INSIDE

Master recycler/composter
series starts in March

Help promote a sustainable environment in Whatcom County, and learn about leaving a softer footprint in the 2008 Master Recycler/Compost series beginning March 19.

Healthy soils not only provide our food, but are inhabited by millions of microbes and microflora which filter our water, convert dead matter to nutrients for plant life, clean up pollutants and store large amounts of carbon – essential for our atmosphere.

Students can learn how to build better soils through composting, get worms to work for you, and determine the best ways to recycle both organic and non-organic waste.

The series will also provide an introduction to alternative, renewable energy sources and other sustainable efforts. Field trips take gardeners wanting to increase their knowledge to state-of-the-art composting and recycling facilities, and amazing green businesses right here in Whatcom County.

The series meets for seven weeks on Wednesday evenings 6:45 to 9 p.m., from March 19 to April 30. Field trips will be on five Saturday mornings.

Series topics include:
• It’s more than Dirt! Life Below the Ground
• The Dirt on Compost
• Alternative Energy Choices
• Letting Worms Work for YOU!
• Reuse and Recycle
• Rain Gardens – using Soils & Plantings to Protect Water
• Weeds and Compost
• “Food-Plus” – Whatcom’s organic composting program
• A Boatload of Reasons to Keep Biodiesel Afloat
• Soils & Composts – diagnosing your own

Field trips scheduled at the following:
• Ryzex (a zero waste company)
• Northwest Recyclers
• Disposal of Toxics
• Vehicle Research Institute at WWU
• Smit Dairy Compost
• VanderHaak Dairy Biogas Anaerobic
Manure Digester
• Green Earth Technologies (Gore-Tex
compost site – receives our Food Plus!)
• Mt. Baker School system
• Ostrom Mushroom Farm

Join up to learn more about compost and recycling, and amazing endeavors going on in our county!

Space is limited, register soon! For more information, contact the WSU Whatcom County Extension office: 676-6736 or joycej2wsu.edu.