Cody Witt, who graduated from the University of Nevada, Reno’s MBA program in 2011, has developed his family’s side business into Full Circle Compost. The company is now recognized for its work in sustainability in Nevada. Witt says his MBA studies, which focused on entrepreneurship, helped him build the company’s strategy. He also gained practical experience at the Nevada Small Business Development Center (SBDC), where he received advice on business planning, growth, and networking. The SBDC’s Made in Nevada marketing group helped Full Circle Compost reach new customers and community partners.
Full Circle Compost is based in Minden and was founded in 1997. It began as part of the Witt family’s Milky Way Dairy Farm, which started in 1910. The business started as a small waste-reduction project and has grown into a larger composting and organic recycling operation. The company now processes more than 50 million pounds of organic material and supplies products to over 30 locations in Northern Nevada.
Witt has faced challenges in Nevada, where there are no laws requiring recycling of organic materials and landfill costs are low. This makes it cheaper for many people to throw away waste instead of composting. Witt notes that more people are interested in sustainability and home gardening. He says compost is important in Nevada’s dry climate because it helps soil hold water and stay healthy…