2012 Master Composter Class

This years Master Composter class will be held at the New London County Extension Center in Norwich. Class will start on June 12th and class size will be limited. Click here to see details in this year's brochure.

Previous Master Composter Classes

The first Master Composter class graduated November 7, 2010, with 9 Master Gardeners completing the program. Key aspects of the program included:
• Accelerated instruction – Students attended evening classes and two Saturday field trips from October 13th to November 7th at the Tolland Extension Center in Vernon. By consolidating instruction over four weeks and offering the program in the evening, the program was available to students whose schedules precluded day classes and also gave them the opportunity to offer their services to the public after only a few short weeks.
• Unique Slate of Speakers – Lecturers included farmers, municipal employees, small businessmen, representatives from governmental agencies, and UConn faculty and staff. In addition to learning about composting itself, students were exposed to the legislative, commercial and environmental challenges and opportunities that Connecticut faces in our communities.
• Field Trips – a program highlight was two field trips, one to the Manchester Public Works Department and the second to Freund’s Farm and Laurelbrook Farm in East Canaan. Seeing firsthand some of the techniques learned in class reinforced students’ knowledge. Students also had a wonderful farm lunch at the Freund’s farm stand and one lucky student won a free composter from the Manchester Public Works Department!
In order to become certified Master Composters, students had to complete two outreach projects by October 1, 2010.; Students completed over 100 volunteer hours and spoke to over 400 people across the state.

The 2011 class was held in Spring 2011 at the Bethel Extension Center, in Fairfield County. Future plans include offering the class at Extension Centers cross the state, including training Master composters to become instructors.

Master Composter Mike Lefebvre spent two weeks at two organic farms in Vietnam as part of Friends for Street Children, which helps people become self-sufficient and in turn help others.

Charlie Tefft organized and led a team effort at Mystic Seaport Garden Days in June. Over a two day period, Master Composter interns discussed composting with visitors to the Seaport, including discussing the composting process, demonstrating different types of composters and handing out factsheets.

Click Here for June 2011 copy of "The Compost Cable" (MC Newsletter)

Click Here for Sept 2011 copy of "The Compost Cable"