Thank you for helping guide CREF’s future research.
Your participation has helped us narrow a wide field of ideas into three leading research priorities. After reviewing over 100 submissions submissions and stakeholder perspectives, we are now ready for the final vote. This follow-up survey will determine which project moves forward for 2026 research funding. Final voting will take place by ranking your selections in order of preference below. We appreciate your continued involvement and look forward to your input.

1 | Compost-Based Water Conservation Solutions
This project will quantify how compost improves soil water retention, reduces irrigation needs and costs, and boosts yields and landscape health through a literature review of field trials, resulting in a data-driven guide that helps farmers, operators, and municipalities adopt compost for sustainable, cost-effective water management.

2 | Impact of Adding Food Scraps on Composting Dynamics
This study will measure the impact on composting dynamics from adding food waste to green waste, and will develop guidelines for adapting operations to successfully add increasing amounts of food waste.

3 | Understanding PFAS Levels in Compost
This project will involve a literature review, from recent published literature, on PFAS levels found in various types of compost to provide context on the impact of feedstocks and compost processing type on PFAS concentrations in finished composts.

For complete information on the projects, please visit https://compostfoundation.org/potentialresearch

Your selections will be scored using a simple point system: your top choice earns 3 points, your second choice earns 2 points, and your third choice earns 1 point. The total scores will determine the final project selected.