Each One Teach One: Organic Waste to Resource Instructor Workshops

This three part workshop will take place over the course of three weekends in May, beginning on the last day of International Compost Awareness Week. Please attend all three weekends if possible. Otherwise, you may choose to only attend one or two days. Space is limited to 30 attendees.

This is an in-depth background on the SB 1383 mandate, definitions and applications of organic waste recycling, landfill and methane implications, recovered organic waste products, composting, compost use and application, soil carbon, soil ecosystem and climate change dynamics. Instructors will be provided relevant curriculum to integrate this knowledge and project-based climate action learning into their classrooms. There will be expert guest speakers and indoor and outdoor learning forums - utilizing the garden, compost, and soil demonstration sites at the Water Conservation Garden (El Cajon, CA).

Suggested donation: $20-50. Donations can be made here:

*Free Registration for Teachers and Instructor. If you are not able to attend all three workshops, you are still encouraged to attend!

Timeframe: Consecutive Saturdays during International Compost Awareness Month - 5/10, 5/17, 5/24 11am-1pm

5/10 11am-1pm WEEK 1: Organic Waste Recycling

• SB 1383: California state law that requires all residents, organizations and schools to recycle organic waste (food scraps, food soiled paper, and yard trimmings).
• What is organic material? What is organic waste? Introduction to organic material soil implications and climate change factors.
• Green bin overview. What happens to our waste once it's put in your green bin and/or green dumpster?
• Landfill background and implications - methane emissions
• Overview: organic waste recycling and climate change
• Participation at your school.

5/17 11am-1pm WEEK 2: Soil Dynamics and Climate Change

• What is soil? What is soil composed of?
• What is soil organic matter?
• What are the environmental benefits of using compost?
• What is soil microbiology and compost microbiology?
• What can be done with organic waste aside from composting (organic waste recycling triangle, animal feed, anaerobic digestion etc.)?
• Compost: ecosystem restoration, water conservation, climate change mitigation, adaptation and resilience.
  
• What is compost processing? What are the benefits of compost processing?

5/24 11am-1pm WEEK 3: Integrating Curriculum

• Review: a take home background/guide on course topics.
• Discuss our roles - how to facilitate organic waste recycling (food scraps, food soiled paper, and landscape materials), decrease contamination, and increase compost use at our schools and in our communities.
• How students can be change agents in their communities.
• Local compost sources/how to start using compost at school facilities.
• Integrate project-based climate change action NGSS and STEM lessons into classrooms (a comprehensive tool kit will be provided to all instructors).