The University of Illinois Extension is hosting a session on Composting Science and Strategies on Thursday, May 31 from 3 to 6 p.m. at U.S. Bank, 430 Main Street, Pecatonica. This program will be of particular interest to horse owners, livestock producers, market gardeners, and landscapers.
The workshop is geared towards small to mid-scale livestock operations that are looking for a way to turn organic waste into a valuable product, as well as towards market gardeners, crop producers, and landscapers looking for a consistent and reliable source of high-quality compost.
Jay Solomon, Energy and Environmental Stewardship Educator, and Ellen Phillips, Local Foods and Small Farms Educator, will offer participants an in-depth introduction to best management practices regarding the science behind organic waste composting, composting techniques and strategies, Illinois rules and regulations regarding manure storage and composting, and much more.
“Composting provides horse and livestock operations an excellent option for manure management, and returns important nutrients to the soil for reuse by plants. In addition, large vegetable growers and landscapers that install composting systems have greater control over compost quality, availability and cost,” says Solomon. “Creating good compost takes more than just putting organic material into piles. It requires some knowledge and management. Composting is part nature, part science, and part art. We can help you with the first two; the art is learned through experience.”
The program fee is your choice of $15 for the workshop only, or $35 for the workshop plus a copy of the On-Farm Composting Handbook (a $25 value). More information can be found at http://web.extension.illinois.edu/jsw or by calling the Winnebago office of the U of I Extension at (815) 986.4357.
