The 15th Mid-Atlantic Better Composting School

October 22-24, 2008
Ramada Hotel
7253 Parkway Drive
Hanover, MD
(410) 712-4300

Composting and Compost Standards

Composting is becoming the method of choice for converting organic waste into a marketable product "Commercial Compost."  If horticultural industries and home gardeners are to accept commercial compost as they do fertilizers, processed animal manures and peatmoss, it must be produced under controlled conditions employing methods deemed acceptable by the industry.  Horticultural industries include nurseries, greenhouses, landscape contractors, garden centers, and landscape maintenance companies. Such service-providers are major users of organic matter and fertilizers.

Since commercial compost can be manufactured from a variety of waste materials, a variety of standards have been established based on end uses.  Managers of composting facilities must be familiar with these standards and with the waste materials and composting systems that can best produce the desired products.  Composting to produce a product that is consistent in quality will require good management and quality control. 

School participants will learn the basics of making good compost.  They will tour commercial operations.  They will perform product sampling and learn simple procedures for compost testing.  Participants will become better composters.

Purpose - To train operators of compost facilities in the science of composting.

Who Should Attend - Composting plant operators, managers and other interested persons.

Enrollment Limitations - Enrollment will be limited to the first 25 who enroll with the required registration fee.

Course of Instruction - School starts promptly at 8 a.m. October 22 and ends at 4 p.m. October 24.

Registration Fee - $450 for the three-day school if received by October 6, 2008.  Registration after October 6, 2008 will be $475.  The registration fee includes handout materials, second-day tour, all breaks, three lunches, first night's dinner, facility rental and other administrative costs.

Print and complete the registration form, or download the brochure in pdf.

Continuing Education Units - Continuing Education Units (CEUs) will be provided for successful completion of this school through the University of Maryland University College

Lodging - A block of rooms has been reserved at the Ramada Hotel, $89/night for single or double occupancy plus tax.  Participants are responsible for making their own lodging reservations.  A block of rooms will be reserved at the above price until October 6, 2008.  Call the hotel directly at (410) 712-7171.

Precise directions will be sent with registration confirmation.  (The Ramada Hotel will have available transportation to and from the Baltimore Washington International Airport.)

Schedule

     October 22

• Introduction
• Biology of Composting
• Processes and Equipment
• Site Selection
• Feed Stocks and Mixes
• Composting Mortalities
• Processes and Odor Control
• Computer Aided Recipe Making

     October 23

Tour of composting facilities.  Students will collect compost samples for laboratory study.

     October 24

• Health and Safety Issues
• Compost Quaity and Standards
• Laboratory Procedures for Compost Quality
• Compost Utilization
• Marketing and Economics

School Faculty

JENNIFER G. BECKER, Ph.D. - Dr. Becker, Associate Professor & Extension Specialist at the University of Maryland in the Environmental Science & Technology Dept., specializes in the management of manure, biosolids, animal processing by-products, and other residuals derived from agricultural, industrial, and municipal activities. In particular, her work emphasizes biological treatment and product recovery and recycling.

GREGORY K. EVANYLO, Ph.D. – Dr. Evanylo, Professor & Extension Specialist at VA Tech. in the Department of Crop & Soil Environmental Sciences, specializes in the utilization of biosolids, manure, and other residuals derived from agricultural, industrial, and municipal activities. His work emphasizes the availability, transport, and effects of nutrients, trace elements, and organic matter in such residuals on plant health, soil properties, and water quality.

JACTONE AROGO OGEJO, Ph.D., P.E. – Dr. Arogo Assistant Professor & Extension Specialist at Virginia Tech. in the Biological Systems Engineering Dept., specializes in the management of manure and other organic residuals derived from agricultural and industrial operations. His work emphasizes treatment and product recovery from organic residues as well as agricultural air quality.

ROBERT E. GRAVES, Ph.D., P.E. – Dr. Graves, Professor at Pennsylvania State in the Department of Agricultural & Biological Engineering, specializes in manure and organic waste handling, processing, storage and utilization and design, and management of animal housing and production systems especially dairy. In the 1980’s he initiated efforts to encourage cooperation between municipalities and farmers in handling leaf and yard waste.

GARY K. FELTON, Ph.D.  Dr. Felton, Associate Professor  & Extension Specialist at the University of Maryland in the Environmental Science & Technology Dept., specializes in the fate and transport of nutrients and on-farm applications of technology.  In particular, his work has focused on poultry litter application, co-composting poultry litter and other wastes, and nutrient fate and transport from poultry litter stockpiles

Past Schools -

The 14th Mid-Atlantic Better Composting School (presentations available for download)

For additional information call (301) 405-1198 or email Tina Scites

*The Better Composting School is an activity of the Mid-Atlantic Regional Water Program.  The funds raised will be administered by the University of Maryland Foundation, Inc. for the benefit of the Better Composting School.

The USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer

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Please direct questions and comments about this page to Jake Vandevort

Page Last Updated On: June 12, 2008