Master Composter Training  

In 1993, the Boulder County Master Composter Training Program was established to help residents reduce the amount of organic waste sent to landfills, and to discover the many benefits of recycling that waste in their yards and gardens. Another program goal was to significantly expand the availability of practical home composting education for Boulder County residents. Trained Master Composters help make responsible home composting education a common practice by educating Boulder County residents that the organic wastes they generate at home are a resource best taken care of at home.

In exchange for 20 hours of training in composting, waste management and public outreach, Master Composters commit to 20 hours of community service. Master Composters accomplish these payback hours by teaching composting to Boulder County residents through a broad assortment of outreach opportunities.

Examples of outreach and payback options are:

• Staffing information booths at environmental events, farmer's markets, local fairs/festivals, and garden centers.
• Staffing and helping to maintain the Composting Demonstration Sites.
• Demonstrating composting (including vermicomposting) at Boulder County schools.
• Researching answers to composting questions from the Colorado State University Cooperative Extension - Boulder County office.
• Educating buyers about composting and bins at local community compost bin sale events.
• Speaking at Boulder County neighborhood associations, garden and other civic groups.

Over 300 Boulder County residents have taken the Master Composter training, educating thousands of people on the benefits of composting.