The Joy of Composting

A free workshop aimed at small to mid-sized farms and gardening operations will be held Wednesday, October 14 to teach the finer points of composting.

Coordinated by NCLE (the National Centre for Livestock and the Environment), the workshop is ideal for market gardeners, vegetable growers, community garden coordinators and gardeners and mixed farm operators.

Organizer Christine Rawluk says they are bringing together some of the province’s top experts on composting to discuss everything from the ABCs of composting to common questions on safety and quality.

“Composting is part science and part art – kind of like baking,” says Rawluk. “Having the right ingredients for the recipe is important, but equally important for the final product is what you do with those ingredients. The workshop will cover both the ingredients and the process.”

Along with the ins and outs of composting, participants will see the benefits of adding manure-based compost to soil. “The workshop takes place at Almost Urban Vegetables, a small family farm just south of the perimeter. Owners Bruce and Marilyn will share what they’ve learned from including compost as part of their approach to growing local food sustainably.”

Interactive workstations include:

• Making compost from start to finish – Recipes, tools and steps for success
• There’s more than one way to compost – Composting options
• Why isn’t my compost pile heating up? – Trouble shooting
• But is it compost … and is it safe? – Understanding compost quality criteria
• Using compost for growing food – Rewards and risks
• Compost + soil … can you see the benefits?
• Compost quiz … PRIZES for correct answers!

Presenters include:

• Bruce Berry and Marilyn Firth, Almost Urban Vegetables
• Mario Tenuta, Soil Ecologist, University of Manitoba
• Trevor Fraser, National Centre for Livestock and the Environment
• Jolene Rutter, Green Manitoba
• Van Doan, Manitoba Agriculture Food and Rural Development

Mid-Scale Composting Hands-on Workshop
Wednesday, October 14
1:00 pm – 3:30 pm.
3893 Pembina Highway, Almost Urban Vegetables
St. Norbert, Manitoba

The workshop is free but advance registration is required as a minimum number of registrants is required to run the workshop. Email ncle_coordinator [at] umanitoba [dot] ca to register.

Check out the NCLE News and Events page for other great seminars and workshops.

Crystal Jorgenson