Master Composter Program offered by University of Illinois Extension

From press release

University of Illinois Extension-Winnebago County announces a new horticulture-related training, the Master Composter Program, designed for adults of any age who are interested in learning the art and science of composting.

The 15-hour training program consists of five workshops that will cover all facets of composting, including soil, organic matter and amendments, benefits, methods, composting in urban areas, and worm composting.

There are no prerequisites to participate in this program, just an interest in learning about composting and a willingness to help educate others about the benefits of composting.

Compost helps reduce the volume of yard wastes and can provide a valuable soil amendment for gardens,

said John Church, Extension Natural Resources educator in the Rockford Extension Center.
At this time of year especially, the volume of leaves and other yard and garden residues can become burdensome for many homeowners. Composting can reduce that volume and at the same time provide material to help improve garden soil conditions. Even items that many people may not think about composting can be used, such as newspapers, which is better than sending it to contribute to filling up landfill space.”

Church will be the lead facilitator for the Master Composter Program, assisted by county-based Extension staff and Master Gardeners.

The program will consist of five three-hour sessions Saturday mornings, Sept. 12 and 19 and Oct. 3, and Thursday evenings Sept. 17 and 24. The cost for the training is $60 for residents of Winnebago County and $70 for non-residents. Participants may construct their own worm bin, complete with composting worms, for an additional 10. Participants will be expected to participate in related volunteer educational activities after they complete the training.

For more information about the program, call the University of Illinois Extension-Winnebago County at (815) 988-4357 or visit http://winnebago.extension.uiuc.edu.

The application and payment can be done via the online registration system.

From the September 2-8, 2009 issue