Learn composting management techniques that expand beyond your backyard bin. From basics to troubleshooting, siting to vector control, and regulatory considerations to soil benefits, this course will address all your questions about scaling up your compost efforts at your ranch, farm, or community garden. This course will combine lectures, hands-on training, and weekly field trips to operational composting facilities.
Composting on your farm, ranch, or large property is an ideal way to manage crop residues, manures, and other organic waste while creating a stellar soil amendment. Join us at the beautiful Park Horse Project for this three-week course. We will address the unique strategies, challenges, and opportunities that arise through medium-scale composting.
BEFORE REGISTERING, please enter your address here to check your residency. You can select the County of San Diego Residents ticket option ONLY if your jurisdiction boundary result is "S.D. COUNTY." All others must select the waitlist option.
Course Fee: $25*
Course Schedule:
Saturday, March 6th, 2027: 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. at Park Horse Project, field trip TBD
Saturday, March 13th, 2027: 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. at Park Horse Project, field trip TBD
Saturday, March 20th, 2027: 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. at Park Horse Project, 1-2 p.m. tour of Miramar Greenery
In this course, we'll cover the following topics
- Compost basics, e.g. recipe considerations, feedstocks, and bulk density
- Composting/water saving benefits
- Neighbor-friendly composting, best management practices, scaled to farms
- Compost management, e.g. site considerations, odor, dust, and rodent/vector control
- What is permissible on farms without permits
Residents of unincorporated County of San Diego will receive preferential registration. All others will be placed on a waitlist and apprised of space available 1-2 weeks before the start of the course.
Please note: This course does not address typical residential composting or large-scale commercial composting. It is intended for those mid-sized systems that fall in between, particularly horse ranches and small farms.
*If this course fee presents a financial hardship, it may be waived upon request. Please contact Sarah Van Horn at [email protected] before registering to inquire.
