International Compost Awareness Week
International Compost Awareness Week (ICAW) is the largest and most comprehensive education initiative of the compost industry. It is celebrated nationwide and in other countries each year during the first full week of May. Started in Canada in 1995, ICAW has continued to grow as more people, businesses, municipalities, schools and organizations are recognizing the importance of composting and the long-term benefits from organics recycling.
The goal of the program is to raise the awareness of the public regarding the benefits of using compost to improve or maintain high quality soil, to grow healthy plants, reduce the use of fertilizer and pesticides, improve water quality and protect the environment. The program includes a poster contest, programs at schools and activities and events promoted through governments, public municipalities and local businesses nationwide.
Composting for Teachers & Students
Helpful Links
The Adventures of Vermi the Worm
Animated, interactive game about vermin-composting.
Agriculture in the Classroom
Established in 1985 as a partnership between Cornell University, the NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets, the NYS Education Department, and the New York Farm Bureau, NY AITC educates youth, teachers, and consumers about agriculture and the food and fiber system. The site offers information, lesson plans, helpful links, awards, and grants.
Backyard Magic: The Composting Handbook
K-6, students, teachers
Produced by the Department of the Environment of New Brunswick in Canada, the site offers a range of information for turning organic household waste into a valuable soil conditioner. Some of the sections include: The Compost Container, Can I Compost This?, Composting Indoors, and Worm Composting. The site is also available in French.
City Farmer: Worm Words
Dictionary of composting terms.
Community Composting in GA
Facebook page
Composting for Kids
Composting slide show for elementary school students written and produced by Robert E. (Skip) Richter, CEA-Horticulture, Travis County, Texas Agricultural Extension Service
Cornell University
Composting curriculum with K-12 lesson plan
EPA: Composting Basic Information
Basic definition of compost with acceptable bin materials.
How to Compost
all ages, students, teachers
This site serves as a hub of information for anyone interested in composting, with an online composting handbook, as well as tips for managing yard waste. This site also offers links to a compost quiz, a bumper sticker, publications, children’s activities, an online resource for microbial science, and sites that provide tips for successful maintenance of the various types of compost piles.
MasterComposter.com
Wide range of lesson plans, project suggestions.
Organic Gardening
all ages, teachers
After the class has made compost, this is a valuable guide to planting with it. The site speaks to soil testing, planting without herbicides or pesticides, and planting an organic garden in an urban setting.
Vermicomposting – a 5th Grader School Enrichment Curriculum, by Rhonda Sherman, NC State University
School Composting: A Manual for Connecticut Schools
How to implement a school-based composting program
Marin County Office of Waste Management Compost Curriculum
A Teacher’s Guide To Composting
How to Make Compost
Barbara Pleasant (compost writer) in the Mother Earth News explains basic compost principles
Compost and Fertile soil building
A series on the Mother Earth News Website
Guide to Workplace Composting
A guide that provides information on composting programs that support sustainability, waste reduction, and zero waste initiatives.
Composting at Home Guide
A guide with information on composting at home.
Educational Videos
National Geographic –Green Home Makeover – Compost
Lee Reich writer for Fine Gardening Magazine- Making Compost
Composting 101– basic video for backyard composting