The CAES at UGA has a good publication on composting practices(Pub.# C-816) You should be able to pick one up at your local County Extension office or go to the site below and download a copy. It is also available in PDF format, as well as HTML.
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Here is a link that might be useful: Composting & Mulching

I don't know much about composting, but I do know that if you keep throwing green stuff and brown stuff (leaves, pine straw) into a pile you eventually get gorgeous black compost. If you have a bag on your mower, blow all your leaves into the yard this fall and mow. Pile all that on your compost pile and you'll have some good compost come spring.

I no longer throw food stuffs in my compost bin because it was attracting racoon and possum. I have plenty of yard waste to keep it (and possibly the entire county) in compost! You will too once you really kick in and start a garden.

GGG

You might want to look into vermicomposting for your food scraps where ants and varmits are a problem.

Here is a link that might be useful: Composting with worms

And when it is dry, you do have occasionally water your pile to make up for lack of rain to keep it moist.

Yeah, put the hose to it for a while.