Abstract: A calcium salt protective coating formed in situ by combining fatty acids with lime, also the associated method of forming the protective coating in situ. The fatty acids are preferably vegetable fatty acids such as from soapstock byproduct skimmings produced during the manufacture of vegetable oil. Experimental testing has shown that the protective coating is substantially impervious to moisture. The protective coating is a suitable covering for hay bales, silage, coal piles, and road salt piles. Further experimental testing has shown that the present invention is also suited to environmental soil bioremediation (“landfarming”) using microbes, in which the fatty acid ingredient, in addition to being used in formation of a protective coating that inhibits introduction of oxygen into the soil being treated, is also used as a carbon source for the microbial activity.