On October 21st, 2023, a beautiful, slightly overcast, fall morning, Daily Acts partnered with LandPath’s Bayer Farm to host “Compostapalooza.” This was an educational event that taught participants how to compost at home and the importance of composting as a tool in mitigating climate pollutants.
Attendees filtered into the farm, signing in and then helping themselves to bagels, cookies, coffee, and tea. After some brief breakfast snacks and mingling, everyone took their seats at the picnic tables to listen into the presentation with excitement. Our featured presenter that morning was Master Composter, Jennifer Roberts. Jennifer has a wealth of knowledge that she so kindly shared with the audience about why and how to compost.
Jennifer spoke to the amazing powers of compost in drawing down atmospheric carbon and the great impacts it can have on soil health. Jennifer also explained SB1383, the California State Compost Law. She dove into why diverting food waste to landfills and making sure that organic waste breaks down with the pressence of oxygen helps mitigate methane production, an extremely potent greenhouse gas. Jennifer left a great impact and truly seemed to inspire the attendees to rethink our relationship with waste and soil.
The talk was followed by a tour led by Jonathan Bravo of Bayer Farm. Following the tour, LandPaths’ volunteers began spreading 40 yards of compost throughout the farm, working diligently to increase the soil health of the site. Lastly, at the conclusion of the event was the final component of the day’s event; a compost giveaway at a Place to Play Park, a Santa Rosa city park located about 5 miles away from the farm. Other community members who weren’t present at the morning presentation also came during this portion of the event. It was wonderful to see the community coming together to draw down carbon by nourishing their soils. Participants walked away with loads of compost, counter top compost pails from Zero Waste, and new knowledge and resources that will help them in their composting journeys.
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This event was made possible through a county-funded grant project focused on increasing carbon sequestration through compost application and education. This work is to assist with the goals of SB1383 and improve soil health. Through this grant, during 2023, Daily Acts will host a series of educational events on compost throughout the county; one for each of the 5 Sonoma County districts.
