OUR STORY
Loving Earth Compost began when Whitney Davis, former owner, became involved with a local not-for-profit with a goal to educate people on how to home compost. Quickly she noticed there were many people interested in composting but were unable due to a variety of barriers. She realized if composting was more accessible, more people would do it. Loving Earth Compost was created.
In 2022, Whitney passed the torch to fellow passionate environmentalist and friend Hope LaBonty. Hope is excited to continue providing services as the new owner of Loving Earth Compost.
The mission remains to provide high-quality, convenient composting services to Saratoga Springs and the surrounding areas. We believe whole heartedly that protecting our environment is a community-endeavor, and we need to work together to help combat the climate crisis.
The Composting Process
Your food scraps are collected, weighted and processed to remove any non-compostable material. The scraps are then mixed with the proper amount of carbon to nitrogen ratio and processed into a variety of composting piles, including aerated static compost piles and windrows. The pile is turned and monitored daily to ensure that it has reached the perfect environment for microbes to flourish and food waste to break down. The pile reaches an optimal temperature of 140-160 degrees to kill any diseased pathogens and allow for healthy bacteria and microbes to grow. Once the pile has reached its prime at around 4 weeks, it is then moved to another static pile to cure for about 3 months. We then, test our compost using Dr. Elaine Ingham's Soil Food Web Lab method, for the proper balance of microbes. The compost is then sifted and ready to use!
Composting is one of the easiest and greenest ways we can protect and restore the resources our planet has to offer. Learn more about service plans and become part of the solution.
MEET HOPE LABONTY
she/her
Hope LaBonty is a passionate environmentalist, mother, and community builder who lives on and stewards a 55-acre, solar-powered community farm in Greenwich, NY. As the owner and operator of Loving Earth Compost, she’s on a mission to close the loop between food, soil, and community—turning local food scraps into living compost to nourish gardens, farms, and futures.
Hope’s deep care for the earth began in childhood, rooted in her Aquinnah Wampanoag heritage and nurtured in her grandfather’s garden, where she was given her very first plot of soil to tend. She grew up planting cucumbers, climbing trees, and learning that food could be grown, shared, and celebrated right outside our doors.
That early spark grew into a lifelong commitment. In high school, she joined the recycling club and the Envirothon team, and later earned degrees in Ecology & Environmental Sciences and Sustainable Horticulture.
Her path has taken her through many roles: soil science technician, sustainable landscaper, environmental educator, and now, regenerative systems designer. She holds certifications in Permaculture Design and as a Soil Food Web Lab Technician, using microscopy and microbial analysis to ensure her compost brings life back to the soil.
Today, she stewards land that supports community-based composting, local food sovereignty, and healing—both ecological and personal. Hope believes soil is sacred, compost is culture, and resilience is grown from the ground up.