Compost
Each spring and fall, the City of Fargo's recycling program offers city residents one free yard of compost which is loaded by city Equipment Operators during compost giveaway dates for pickups and trailers. If we load additional yards of compost, the fee is $15 per yard. Please provide proof of residency (drivers license or utility bill).
Residents who will load their own compost by SHOVEL do not need to wait for scheduled giveaway dates or times. If you will be loading your own compost in this manner, the pile for this is available in the southwest corner of the compost site.
Personal equipment is prohibited on city property.
2026 Schedule
The compost giveaway provides a city Equipment Operator to load residents' pickups or trailers. The first yard is free and additional yards are $15 per yard. Residents who will load their own compost by SHOVEL do not need to wait for these dates and times and do not require payment.
The 2026 spring compost giveaway was held in May on the following days: May 4-8, and May 11-15 from 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. and one Saturday, May 16 from 7:15 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
The 2026 fall giveaway will be held in September on the following Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays: September 8-10, and September 15-17 from 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. and one Saturday, September 12 from 7:15 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Purchasing Compost
Before and after the free giveaway, you can purchase compost from the city for $15 per yard. Note, loader assistance is needed; these purchases can only take place on WEDNESDAYS and THURSDAYS between 3:30 and 5 p.m. Please call or stop at the west scale house (corner of 7th Ave & 45th St N) before proceeding to the compost area.