Education in Action
The Soil Builders workshops were developed to provide compost-related eco-literacy for Lake Champlain Basin decision-makers, professionals and advocates.
Concerns about elevated phosphorous levels in the Lake Champlain Basin have contributed to confusion about when and how to use compost. There’s a knowledge gap about specific benefits from using compost and how to modify current farming, site engineering and landscaping practices to produce those benefits.
The different Soil Builders modules will help you:
Project Partners:
Athena Lee Bradley, Compost Consultant, CAV Board Member
Mark Companion, Lake Champlain Sea Grant
Chuck Duprey, Naturcycle
Brian Jerose, Agrilab Technologies Inc., CAV Board Member
Deb Neher, UVM
Elly Ventura, Lamoille Regional Solid Waste Management District, CAV Board Member
This project has been funded wholly by the United States Environmental Protection Agency under assistance agreement (LC00A00605) to New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission in partnership with the Lake Champlain Basin Program.
In this first Soil Builders Module, Marc Companion (Lake Champlain Sea Grant) and Athena Lee Bradley (Organics Consultant) explore the connections between soil health and water quality. (55:51)
Introduction (Natasha Duarte): 0-3:56
Stormwater, Healthy Ecosystems & Soil (Marc Companion): 3:56-19:16
Compost, Soil Health & Water Quality (Athena Lee Bradley): 19:16-34:45
Compost-based Best Management Practices (Natasha Duarte): 34:45-38:16
Q&A: 38:16-55:51
Slide deck from webinar (pdf)
Resources for Module 1
Soil Health: Soil Physical Properties video from Penn State Extension (shown during the webinar)
In this pre-recorded second module of the Soil Builders program, Elly Ventura (Lamoille Regional Solid Waste Management District) and Natasha Duarte (Composting Association of Vermont) talk about the drivers for clean water & healthy soils, and how compost can support these goals. (22:22)
Introduction (Natasha Duarte) 0-3:00
Background (Elly Ventura) 3:00-11:10
Vermont Initiatives (Natasha Duarte) 11:10-17:15
The Compost Connection (Elly Ventura) 17:15-22:35
Conclusion (Natasha Duarte) 22:35-23:21
Resources for Module 2
Recycling, Waste Characterization, Food Waste:
Food Waste:
Organics Diversion/Composting:
Vermont Clean Water Initiative/Act 64
In the third Soil Builders Module, Chuck Duprey (Naturcycle) and Brian Jerose (Agrilab Technologies Inc.) talk about best management practices (BPMs) for using compost in landscaping and athletic fields, direct erosion control in construction or roadside projects, low nutrient applications, and agriculture. (1:44:34)
Introduction to the Soil Builders program (Natasha Duarte): 0-2:30
Introduction to BMPs for compost/compost-based products (Chuck Duprey): 2:30-9:05
BMPs in Landscaping and Athletic Fields (Chuck Duprey): 9:05-42:15
BMPs for Erosion Control (Chuck Duprey): 42:15-1:04:30
BMPs for Low Nutrient Applications (Chuck Duprey): 1:04:30-1:16:20
BMPs for Agricultural Applications (Brian Jerose): 1:16:20-1:34:07
Wrap up and Q&A (Natasha Duarte): 1:34:07-1:44:35
Module 3a: Compost-Based Best Management Practices for Erosion Prevention & Sediment Control
Presented during the 2021 Vermont Organics Recycling Summit (1:19:46)
Chuck Duprey was unable to join us during this session, so we recorded a short video of him walking us through the NY Erosion Control Specification.
Shared as a supplement to the 2021 Vermont Organics Recycling Summit presentation (7:54)
Building on the March 23rd CAV Soil Builders webinar with Chuck Duprey (Naturcycle) and Brian Jerose (Agrilab Technologies Inc.), we take a deeper dive into compost-based Best Management Practices (BMP) for erosion prevention and sediment control. This module provides a brief overview of the practices, and then get deeper into application of the BMPS with an extended Q&A with an expert panel. In addition to the recording of the Soil Builders BMP module, you can also check out the Compost Standards & Specifications session from two sessions at previous Vermont Organics Recycling Summits (VORS): VORS 2020 and sessions M4 and A4 from VORS 2019.
Natasha Duarte, Introduction to the Soil Builders program starts at 3: 32
CAV Jamaica Project & Discussion, starts at 14:44
More Case Studies & Discussion with Jack Eaton, starts at 23:57
Phosphorus Concerns & Discussion with Mike Carignan, starts at 46:44
Incorporating compost into projects & discussion with Heather Voisin, starts at 1:00:06
Compost Special Specification discussed by Chuck Duprey in second video
Module 3.b Compost-Based Best Management Practices for Landscape Architects
In this Module, Chuck Duprey (Naturcycle) presents specifications and best management practices for landscape architects.
Introduction to Soil Builders Program (Natasha Duarte): 0-3:39
Specifications and best management practices for landscape architects (Chuck Duprey): 3:39-1:01:30
Q&A: 1:01-30-1:05:02
Module 3.c: Healthy Soils, Healthy Lawns
In this Module, Kris Stepenuck (UVM, Lake Champlain Sea Grant) and Jack Eaton (Filtrexx) talk about how lawn care can impact water quality in the Lake Champlain Basin; why and how to test your soil, and what the results mean'; and when, how and why to topdress lawns with compost.
Introduction to Soil Builders Program (Natasha Duarte): 0-4:07
Lawn to Lake program, including Raise the Blade and Don’t “P” on Your Lawn (Kris Stepenuck): 4:07-22:11
Soil testing, top dressing and other healthy lawn tips (Jack Eaton): 22:11-50:32
Discussion: 50:32-1:06:07
Check out Kris’ blog about Mo, the electric mower!
Module 3.d: Compost for Soil Function & Disease Suppression
In this webinar, with Deb Neher from the Plant and Soil Science Department at UVM, you'll learn how to manage water infiltration and nutrient availability with compost, why organic matter in compost improves aggregate structure and reduces erosion, and hear about examples of using compost to manage soil borne pathogens of plants.
Introduction to Soil Builders Program (Natasha Duarte): 0-2:56
Compost for Soil Function & Disease Suppression (Deb Neher): 2:56-1:06:13
Q&A: 1:06:13-1:25:50
Resources:
The Composting Handbook, Eds. Robert Rynk, Ginny Black, Jane Gilbert, Johannes Biala, Jean Bonhotal, Mary Schwarz & Leslie Cooperband (2021); Neher, D.A. and Hoitink, H.A. 2021. Compost use for plant disease suppression. Chapter 17
Three books by Jeff Lowenfels: Teaming with Microbes: Teaming with Nutrients; Teaming with Fungi
Module 3.e: Ferment on the Farm
The Soil Builders Program hand the opportunity to co-sponsor an in-person event, with the Franklin County Natural Resources Conservation District, the Land Care Cooperative, and the Choiniere Family Farm.
It was great to get out and see people in person, while learning how to brew microorganisms for no-turn compost and reduced inputs on the farm.
A short write up will be posted soon!
Module 4: Education in Action - What YOU can do to protect the Lake Champlain Basin
More about Natural Resources Conservation Districts in Vermont
Vermont’s 14 Natural Resources Conservation Districts (NRCDs) act as local facilitators linking and providing landowners and agricultural producers with technical, financial, and educational assistance for working with state and federal programs that can help them meet with management and conservation objectives. NRCDs coordinate agricultural and natural resource management projects, and conduct workshops providing educational information on many related topics. NRCD assistance is available to all landowners at no cost.
Find your local Natural Resources Conservation District here to learn more and receive assistance
Follow them on social media:
Learn about their recent work
Watch the documentary: A Day in the Life of a Natural Resource Conservation District by Peter Danforth of Lamoille County NRCD
This Module, organized in partnership Friends of Northern Lake Champlain and Franklin County Natural Resources Conservation District, features presentations from Deb Neher (UVM) and Brian Jerose (Agrilab Technologies Inc.).
Listen in as we explore the connections between soil health and water quality, and best management practices for erosion control and revegetation in yards, fields, on banks and hillsides, and in road-side ditches.
Introduction to Soil Builders Program (Natasha Duarte): 0-5:06
Linkages between soil health and water quality (Deb Neher): 5:06-21:13
Impacts of land use on watershed function and what can be done (Brian Jerose): 21:13-1:02:15
Comments from Kent Henderson and Lauren Weston: 1:02:15-1:06:10
Discussion: 1:06:10-1:29:10
Learn more about watershed groups in Vermont
Soil Builders Education in Action - Next Steps
Andrew Carpenter referenced the below video when discussing compost sampling protocols:
Throughout the Soil Builders program, we've been talking about the connections between compost, soil health, and water quality; different kinds of compost; and best management practices based on different applications.
Now that we know there are different composts for different "jobs" - where do we source the compost and engineered soils needed? Are they available locally? Regionally?
Joined by Mike Carignan or Agresource, Andrew Carpenter of Northern Tilth, Chuck Duprey of Naturcycle and Heather Voisin on VTrans, we
recapped of Soil Builders program,
provided an overview of what types of compost & compost-based products are available and how to test material, from the source & in the field, and
began to identify the missing piece when it comes to increasing use of compost & compost-based products
Join us on Tuesday, May 3rd, at 10am as we continue the conversation!at the Vermont Organics Recycling Summit!