News Release — Highfields Composting
April 17, 2014
Contact:
Kim Mercer, Communications Manager
Phone – (802) 472-5138 ext. 205 / (802) 274-3043
Email – kim@highfieldscomposting.org
Offering Webinars, Workshops, Site Tours and More
Vermont—Highfields Center for Composting is joining the U.S. Composting Council and other organizations across the country to promote the benefits of composting through the International Compost Awareness Week (ICAW), May 5-11, 2014. The ICAW was started in 1999 by the U.S. Composting Council and is held annually during the first full week of May.
The purpose of this multi-media event is to educate the public on home composting and encourage the support of larger scale composting operations through participation in community programs and the purchase of compost from locally owned businesses. The theme for ICAW 2014 is “Compost….The solution to sustainable soil and water”.
“We have a mission to spread the word about the importance of composting,” says Highfields communications manager, Kim Mercer, “and the beginning of May is when many Vermonters are gearing up for the growing season. So Compost Awareness Week is a perfect time for us to schedule a full slate of workshops, webinars, and other freebies to teach people more about composting.”
During the week, Highfields will present its’ popular “Extreme Home Composting” online seminar at multiple times. There will also be a special “Power of Community Composting” webinar presented by Brenda Platt, of the Institute for Local Self-Reliance in Washington, DC. In-person workshops for home composters will be given in Norwich, Middlebury, and Jericho, Vermont. These classes help first-time composters get started, and answer questions for people who already compost at home.
For educators, Highfields has put together a list of read-aloud books about composting and unique compost-related downloadable bookmark and coloring page templates, which can be found online at http://highfieldscomposting.org/CAW-book-list.
On Thursday, May 8th at 5:00 pm at its Research and Education Center in Wolcott, Highfields staff will present a “Make Your Own Worm Bin” workshop for teachers to make-and-take a vermicompost system designed for recycling food scraps in their classrooms. All materials will be provided, including the red wriggler worms and detailed maintenance instructions. The cost is $10 to cover the cost of the plastic bin. Space is limited and pre-registration is required by calling (802) 274-3043 x205. [LINK: http://highfieldscomposting.org/make-your-own-worm-bin ]
Details and registration information for all Compost Awareness Week events are online at http://highfieldscomposting.org/ICAW-2014.
The “Extreme Home Composting” webinars are being offered at three different times:
Monday, May 5th at 7:30 pm EST
Tuesday, May 6th at 10:00 am EST
Thursday, May 8th at 7:30 pm EST
Advance registration is required. [ LINK: http://highfieldscomposting.org/CAW-registration ]
“Extreme Home Composting” in-person workshops are scheduled as follows:
Sunday, May 4th @ 5:30 pm, Montshire Museum, Norwich, VT
Sponsored by the Norwich Energy Committee
Tuesday, May 6th @ 7 pm, Ilsley Library, Middlebury, VT
Co-sponsored by the Weybridge and Middlebury Energy Committees
Wednesday, May 7th @ 7 pm, Community Center, Jericho, VT
Sponsored by the Jericho Energy Committee
No registration necessary. Questions can be directed to Highfields Center for Composting by calling (802) 472-5138 ext. 205 or by emailing kim@highfieldscomposting.org.
Our mission at Highfields is to close the loop on community-based, sustainable food and agricultural systems, thus addressing soil health, water quality, solid waste, farm viability, and climate change. We research, educate, and provide technical services for composting and comprehensive food waste recycling programs.
For more information about Highfields Center for Composting and its programs, please contact Kim Mercer at 802-472-5138 extension 206, visit http://highfieldscomposting.org or send a message to kim@highfieldscomposting.org.
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