Overview

Compost Specialist with Cornell Waste Management Institute in the Department of Crop and Soil Science. She has worked in waste education for over eighteen years, first working for Cornell Cooperative Extension in Binghamton, NY and then for The Cornell Waste Management Institute. She has worked on composting feedstock from food to manure to animal carcasses. Currently her time is split between manure and carcass, butcher waste and roadkill composting education and research. Compost Quality, consistency and use as it relates to the market place are a high priority. Current research projects include pathogen control in road killed deer composts and use of manure as animal bedding.

Research Focus

Research includes assessment of pathogens in composting systems found in roadkill deer, Johnes bacteria, Crypto sporidium and Giardia. Compost quality and use in turf, vineyards and landscaping, use of dairy manure solids as bedding.

Outreach and Extension Focus

Research includes assessment of pathogens in composting systems found in roadkill deer, Johnes bacteria, Crypto sporidium and Giardia. Compost quality and use in turf, vineyards and landscaping, use of dairy manure solids as bedding.

Instruction Focus

I do not have a mandate to teach but I assist in courses as requested in my area of expertise.

Additional Links

• Avian Influenza
• Cornell Waste Management Institute
• Using Manure-Based Composts
• Link to CALS Research portal
• Link to CALS Impact statements

Honors, Awards and Appointments

• Outstanding Accomplishments in Extension/Outreach Award ? CALS Research and Extension Award, 2007. - 2007

Selected Publications

• Risinit, M. 2007. State Recycles Deer Roadkill. The Journal News, Lower Hudson. October 8.
• Schwarz, M., Bonhotal, J.F., Harrison, E.Z., and Gruttadaurio, J. 2007. Compost Use on Established Turf. BioCycle. 48(9):27-29.
• Bonhotal, J.F., Harrison, E.Z., Schwarz, M., Gruttadaurio, J. Petrovic, A. Martin. 2007. Using Manure-Based Composts in Turf Maintenance. Cornell Waste Management Institute. http://cwmi.css.cornell.edu/usingmanure.pdf.
• Bonhotal, J. 2006. Poultry Waste Composting at Brey Farm: Case Study. C-3. Manure Management Program, Cornell University, Ithaca.
• Bonhotal, J.F, Harrison, E.Z., and Schwarz, M. 2007. Composting Liquids. Cornell Waste Management Institute. http://cwmi.css.cornell.edu/compostfs8.pdf.
• Associated Press. 2007. Some State Crews Use Roadkill in Compost. Buffalo News. October 14.
• Bonhotal, J.F., Harrison, E.Z., Schwarz, M., Gruttadaurio, J. Petrovic, A. Martin. 2007. Using Manure-Based Composts in Turf Maintenance. Cornell Waste Management Institute. http://cwmi.css.cornell.edu/usingmanure.pdf.
• Associated Press. 2007. Cornell: Composting Roadkill Helps Environment, Taxpayers. The Post Standard. October 13.
• Associated Press. 2007. Municipalities Save By Composting Roadkill. Watertown Daily Times. October 14.
• Poughkeepsie Journal. 2007. From Carcass to Compost: Roadkills Become Fertilizer. PoughkeepsieJournal.com. October 13.
• Taylor, A. 2007. Cornell Begins Composting Deer Killed on Roads. Cornell Daily Sun. October 5. The New York Times. 2007. Deer, Redeemed. NYTimes.com. October 14.
• Schweber, N. 2007. Car Hits Deer. Then What? The New York Times. October 21.
• Risinit, M. 2007. Cornell Recipe Cooks Up Road-Kill Fauna Compost. The Ithaca Journal. October 13.
• Struckle, M. 2007. Bedding on Trial. American Agriculturist. 204 (1):6.
• Risinit, M. 2007. State Turns Dead Deer Into Compost. The Journal News. October 8. Schweber, N. 2007.
• Schweber, N. 2007. Car Hits Deer. Then What? The New York Times. October 21.
• Struckle, M. 2007. Bedding on Trial. American Agriculturist. 204 (1):6.
• Taylor, A. 2007. Cornell Begins Composting Deer Killed on Roads. Cornell Daily Sun. October 5.
• Bonhotal, J.F., Harrison, E.Z., and Schwarz, M. 2007. Composting Road Kill. Cornell Waste Management Institute. 12 page fact sheet and poster. http://cwmi.css.cornell.edu/roadkillfs.pdf and http://cwmi.css.cornell.edu/roadkillposter11x17.pdf
• Schwarz, M., Bassuk, N., Bonhotal, J., and Harrison, E.Z. 2007. Highly Compacted Soils Improved by Compost Use. BioCycle. 48(7):55-56.
• Bonhotal, J. 2006. Poultry Waste Composting at Brey Farm: Case Study. C-3. Manure Management Program, Cornell University, Ithaca.
• Bonhotal, J. 2006. Poultry Waste Composting at ACE Farm: Case Study. C-2. Manure Management Program, Cornell University, Ithaca.
• Bonhotal, J. and E. Z. Harrison. 2006. Compost Equipment. Cornell Waste Management Institute, Ithaca, NY.

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