Waukesha County's Retzer Nature Center offering free composting workshop on 6/14

[PeaceNikki]

http://www.waukeshanow.com/story/index.aspx?id=746348

I am trying to start... and my Googling yielded this!!

International Compost Awareness Week May 4-10
By Meribeth Sullivan
Waukesha County
Posted: May 2, 2008
Some people think of "compost awareness" as an odor emanating from a big pile of mismanaged yard materials in a neighbor's backyard. Actually, composting is an "aerobic" process-one that needs air to work properly. That translates into "no smell".

When a pile of decomposing organic material becomes "anaerobic" (without air), that's when odors occur-but that's not composting! Composting is simply speeding up the natural decomposition of organic materials, like leaves decomposing on a forest floor, but faster.

Those same leaves and yard trimmings, along with fruit and vegetable scraps can break down quickly in a "managed" way to create a wonderful soil additive with unique properties that support and maintain healthy soil. It's also a wonderful way to reuse organic resources rather than bury them in a landfill.

Recently, compost has been recognized as an essential element of the growing natural lawn care business, as well as a critical component of stormwater and erosion control. Compost prevents water pollution from runoff and absorbs toxic chemicals from contaminated soil.

The Associated Recyclers of Wisconsin's (AROW) Organics & Composting Workgroup has members from government agencies and private businesses and serves as a network for compost producers and users around Wisconsin while promoting, advocating and educating about the use of compost.

This workgroup is currently promoting the development of state standards for compost so users know it meets certain specifications. Visit http://www.arow-online.org/organicgroup.html

To learn more about soil health and composting at home, a free workshop is being held at Retzer Nature Center on Saturday, June 14 from 10-noon. For information or reservations, call the Waukesha County Recycling Office at 262-896-8302 or e-mail [e-mail]

[Connonym]

1. Hey, want to attend together?

[PeaceNikki]

2. For sure!!

:bounce:

[midnight]

3. I have been collecting leaves in my back yard for the last two

years. The first year they seemed to have broken down more quickly than this past year. Sounds like I can learn something from the more experienced folks.