URBANA, Ill. — From reducing waste to enriching soil, composting plays a vital role in creating sustainable communities. This spring, learn to be a composting leader with University of Illinois Extension's Compost Ambassador program.
The five-week training program, which began in Cook, Lake, and McHenry counties in 2022 and has since expanded to central Illinois, returns with an enhanced hybrid curriculum designed to create knowledgeable home and community composters and provide community education. Virtual sessions run on Wednesdays from 6 to 8 p.m., beginning April 2.
"Composting is a practical way for everyone to make a positive environmental impact right in their own backyard," says Gemini Bhalsod, Extension horticulture educator. "Our ambassadors learn the science of composting and become advocates for sustainable practices in their communities."
Participants will explore composting fundamentals, home systems, scientific principles, quality testing, and community engagement through interactive online sessions and hands-on activities. The program includes access to Learn @ Extension's virtual classroom for supplemental materials and peer connections.
The training culminates in demonstration workshops provided at three different locations: Prairie State College, University of Illinois Student Farm, and University of Illinois Extension’s Lake County Office, where local participants will build compost piles, explore different systems, and connect with fellow composting enthusiasts. Lunch is provided.
The course fee is $40, and registration is required. Participants can register at go.illinois.edu/CompostLeader. If you need reasonable accommodation to participate in this program, please contact Alex Landberg at landberg@illinois.edu.
University of Illinois Extension develops educational programs, extends knowledge, and builds partnerships to support people, communities, and their environments as part of the state's land-grant institution. Extension serves as the leading public outreach effort for University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences in all 102 Illinois counties through a network of 27 multi-county units and over 700 staff statewide. Extension’s mission is responsive to eight strategic priorities — community, economy, environment, food and agriculture, health, partnerships, technology and discovery, and workforce excellence — that are served through six program areas — 4-H youth development, agriculture and agribusiness, community and economic development, family and consumer science, integrated health disparities, and natural resources, environment, and energy.