Last updated: 2026-05-31
These Terms govern your use of the Compost Atlas calculator at
compostatlas.org. By signing in, requesting access,
or using the tool in any other way, you accept these Terms in full.
If you do not agree, do not use the tool.
1. What this tool is — and is not
Compost Atlas is an informational and educational calculator that estimates the 90-day plant-available nutrient delivery of a compost application based on (a) lab values you provide for the compost, (b) live USDA SSURGO soil data for a coordinate you provide, and (c) the application rate, depth, and method you provide. The outputs are estimates derived from published methods and third-party data; see the Sources page.
Compost Atlas is not agronomic, engineering, legal, regulatory, environmental, or financial advice. It is not a substitute for professional consultation, site-specific soil and tissue testing, or local agronomic judgment. It must not be relied upon as the sole basis for any nutrient-management, fertilization, regulatory-compliance, or land-management decision.
2. No warranty
Compost Atlas is provided "AS IS" and "AS AVAILABLE", without warranty of any kind, express or implied, including but not limited to any warranty of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, accuracy, completeness, timeliness, or non-infringement. The author does not independently validate the inputs you provide (lab values, coordinates, application rates) or the third-party data returned by the data sources listed on the Sources page, and makes no representation as to the suitability of the outputs for any particular field, crop, soil, climate, or management regime.
3. Limitation of liability
To the maximum extent permitted by law, the author and any affiliated parties disclaim all liability for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, consequential, punitive, or exemplary damages of any kind whatsoever arising out of or in connection with the use of, or the inability to use, Compost Atlas or its outputs — whether based in contract, tort (including negligence), strict liability, or any other legal theory, and whether or not the author has been advised of the possibility of such damages.
You use Compost Atlas entirely at your own risk and assume all responsibility for any crop, yield, environmental, regulatory, or financial outcome that follows from decisions informed by its outputs.
4. Acceptable use
You agree to use Compost Atlas only for lawful purposes, only on inputs you have a right to use, and only in a manner that does not overload, disrupt, or attempt to circumvent the access controls of the service. The shared access password is for the use of authorized individuals only and may not be redistributed.
5. Third-party data
Compost Atlas relies on third-party data and methods, including but not limited to the USDA NRCS Soil Data Access (SSURGO), USCC TMECC methods, OSU Extension, UC ANR, NRCS Practice Standard 590, the Western Fertilizer Handbook, and CDFA FREP. See the Sources page for the full list. The author is not responsible for the availability, accuracy, or completeness of any third-party source.
6. Changes
These Terms may be updated from time to time. The "Last updated" date above reflects the current revision. Continued use of the tool after a change constitutes acceptance of the updated Terms.
7. Contact
Questions about these Terms or the tool: Rick Wilson, PhD MBA, rwilson@compostatlas.org.