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hello/ cat poop and compost

Hi, from a newbie (adding sqft to my beloved organic and compost listservs,
thanks to my neighbor). I look forward to reading the posts. I taught a
system similar to sqft (sq meter, actually) in Peace Corps, Swaziland. Max
garden nutrient production from min space, suitable to smallest and poorest
households. I like sqft's soil prep, very similar to 'classic' Chadwick-style
'double digging' or Seymour's 'bastard trenching', and plant spacing,
reminding me of Jeavons. Looks nice, too (the 'old' style double dug beds
tend to look like 'here lies Fido' in the front yard, as someone once said).
Anyway-

I currently teach backyard composting classes in Charlotte, NC.

On cat litter, absolutely not in backyard compost IMHO. Cats carry
toxoplasmosis, which may not be killed in backyard compost piles, and which
poses a very serious danger to the growing fetus and newborn infants. As for
other mammalian carnivore and omnivore droppings (pigs, dogs...), I
personally wouldn't use them in backyard piles, either. Leave them to larger
scale, more sophisticated composting operations which can insure high
temperatures.

Don Boekelheide
Charlotte, USDA zone 8a

>It is correct, from what I have read, that cat litter (or that
 of any carnivore) should not be used in the garden.  Only that
 from our vegetarian friends should be used.

--
morris the cat<
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