TRAINING

NATIONAL ORGANICS

TRAINING & WORKSHOPS

Below, please find a list of educational institutions and compost related organizations who offer organics training courses and workshops. Events are held throughout the United States.

US COMPOSTING COUNCIL (USCC)

The USCC is a nonprofit professional association committed to the advancement of the composting industry. They offer courses and workshops, downloadable educational materials, and publications through their website. Their Compost Operations Training course is a 40 hour, week long course focusing on the knowledge and skills required to run a successful composting facility. The course is held at various educational institutions throughout the year. Please visit the USCC website for additional Information.

USCC

ORGANICS FACILITY OPERATOR TRAINING

The FORCE Project Team has designed a Florida‐specific training program for compost and yard waste facility operators (e.g., public, private, farmers) or those who plan to compost under the new DEP registration program. The free course has been developed in partnership with SWANA International, while focusing on Florida’s unique climate and organic wastes. Florida specific issues addressed include the physical characteristics of yard trash, vegetative food waste, and the impact of tropical climate on composting operations.

Major topics covered include:

  • Florida Revised Regulations
  • Feedstock Characteristics and Selection
  • Materials Handling
  • Active Composting
  • Post‐Processing, Monitoring & Testing
  • Odor Control
  • Diagnosis & Solutions for Optimal Composting
  • Compost Marketing
  • Community Relations

PDF versions of the FORCE training module presentations are available below for download.

SOLID WASTE ASSOCIATION OF NORTH AMERICA

SWANA has worked in partnership with the USCC to develop a certification program for Compost Program Managers. Educational opportunities include a Compost Program Manager Preparation course. This three day course teaches how to effectively plan, design, and operate a composting facility.

SWANA

FORCE Training Modules

Module 1: Composting in ISWM

Learning Objectives:

  1. Able to define Integrated Solid Waste Management (ISWM)
  2. Able to define “compost” and “composting”
  3. Able to identify role of composting in integrated solid waste management & different scales of composting
  4. Know the basic environmental benefits of composting
MODULE 1

MODULE 2 - COMPOSTING FUNDAMENTALS

Learning Objectives:

  1. Be familiar with the microbes responsible for composting
  2. Understand conditions and impacts of aerobic vs. anaerobic decomposition
  3. Know the five fundamental principles of composting
  4. Know the characteristics and functions of bulking agents
MODULE 2

MODULE 3 - REGULATORY COMPLIANCE

Learning Objectives:

  1. Understand the general framework of Florida’s Chapter 62-709 composting rule
  2. Know key terms and definitions
  3. Learn key requirements for registered facilities handling yard trash, source-separated food waste, and/or manure
  4. Learn key requirements for classification, distribution and use of compost
MODULE 3

MODULE 4 - SITE SELECTION, FACILITY DESIGN & EQUIPMENT SELECTION

Learning Objectives:

  1. Know the characteristics of appropriate sites for food waste (FW) and yard trash (YT) composting
  2. Learn the key components of a well-designed composting facility
  3. Understand the pros and cons of various composting methods
  4. Be familiar with the range of equipment used for food waste and yard trash composting
MODULE 4

MODULE 5 - SOURCES & TYPES OF ORGANIC MATERIALS

Learning Objectives:

  1. Know the types and sources of organics materials that can be handled at registration facilities
  2. Understand the typical physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of these materials
MODULE 5

MODULE 6 - OPERATIONS - RECEIVING, MIXING & WINDROW CONSTRUCTION

Learning Objectives:

  1. Know the desired characteristics for composting
  2. Be familiar with how to select and blend feedstocks to achieve a good mixture for turned windrow composting
MODULE 6

MODULE 7 - OPERATIONS - ACTIVE COMPOSTING

Learning Objectives:

  1. Know the three stages of composting and their function
  2. Understand proper compost monitoring procedures
  3. Be familiar with proper windrow management to optimize composting
  4. Be clear on how to diagnose and correct common problems
MODULE 7

MODULE 8 - OPERATIONS - CURING & POST-PROCESSING

Learning Objectives:

  1. Understand the importance of curing to compost quality
  2. Know the difference between “stability” and “maturity”
  3. Comprehend proper curing procedures
MODULE 8

MODULE 9 - COMPOST QUALITY & TESTING

Learning Objectives:

  1. Be familiar with compost quality parameters needed for regulatory compliance
  2. Understand compost quality parameters needed for marketing
  3. Be aware of United States Composting Council (USCC) programs
MODULE 9

MODULE 10 - COMPOSTING ECONOMIC FUNDAMENTALS

Learning Objectives:

  1. Understand basic business financial principles and terms
  2. Know major revenue sources and expenses of composting
  3. Realize the importance of unit costs for evaluating operations
  4. Be familiar with concept of a pro-forma
MODULE 10

MODULE 11 - COMPOST MARKETING

Learning Objectives:

  1. Know the environmental, soil, and plant benefits of compost
  2. Be familiar with compost’s primary markets
  3. Understand the major steps to develop a compost marketing program
MODULE 11

MODULE 12 - COMMUNITY RELATIONS

Learning Objectives:

  1. Be familiar with proactive measures to minimize public opposition
  2. Understand strategies to manage problems when they occur
MODULE 12