness and a deep humility that I pass on news of  
the passing of West Coast compost pioneer Ralph Jurgens. Ralph passed  
away this August after a year long battle with cancer. Ralph was an  
early and ardent supporter of composting and sustainable agriculture,  
and had a deep appreciation for soil health. Both through his  
business making compost and providing technical assistance to  
growers, Ralph had a huge impact on the compost industry in  
California and undoubtedly throughout the West. A regular speaker at  
BioCycle Conferences, Eco-Farm, and hundreds of specialty workshops,  
Ralph taught the importance of restoring organics to soil, the  
importance of sustainability, nutrient balance, and so much more.

There is no concise way to sum up the impact that Ralph Jurgens had  
on composters in California. He was always quick to answer a question  
or offer practical advice based on lessons he had learned in the  
field, making compost and working with farmers. He gave generously of  
his time and always seemed to have an eager crowd around him after  
giving a presentation. I can think of dozens of composters that owe  
Ralph a huge debt of gratitude for the advice he freely gave them  
early in their careers, as the CA compost industry went through a  
huge period of growth in the early 1990s. The early 1990's was a  
competitive time in the CA compost industry, but Ralph understood  
that it wasn't one composter versus another but rather all of the  
composters against the status quo. Ralph was a man on a mission - to  
educate and disseminate information about composting and soil health  
- a mission he accomplished with style, grace, and a great sense of  
humor.

There are two excellent tributes to Ralph on the Ecological Farming  
Association website:

http://www.eco-farm.org/Jurgens/index.html

It seems fitting that the EFA tribute has a picture of Ralph standing  
in front of a windrow turner, undoubtedly explaining yet again, the  
intricacies of the compost process and how it all relates to plant  
growth and soil health. The composting world will miss Ralph, though  
his lessons and inspiration live on.

Matthew Cotton, President, Board of Directors
US Composting Council