USCC Foundations of Composting

CLOISTER NORTH

This intensive 1-day training will cover the basic concepts, practices and “how to’s” of compost production. The course will provide a foundation for novice compost operators, managers and regulators and will refresh veteran composters on the underlying scientific principles. Subjects will include: Basic principles of composting, monitoring and managing the process, data collection and interpretation, odor control, review of major processing methods, and an overview of markets for compost.

Compost Use in Agriculture, Horticulture and Landscaping

GALLERY

Once compost has passed regulatory health and safety standards, fruit, vegetable, ornamental and organic growers and producers are interested in potential benefits of its use. Appropriate compost utilization for agriculture, horticultural and landscape products must ensure a proper balance between organics, applied nutrients and the nutrients needs of the particular crop being produced. Consideration must also be given to potentially harmful effects such as plant phytotoxicity and the presence of heavy metals. Workshop participants will learn proper compost use for specific crops and other applications. Training will be based on composting principles and promote the improvement of soil physical, chemical and biological properties by the correct use of composts. To evaluate the effectiveness of the training, pre and post-tests will be administered before and after the training program.

Aerated Static Pile Composting: Applications and Advancements

CLOISTER SOUTH

This course is for experienced composters (municipal, farm, non-profit or for-profit) who would like to expand beyond the basics of leaf and yard waste composting into food residuals, manures, biosolids and other challenging materials.  It is also the ideal class for those who want to convert a turned windrow system to an aerated static pile system to improve operating efficiencies, reduce off-site impacts from odors and increase processing capacity.

Participants will learn the differences among various aerated compost systems, how to determine fan size and piping, and procedures for constructing and monitoring an ASP System.  Many examples of aerated compost systems will be discussed, ranging in size from 2.5 to 25,000 cubic yards and processing all varieties of organic by-products from municipal, institutional and agricultural sources.  This workshop includes hands-on exercises, useful planning tools, and an open-discussion format to explore student’s specific needs.

Pre-requisite: USCC Foundations of Composting or similar basic compost operations course – recommended.

Composting Business Management

SCRIBE

This one-day program will be of benefit to both newcomers and experienced composters. The seminar covers the business management aspects of developing and running a compost business. Topics to be covered will include: the basics of business management, developing a new composting business, business expansion and growth, and exiting a business, among other topics, such as the business aspects of both product and waste management marketing and sales and workforce development options available to composters.

Best Practices in Compost Education- The Key to Effective Community Participation

CAPTAIN

Building and maintaining an effective educational outreach drives participation, compliance and good will within a community. Join us as we explore the many innovative approaches used by top programs around the country. You’ll be certain to pick up ideas that can boost several key aspects of your program. Snapshots of leading educational programs, interactive games, a resource survey, a participant’s roundtable, a links page, online tours of effective websites and even a few songs will keep your interest and boost your enthusiasm.

Stan Slaughter, USCC’s 2000 Educator of the Year and veteran compost education consultant, will craft an experience that is fast paced and fun. Slaughter has been contracted as Kansas’ statewide waste reduction educator for the past 15 years and has been touring the country as a free lance composting and recycling educator for more than 22 years. In his travels he’s visited some of our country’s best compost education programs and brings those insights to his workshop. His innovative approaches are highlighted by the Compost Gin Card Game, produced with cooperation from the USCC and his music CD, Rot N’ Roll.

Odor Control and Process Management: Focus on Food Wastes

CAPTAIN

Food waste is wet, sloppy and very energetic, thus difficult to bring into an existing yard debris or manure composting system without generating significant odors. This is the time to up your game and make process and facility changes that will assure that you are in control of the process, and understand the dynamics that can not only keep your neighbors happy, but increase your rate of production, throughput and product quality.

This workshop will provide information and discuss odor management for various handling systems and control technologies for composting. Methods of odor assessment will be presented. Odor modeling and its value will be discussed. There have been several studies concerning odor as a potential public health issue. As a result there have been several legal actions against operators. This aspect will also be discussed.

Compost Marketer’s Toolkit

KNAVE

The fast-paced workshop will provides training for compost sales and marketing staff on the basics of compost marketing and sales, as well as provides pertinent technical information pertaining to compost benefits, and plant and soil responses (ammunition for the compost salesperson). The workshop provides marketing insight and sales techniques for new, as well as veteran, compost sales staff. Consider a ‘primer’ course in compost marketing and sales.

Whats in YOUR Compost? How to Know and What to Put on Your Label

KNAVE

Many composters test their compost products on an ongoing basis in order prove to their customers that they are producing a consistently high quality product. However, many composters do not know how to interpret their test data results. The ability to do so, allows composters to more effectively improve the quality of their product, better target their marketing efforts, and more effectively market/sell. The workshop will review the basic compost testing parameters, their importance and relevance to the soil and plants (interpretation), and the appropriate test ranges for particular applications and end users. Methods for adjusting specific compost characteristics will also be discussed. Time will also allow for composters to have a private review of their test results by the instructor.

The second half of the workshop will teach composters how to develop (and construct) legal compost labels..providing the do’s and don’ts depending on whether it will be sold as a soil amendment or fertilizer. New trends in labeling, both positive and negative, will also be discussed, as will the typical list of allowable compost claims (product benefits) and labeling for sale in multiple states. Time will also allow for composters to have a
private (preliminary) review of their current labels by the instructor.

The In-depth Food Waste Recycling Workshop for the Restaurant and Supermarket Industries: The Keys to Success for the Generator and Hauler

YEOMAN

This workshop will address the many challenges in starting and maintaining a successful food waste recycling program within an industry with long tradition, thin profit margins and sometimes a resistant labor force. We will cover from start to finish the road to success and the work it takes to reach recycling goals never thought possible within the restaurant and supermarket industries. The speaker will go over the many audits (dumpster diving) conducted by him to weigh, measure, characterize and understand the waste stream in order to better serve the generator, hauler and composter.

Having the right partner goes a long way in contributing to the success of any recycling program and with food waste recycling it is imperative. At this workshop we will focus on designing the right type of program to fit not only the generator but also the partners: the hauler and composter. The talk will address the training that goes into initiating the program’s start; discussions on the usage of proper signage; equipment choices for the generator; and on going compliance and maintenance issues. We will address and discuss the issues that face the hauler in transporting this material and other related waste management issues.

The focus of the workshop will be primarily on the restaurant and supermarket industry; during the session we will also cover program development for other food-related industries such as institutional and industrial food waste generators.

Vermicomposting Food Residuals at Restaurants, Businesses and Institutions

SENATE

Businesses and institutions may save costs by using earthworms to convert “waste” into a valuable soil amendment. This workshop will provide the tools you need to start or expand a vermicomposting program at your institution or business. You will learn about vermicomposting, the types of vermi-systems being used, and details about how vermicomposting is saving money at restaurants, schools, universities, prisons, military bases, and businesses. You will also understand how vermicompost and vermi-tea can be used, and their effects on plant growth and disease suppression.

Zero Waste and Organics Collection Training for Special Event Coordinators: Planning and Implementation

YEOMAN

Zero Waste Planning and implementation for Special Events is a very important process as it serves as a demonstration project for public education.  This workshop will provided special event planners with the steps and tools necessary for a successful zero waste event. It will encompass pre event planning, advertisement, waste prevention, compostable food service ware /compostable liners education, signage and use of “zero waste ambassadors”.

Attendees of this workshop will obtain a certificate of completion

Tour of Local Composting Facilities

Climb on board to see some very different composting facilities!
• C & C Peat Windrow Composting and Potting Soil Production
C&C is a premium potting media producer out of Okahumpka, FL. C&C Peat is family owned and operated celebrating our 30th year of dedicated service. C&C Peat operates a 20 acre composting and processing center that produces the highest quality Class AA Compost in the State. They are currently composting 150,000 cubic yards per year of materials. For more info: http://ccpeat.com/index.html
• Vista Park Organics Recycling, operated by Waste Management
The VISTA Organics Recycling facility is a joint venture of the Garick Company and Waste Management. The In-vessel composting facility can process up to 30,000 tons per year of mixed source-separated organics on a 12 acre site. VISTA uses an ECS-designed aerated static pile composting method with an in slab negative air system that pulls air out through biofilters to eliminate odors and VOC’s. The feedstocks include food waste and woody yard debris.
• Lunch is included, sponsored by Publix Markets

“Business Behind the Magic” Behind-the-Scenes Tour of Walt Disney World

In addition to creating a magical environment for Guests from around the world, Walt and Roy Disney mastered the art of business. In the end, they determined that leadership excellence, people management, quality service, brand loyalty and creativity & innovation were the five key principles that would forge an invaluable formula for success. Not only have these time-tested business lessons helped establish Disney as one of the world’s leading brands, but thousands of organizations around the world have also successfully adapted these principles in their own pursuit
of excellence.

Now you have the unforgettable opportunity to go behind-the-scenes and experience time-tested Disney business philosophies at one of the leading business operations in the world firsthand.

This 3.5-hour tour features the five core principles taught by Disney Institute and shows how they come to life each day at the Walt Disney World® Resort for Cast Members and Guests. You will explore the following locations:

• Textile Services: Visit a state-of-the-art laundry facility, one of the largest in theworld, to see how committed, responsible, inspiring leaders are able to motivate a team to achieve amazing results. (Highlights from Disney’s Approach to Leadership Excellence and Creativity & Innovation)
• Epcot® Cast Services: Experience the “Backstage” area from a Cast Member perspective. See how the Walt Disney World® Resort creates a supportive environment for the Cast Members as they prepare to go on stage. Discover the important role backstage areas play increating a caring environment. (Highlights from Disney’s Approach to People Management and Creativity & Innovation)
• Walt Disney World® Resort Nursery and Tree Farm: Go behind-the-scenes to see how Disney horticulturists create world-famous topiaries. Examine Disney leadership strategies and discover the benefits of involving people and positive partnering among teams. (Highlights from Disney’s Approach to Leadership Excellence)
• The “Utilidor” System: Journey beneath the Magic Kingdom® Park to visit support systems designed to improve the experiences of Cast Members and Guests alike. Discover how we use simple tools to engage and empower Cast Members to create lasting customer relationships that drive repeat business and brand loyalty. (Highlights from Disney’s Approach to Brand Loyalty and Creativity & Innovation)

Note: You must be 16 or older to participate in this tour.