This Summer, Learn All About Composting Ecology and Management

Curious about composting? Ever imagined yourself working at a compost facility? This summer you can learn all about how to run a compost facility, and meet seasoned professionals in the field.

PSS 154 Composting Ecology and Management is a new course offered this summer for all UVM students. We will cover the basic biology and ecology of compost, site management, stormwater management, recipe development, feedstock analysis, and compost management techniques. In addition to lectures, students will perform feedstock analyses, build their own compost pile, visit working compost facilities in the state, and receive insights from guest lecturers on site permitting and state policies behind composting. We will visit local compost facilities including Green Mountain Compost, Highfields Center for Composting, Grow Compost, and Karl Hammer’s Vermont Compost.

The course is structured around your interests – we will cover what you most want to learn.

Composting is a crucial component to recovering and recycling valuable nutrients destined for the landfill. With the recent passing of Act 148, Vermont has mandated 100% organics diversion from landfills by 2020, meaning no more compostable materials will be going to landfills. This means the compost industry is more important than ever before, and will definitely blossom in the upcoming years. This is a prime time to get acquainted with the basics of composting ecology, and get inspired by all the great work that’s happening locally!

The course runs from July 15 – August 9, Tues/Weds/Thurs 9:00-12:45 at the UVM Miller Farm. There will be one day-long visit to Highfields Center for Composting.

Enrollment is open now, so sign up today! Course fees cover the building of a demonstration pile, cost of site visits, and in-class activities. Course Catalog: PSS 154 CRN# 60782

If you have any questions about the course, please email Lynn Fang at lfang@uvm.edu