Composting Summit Kicks off on April 29 to Celebrate Healthy Soil and Resilient Communities
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PRESS RELEASE
Montpelier, Vt. – In an effort to bolster composting and reduce waste, the Vermont Organics Recycling Summit (VORS) will bring together industry leaders with learners from April 29 to May 3, 2024. Summit attendees will discuss creative ways to keep food and other organics out of the trash and to transform them into valuable products.
Beginning on Monday, April 29, 2024, the Summit will kick off with in-person and hybrid sessions in Waterbury, Vermont. The remainder of the week will include a series of free virtual sessions through Friday, May 3. VORS is organized by the Composting Association of Vermont (CAV) and the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC).
“Anyone who wants to network or learn more about composting, diverting organics from the trash, or reducing food waste should think about signing up for VORS,” said DEC Commissioner Jason Batchelder. “This year, the Summit will help us explore how keeping organics out of the trash is an important climate solution.”
This year's theme, "Compost… Nature's Climate Champion!", spotlights the many roles of compost in climate change adaptation, including capturing carbon in the soil, enhancing soil health, supporting sustainable agriculture, nurturing biodiversity, and more.
"We have nearly 20 sessions to celebrate the value of compost and how it supports the environment and resilient communities,” said Natasha Duarte, the Director of the CAV. “We're also thrilled to welcome Dr. Sally Brown – a compost, soil health, and climate mitigation expert from the University of Washington – as our keynote speaker."
Learn more and sign up online or contact Natasha Duarte at 802-373-6499 or Info@CompostingVermont.org. If Natasha Duarte is not available, contact Emma Stuhl at 802-622-4325 or Emma.Stuhl@Vermont.gov.
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About the Department of Environmental Conservation
The Department of Environmental Conservation is responsible for protecting Vermont's natural resources and safeguarding human health for the benefit of this and future generations. Visit dec.vermont.gov and follow the Department of Environmental Conservation on Facebook and Instagram.
About the Composting Association of Vermont
CAV was founded in 2002 with the support of the Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund and the Agency of Natural Resources Department of Environmental Conservation Waste Management Division (ANR/DEC) with the purpose and vision to build a thriving composting sector in Vermont. CAV promotes the production and use of compost as a vital link between soil health and sustainable agriculture and communities.
Attendees gather for a plenary session at the 2019 Vermont Organics Recycling Summit at Vermont Technical College in Randolph, Vt; the 2024 summit will convene at the Sally Fox Conference Center in Waterbury. Image credit: Composting Association of Vermont.
Master composter students discuss different community-scale compost systems at the Ludlow Area Community Garden in Ludlow, Vt. Image credit: Composting Association of Vermont.