Build Compost With Your Community
Are you ready to make the world a better place? Do you have a community garden you want to enrich?
Do you want to learn about modern soil science? Have a sustainability activity for your community?
This is a fun activity for everyone to learn about the world beneath your feet. Through activities, everyone can learn more about soil and create a valuable resource for their garden and the community. We will work together to ensure the compost contains beneficial microbes, which we will observe under a microscope at the end. Everyone will leave with a better understanding of the natural processes that help plants grow healthy.
Organize Your Group
Identify a space and a core group of people to support the composting initiative. Choose a date to start.
Bucket Handout
Organizers and I set up the space and gave out buckets to supporters.
With the start date and instructions.
Build Pile and Understanding
First, we build understanding with a 30-minute overview of
what we are building, then we build it!
Turn Turn Turn
Temperature monitoring is key. After each turn, the pile must be hot enough for a long time, and then we turn.
Finishing
The fourth turn is for finishing. The temperature will stabilize, and the process will be complete.
Screening and Distribution
We take the time to look at it under a microscope and see what we created together. We screen it into bags.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many people do I need?
A committee of at least two people will do the most hands-on work. These folks will organize the green collection and monitor the temperature after the piles are formed, and communicate with us so we can plan three turns.
It is essential to have a supporting group of 8-12 who work together to source 12 buckets of greens. Greens can be collected from households over the course of a week or at an event in one day, in many ways.
What about the Browns?
We must bring 50% of the browns but can work with you on the other portion. This can come in many forms! But it will need to be discussed!
How many piles are there, and who keeps the compost?
We generally do one or two piles at a time with community events. These piles should not stink. The stink means your pile needs immediate attention. We are one call away and will “fix” the pile.
To keep costs manageable and this knowledge accessible to most community groups, we split the compost or sell it as a fundraiser, charging only a small fee for each group to participate in the unique activity.
What do Supplies do I need?
We will lend your group composting supplies and set up neat fenced pile(s) covered by a tarp while we work with them. You will be given a thermometer, buckets, resources, and other essential supplies.
What space do I need?
For the compost piles, we need an open, out-of-the-way space of about 16 square feet, set at least 3 feet from any structures. The piles need to be undisturbed except when tracking the temperature and turning them. Access to a hose or rainwater is essential!
What is the timeline?
Weather conditions affect the compost-making process. No set timeline can be adhered to. A month from pile creation to finishing is a good approximation.
What Age groups can you work with?
As an experienced Girl Scout Leader and Homeschooler, I am confident working with kids ages 9-99. The information is made available to everyone!