What makes Shellfish Compost the best?
It's all about the chitin.
Winterwood Farm composts several tons a day of cooked crab, and lobster shells which is a waste product from the sea food processing industry. Chitin, a complex molecule found in these "red" shells, keeps the living animals hydrated in the ocean. When shellfish is used in our composting process the same molecule that hydrates the crab and lobster in the ocean will continue to attract and retain moisture in the soil.
Chitin also helps our bodies heal.
Chitin itself is the subject of exciting medical experiments. When applied to human wounds and surgical cloths, it accelerates the skin healing process. An acidic mixture of chitin, when applied to burns, also accelerates the healing process. Left on for a few days, it can heal a third-degree bun completely. It has been shown to support the immune system during certain kinds of illness-blocking procedures. Chitosan, chitin's spinoff, has been known to aid plants' immune systems while they are growing. When placed on a seed, it induces protective measures within the growing plant.