Full Circle Compost: Growing a Family Legacy into a Statewide Sustainability Leader

When Cody Witt stepped into leadership at Full Circle Compost, he saw an opportunity to turn a small family operation into something far more impactful for Nevada. What began as a side effort to manage organic waste at the Witt family’s Milky Way Dairy Farm in Minden had the potential to address a much larger challenge: reducing landfill waste while improving soil health across Nevada’s arid climate.

Founded in 1997, Full Circle Compost gradually evolved from a farm-based solution into a growing business, but scaling required strategic planning, market development, and strong local partnerships. To guide that growth, Witt turned to the Nevada Small Business Development Center (Nevada SBDC).

Working closely with SBDC advisors, Witt refined Full Circle Compost’s growth strategy, evaluated expansion opportunities, and explored long-term operational planning, including potential mergers and acquisitions. The Nevada SBDC provided practical, real-world guidance to help the business navigate an emerging and often challenging market, particularly in a state without mandated organic recycling requirements.

In addition to advising, Full Circle Compost benefited from participation in Made in Nevada, the Nevada SBDC’s statewide marketing cooperative. Through Made in Nevada, the company gained increased visibility, access to networking opportunities, and connections to new customers and community partners who shared a commitment to local sourcing and sustainability.

“Being part of Made in Nevada events and networks has been incredibly valuable,” Witt said. “The Nevada SBDC was especially helpful as I took over the company and started planning for growth and next steps.”

Today, Full Circle Compost is one of Nevada’s largest composting and organic recycling operations, processing more than 50 million pounds of organic material and supplying compost products to over 30 locations across Northern Nevada. Since 2014, the company has provided the compost that keeps the University of Nevada, Reno’s Quad green year-round—demonstrating the tangible, local impact of organic recycling.

In 2024 alone, Full Circle Compost diverted more than 24,999 tons of organic material from landfills—equivalent to filling Nevada’s football field 62 feet high with waste. In a state where landfill disposal remains inexpensive and composting is still gaining traction, this impact represents both environmental leadership and persistent market-building.

Looking ahead, Witt plans to expand distribution throughout Nevada and Northern California while increasing organic waste diversion in the Reno–Sparks region. With continued support from the Nevada SBDC and Made in Nevada, Full Circle Compost stands as a powerful example of how family businesses can grow into mission-driven enterprises – strengthening Nevada’s economy while building a more sustainable future.