Become a Master Composter

PRESS RELEASE

Want to Make a Difference? Become a Master Composter!

Issue date: June 16, 2010

Don’t miss this unique opportunity to learn everything you need to know about home composting and how to help people reduce waste. Cork County Council are looking for a few dedicated volunteers throughout the county to take part in an EPA sponsored master composter programme. The aim of the programme is to develop a base of community volunteers to promote the prevention of food and garden waste at home as well as encourage home composting. The programme is looking for people who have an interest in protecting our environment, who want to make a differnce in their community and who want to meet like minded people and have fun.

Composting is the natural breakdown of garden and food materials into humus – a dark, crumbly and earthy smelling material that can be used beneficially in our garden. Composting at home makes sense! Anyone can reap a heap of benefits, including saving money through the prevention of waste, conservation of resources and protection of our local environment.

International composting expert, Craig Benton, known as Dr. Compost, will lead four evening workshops and three field days throughout the months of July and September. Volunteers will be trained in alls aspects of composting from its biology to the practical building and operation of a range of composting systems. The first of the evening workshops will be held in Mallow on Thursday July 8th and practical hands-on field days will be held at the community allotments on the south side of town on two Saturdays in July.

The practical field days will involve the building of a compost demonstration site for the community to use for its own materials and for others within county to see what’s possible for their community and at home. The following all day workshop focuses on how to start and operate a variety of composting sytems including hot turning systems, cold systems, worm bins, grasscycling and mulching. The programme will end with a grand opening of the site by the volunteers in early September in conjunciton with the allotment’s harvest festival. Upon completion of the training, volunteers receive a certificate of training and a free compost bin and 5 prong composting fork.

Full details of the programme and timetable are available from Margaret Desmond, RAPID; Mobile 086 380 5442. Places are limited, if you are interested in signing up for this new and exciting programme, please call Margaret at 086 380 5442.