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2023 is here, and I'm still the same as I have always been. What is different is the US Composting Council (USCC) and the Larger Compost Industry. We are seeing an explosive growth in the number of compost facilities being brought online or in the planning stages of development. We see this in a multitude of ways. Firstly, the need for education and training is immense. The Compost Research and Education Foundation (CREF), for which I have been the Executive Director until recently, operates approximately half a dozen Compost Operations Training Courses each year, and even this is not enough to meet demand. In order to keep up with the growing need for training, the USCC and CREF launched COMPOST UNIVERSITY (CompostU). This platform has broadened the reach of our training capabilities, allowing individuals to learn at their own pace on their own time. As a result of the growth in the industry, CREF and USCC can no longer share an Executive Director. As of November, Diane Hazard has taken over the mantle of Executive Director for CREF. I am confident that, with her leadership, the foundation will continue to grow and prosper.
The USCC is thrilled to announce that Matt Ball will be joining the USCC staff as director of industry development. Matt has been the compost facility operator at the North Carolina State University Compost Facility and Research Cooperative, the facility that processes all food waste collected at the university as well as many other organics streams generated on campus. In addition to working at NCSU, Matt founded a soil ecology laboratory and has extensive knowledge of soil biology. With prior experience on organic farms and GIS management, Matt brings a wealth of practical knowledge of compost and compost manufacturing to the Council. He will serve as the staff liaison for the STA Advisory Committee (STAAC) & Market Development Committee (MDC). Matt will be in charge of expanding composting infrastructure, the use of compost, including developing the growing on-farm sector, and composting best practices. Matt will also oversee the business growth of the USCC’s Seal of Testing Program, focusing on market research and analysis and product development, and he will contribute to organizing the Annual Equipment Demonstration Day (demo day) at COMPOST2024 and beyond. We are excited to introduce Matt to the community at COMPOST2023.
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Thanks to your participation, we will be presenting member-centric core values developed by the USCC Board of Directors this quarter. We received 61 replies to our December request for comment on the draft values the Board’s Core Values subcommittee developed.
Thanks to everyone who participated. We are excited to unveil these soon!
We’re curious, have you thought about your composting career path? Professional development hours, continuing education, certifications—these are just some of the things to consider when looking to further your career.
The USCC provides you the tools to invest in professional development through three major areas: Certifications, Compost University, and the soon to be launched USCC Career Center. Opportunities for professional development include:
- Level-up your credentials and apply to be a Certified Compost Operations Manager (CCOM™ or Certified Composting Professional (CCP™). Certification gives you recognition for your achievement, advances your career, demonstrates your knowledge and increases professionalism in the industry.
There are only two weeks left to the world’s largest composting event, USCC’s Annual Conference, COMPOST2023. We, the Seal of Testing Assurance–STA crew, are all getting geared up to meet you.
Over 230 compost products across the nation got certified under the STA program and are making good profits. There is no other compost testing program available to compost producers or compost buyers that can give you the type of information that STA program provides. We are here to help you sell more compost through consistent national lab standards, increased attention to the characteristics of your product, marketing tools, and ultimately increased customer confidence. Learn more about the program and its benefits in person at the conference.
Leadership of USCC’s 15 chapters will gather on Thursday, Jan. 26 in Ontario, CA for the COMPOST2023 Chapter Training and Chapter Networking Soiree, sponsored by SCS Engineers, a USCC member who has had many employees involved in Chapter leadership. Click the button below to learn more about what will be covered at the event.
USCC members from the State of Florida have affiliated with the US Composting Council as an official chapter to promote the compost manufacturing industry, it was announced today.
The Florida Composting Council (FLCC) has been organized by a group of USCC members working in the consulting, non-profit, public education and legal fields. These members are working towards a more robust organics and food waste recycling industry in the state. Officially, FLCC becomes a chapter through the affiliation of Recycle Florida Today (RFT), Florida’s state recycling organization and premier association educating recycling and environmental professionals throughout Florida from both the public, private and non-profit sectors.
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USCC Young Professionals will be volunteering at Huerta del Valle this year by providing fruit tree pruning assistance at the local community garden on the afternoon of Tuesday, Jan. 24.
Only 10 minutes away from the Ontario Convention Center, Huerta del Valle is a nonprofit grassroots organization working towards a future of local and sustainably produced food.
Participating volunteers will receive a small training on tree pruning, and will break into groups to prune and remove cut branches. With enough volunteers, the USCC Young Professionals will be able to facilitate getting all the trees pruned for Huerta del Valle this year!
Lunch will be provided. To register for the Community Service Event, click here.
Ten finalists were selected to compete for the second round of this year’s installment of the Emerging Composer Competition. The finalists will be answering attendee questions about their posters, showcased at the USCC and CREF Networking Lounge, in the hope of winning one of the following three prizes from our sponsors:
- First place: $2,500, Sponsored by beyondGREEN biotech, Inc.
- Second Place: $2,000, Sponsored by McGill Environmental Systems
- Third Place: $1,500, Sponsored by St. Louis Composting
Conference attendees will play an important role in selecting the top three winners by voting through the COMPOST2023 mobile app. Make sure to head to the Lounge during trade show open hours and scan the QR code on each poster to hear from our finalists and vote for your favorite. The winners will be announced at the Closing Celebration on Thursday, Jan. 26. Check the COMPOST2023 for more information about locations and timing.
Meet the USCC Young Professionals for our annual in-person Happy Hour and Networking Night at the Punch Bowl Social in Victoria Gardens town center on Thursday after the Closing Celebration. Hang out with new friends, enjoy a full-service bar and an evening full of fun surprises. The first 100 attendees will receive a free drink ticket and one raffle entry ticket. The event will begin with a special scavenger hunt with fun raffle prizes courtesy of our awesome sponsors, Republic Services. Join us after COMPOST2023 and enjoy friendly rounds of bowling, ping pong and giant Jenga with colleagues. To RSVP, click the link here.
RRS is excited to announce that it has been named to the Inc. 2022 Best in Business list in the Environmental Issues Category. Inc.’s 3rd annual list recognizes 241 private companies putting purpose ahead of profit.
by: Sydnie Savage
The City of Olathe has launched a new food waste pilot program to convert table scraps into nutrient rich soil.
Instead of dropping food into the garbage to send to the landfill, residents can now drop off their food waste at a collection kiosk at 1100 N Hedge Lane. A photo ID will be required to show proof of residency.
The city has partnered with Missouri Organic Recycling to collect food waste multiple times a week and transport it to their facility in Liberty, Missouri, where the food scraps will be composted.
Rebecca (Becca) Ryals has joined the CREF Board of Trustees for a three-year term, replacing Noura Bakr, who recently stepped down from the Board when her term was completed. Becca is an Associate Professor of Agroecology at the University of California, Merced. Her research program focuses on ecosystem-based climate solutions, particularly in agricultural and sanitation contexts. A major theme of her work is the capture, transformation and beneficial reuse of organic wastes as compost and other organic amendments to increase soil carbon, improve soil health and contribute to a more productive and just food system. The CREF Trustees are happy to welcome Becca and thank Noura for all she did for the Foundation.
The International Compost Awareness Week (ICAW) Committee is looking for more volunteer ICAW Coordinators to help grow th program during 2023. Want to learn more about ICAW and how to get involved?
- Join us at an ICAW breakfast during COMPOST23 on Jan. 25 at 7:00 a.m.
- Sign up for an online ICAW Coordinator training, Feb. 27 at 12:00 p.m. ET
At these events, you can learn what coordinators have done in the past and their plans for this year. To learn more about volunteering or about either of the meetings, contact Beth Simone, bethsimone@compostfoundation.org.
On Feb. 15, applications will be accepted from college students for CREF Compost-Research Scholarships. These $4000 annual scholarships support college students’ compost research projects, and include an invitation to present research findings at the US Composting Council Annual Conference The scholarship is available for undergraduate through PhD students studying at a college or university in the United States. The deadline to apply is April 14. Learn more about this scholarship and see past winning projects here.
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Dec 2022
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CREF is holding a webinar on Addressing Contamination in Food Waste for Composting. Clinton Sander from A1 Organics in Colorado and Kate Kurtz and Becca Fong, from the City of Seattle, will present on the work they have been doing to try to address this increasing problem so many are facing.
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Jan 2023
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Sustainable Spirits at The Optimist on Jan. 19, 2023 for fantastic coffee, wine and beer.
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Jan 2023
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The United States Composting Council (USCC) is excited to have you attend COMPOST2023, our 31st Annual Conference and Tradeshow.
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Jan 2023
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If you are in the market for composting or mulching equipment, if you might be in the market in the future, or even if you just like seeing big machines do their thing, plan to spend Thursday morning with us! Nowhere else can you see the latest equipment from top manufacturers operating side-by-side. We give you plenty of time to visit with the vendors and provide contacts for follow-up conversations.
This event is FREE if you are already registered for COMPOST2023, or only $30 to just come for the day! Fee includes breakfast and lunch.
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