The Compost Corner: Turning Scraps into a Movement

By Patti Otte

When Richardson resident Emerson Cox Renfro founded The Compost Corner in May 2023, she set out to turn everyday kitchen scraps into a movement. What began as a personal homesteading hobby has blossomed into a vibrant local business dedicated to teaching others the art—and joy—of composting right here in the community.

Emerson Cox Renfro, founder of The Compost Corner, highlighting the mission to make every house compost friendly.

What is Composting?

Composting is the natural process of recycling organic waste—like food scraps, coffee grounds, and yard trimmings—into a nutrient-rich soil mixture called compost. Microorganisms, worms, and beneficial fungi break down these materials over time, creating a dark, crumbly substance that:

• Improves soil health
• Retains moisture
• Reduces the need for chemical fertilizers

A close-up view of organic matter, including vegetable scraps and leaves, in a composting bin.

Drawing on her background in hospitality management and more than a decade in the restaurant industry, Renfro combines creativity, passion, and a keen eye for detail to educate clients about the many benefits of sustainable living.

Education, Entrepreneurship, and Organic Treasures

Through speaking engagements, classes, vendor booths, and now book signings for her debut children’s book Mama’s Mulch, Renfro shares practical how-to tips and inspires families to reduce waste and nurture their own gardens. Her Instagram feed is filled with videos on the fine art of composting, making the process seem simple and approachable.

The cover of Emerson Cox Renfro’s debut children’s book, Mama’s Mulch.

The Compost Corner is more than just a compost supplier. Renfro offers:

• Fresh compost, tools, and supplies online.
• Charming merchandise.
• A variety of organic goods at festivals and farmers markets, including seasonal canned goods, eggs, and sourdough starter kits, straight from her Richardson backyard homestead.

The Compost Corner vendor booth at a local market, offering goods, supplies, and information.

Emerson meeting community members at a vendor event, teaching the benefits of composting.

Renfro has coined two playful yet powerful mottos that reflect her commitment to the environment: “Waste Not, Love Rot” and “Make Compost Great Again!” These guiding principles emphasize her belief that small, sustainable habits can make a big difference, keeping valuable nutrients out of landfills and returning them to the earth.

A Business Built on Community Roots

A Dallas native, Renfro and her family settled in Richardson’s Canyon Creek neighborhood in 2021, transforming their home into a flourishing homestead. After the birth of her daughter Joy, she sought a way to blend entrepreneurship with full-time motherhood. Introducing backyard chickens led naturally to composting—and eventually to a thriving enterprise.

For Renfro, the key to growing a business is simple but profound: networking. “Word of mouth goes a long way,” she says. “Start conversations about your passions and build relationships—you never know what doors will open.”

The Compost Corner is proudly a one-woman operation, embodying Emerson’s dedication to sustainability and community education. To learn more, visit thecompostcorner.com or follow @thecompostcorner on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.