This Master Composter class is offered by Project Grow through the Ann Arbor Public Schools Rec & Ed program. Class registration is available online at http://reced.aaps.k12.mi.us, click on enroll today, then search “Master Composter” and the class will appear in the results. This is a once a year class to be held in the fall. The AAPS Rec & Ed courses will be posted online starting late August.
7 weeks – Tuesdays, Sept. 30 to Nov. 11, 2014 (FEE: $49)
6:00 PM – 8:30 PM at Pioneer High School, Room E107. Provides seven 2.5-hour classes. Michigan Master Composter course manual is provided online. Two classes will be held off-site: one at Project Grow’s Compost Education Center, at Leslie Science & Nature Center; and another class at the City of Ann Arbor’s Municipal Compost Center.
Discover the basics of home composting in this fun class taught by Master Composters and local landscape and composting professionals eager to share their experience with you. After attending this course, passing the open book exam, and clocking 10 hours of hands-on community volunteer experience, you will become a certified Washtenaw County Master Composter. Fee includes online access to the Michigan Master Composter manual and handouts. This program is coordinated by Project Grow and is designed for the general public, for Master Gardeners to continue their organic gardening education, and as a follow-up to the Project Grow’s Organic Gardener Certificate series.
*9/30 - Class overview, Composting basics, types of bins (Nancy Stone & Lisa Perschke, Master Composters)
*10/7 - Yard Waste Reduction Instructor – (Chris Simmons, Master Composter, City of Ypsilanti)
*10/14 - Tour of municipal composting operations, home soil testing, hot composting, 4150 Platt Road, Ann Arbor. Will meet outside the Compost Center access road and carpool through the site operated by WeCare Organics, followed by a classroom segment in the city’s recycling plant MRF Education Center. Distribute/discuss open book exam. (Chris Simmons, Nancy Stone, Joet Reoma, Master Composters)
*10/21 - Vermiculture, worm bins, special composting, compost teas (Jesse Raudenbush of Starr Valley Farms)
*10/28 - Soils (Erica Kempter of Nature and Nurture)
*11/4 - Worm bin workshop and site tour (held at Project Grow's Compost Education Center at the Leslie Science and Nature Center, 1831 Traver Road, Ann Arbor. Note: interested students may purchase a worm bin take-home kit for $30 with 1000 red worms, 12-gallon container and worm bedding. (Jesse Raudenbush and Joet Reoma of Compost Educational Center)
*11/11 - Guest presenters with community composting opportunities, Take-Home Exam corrected in-class; share ideas for volunteer projects, set date and topic/speaker for spring graduation pizza dinner (Lisa Perschke, Advanced Master Composter & Advanced Master Gardener with guest presenters)
