Master Composter Program

BE A CERTIFIED MASTER COMPOSTER!

LEARN — How to build compost piles, how to use compost to improve your garden, the difference between good and bad insects, how worms eat garbage, and much more.

HAVE FUN — Make friends, share a common interest, take gardening and composting tours, join us for potluck dinners.

GIVE BACK — Educate your friends, neighbors, kids, teachers and community on the value of composting and vermicomposting (with worms).

NO FEE — The Program is FREE and includes training, a compost manual, compost books and other materials.

Read Testimonials from Master Composters graduates.

The Master Composter Program is designed to extend composting information to the public through volunteers who have successfully completed a comprehensive training program. This free educational program is made available through the County of San Mateo.

Master Composters agree to give back to the community a minimum of 50 hours of volunteer service in the form of approved educational outreach throughout the County. This can be done in a variety of ways such as giving workshops at schools, community centers, staffing a booth at the County Fair or writing a news release for a paper.

Register now for the 2008 Program! Contact Jacqueline Rosine, Program Coordinator, at (650) 599-1498 or compost@recycleworks.org.

2008 Certification Course Class Schedule & Syllabus
12 Saturday Classes, 2pm - 5pm

Class #1: 03/01/08 Introduction & overview; hands on compost demonstration
Class #2: 03/08/08 Compost: Basic compost lecture, compost pile project building
Class #3: 03/15/08 Compost: Basic compost lecture, project maintenance, discussion
Break for Easter Weekend - NO class 03/22/08
Class #4: 03/29/08 Compost: Soil Food Web lecture, project maintenance, discussion
Class #5: 04/05/08 Compost: Soil Food Web lecture, project maintenance, discussion
Class #6: 04/12/08 Vermicompost: Hands on worm, bin building & lecture
Break for Passover - NO class 04/19/08
Class #7: 04/26/08 Vermicompost: Hands on harvesting, lecture, & project discussion
Class #8: 05/03/08 Compost: Harvesting, use, & compost review
Class #9: 05/10/08 Workshop training, RecycleWorks' recycling lecture, & literature
Optional Class: 05/24/08 Alternate class period for student presentations & review
Class #11: 05/31/08 Sustainable gardening: Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
Class #12: 06/07/08 Student lecture presentations & completion celebration
06/28/08 from 5 - 9 p.m.
Graduation Dinner & Compost Community Celebration
Program includes several optional class field trips to be announced.