Connecticut Compost Conference

March 23, 2020, at Central Connecticut State University.

This informative day will include keynote speakers, breakout sessions, panel discussion, networking, exhibitors, and a Q&A.

This critical event will provide information and resources for farmers and municipalities to expand their leaf and/or manure composting operation to include food scraps. The focus of workshops will include the benefits to soil health, conservation, food waste management, and climate adaptation. Compost manufacturing and compost utilization are vital to producing healthy soils, clean air and water, and sustainable society.

4 AOLCP CEUs available

Tentative Agenda:

8:30 am: Registration, Breakfast, Networking, and Exhibitor Fair
9:15 am: Welcome – Dr. Charles Button, CCSU Geography Department
State of the State – Compost Permitting and Regulations Status in CT:
Bryan Hurlburt, CT Dept. of Ag. Commissioner
Robert Isner, Director of Waste Engineering and Enforcement Division at CT DEEP
10:00 am: Keynote Presentations
Mark Hutchinson – University of Maine Composting School
Andrew Carpenter – Northern Tilth, Maine
11:30 am: Breakout Sessions
Back to Basics: Medium Scale Composting- Mike Carignan, AGRESOURCE, NY
Scale Up: Advanced Composting – Recipes & Calculators – Domingo Medina, CT NOFA
12:30 pm: Lunch, Networking & Exhibitor Tables
1:30 pm: Breakout Session
Compost Feedstocks –Mark Hutchinson, University of Maine Composting School
Compost siting, equipment, infrastructure, management and nutrient management – Andrew Carpenter, Northern Tilth, Maine
2:30 pm: Break
2:45 pm: Composting in CT – Farms & Municipalities currently composting – Speaker Panel/Q&A
4:00 pm: Compost Testing & Results – Dawn Pettinelli, UConn Extension & Beneficial Uses of Compost – James Hyde, USDA NRCS
4:30 pm: Networking & Exhibitor Tables
5:00 pm: Conclude

Planning Partners: CT NOFA, CT RC&D, CT DEEP, CT DOAG, USDA NRCS, UConn Master Composting Program, Central CT State University, American Farmland Trust, River COG, NW Conservation District, Center for Ecotechnology (CET), Composting Association of VT, and other partners from Massachusetts & Vermont.

Special Thanks to our generous Sponsors:

Sustainable CT, Farm Credit East, RecycleCT, UConn Master Composting Program, American Farmland Trust, Connecticut Recyclers Coalition, Peels & Wheels Composting, and CT Council on Soil and Water Conservation