13TH ANNUAL

Better
Composting
School

October 20-22, 2004

Ramada Hotel
7253 Parkway Drive, Hanover, MD

Learn how to produce
   high-quality compost for the
horticulture industries and
home gardener markets


Sponsored by:
Maryland Cooperative Extension
Biological Resources Engineering and
Natural Resource Sciences and Landscape Architecture Departments

For additional information, call 301-405-1395.

Better Composting School .pdf

School Faculty

Jennifer G Becker, Ph.D.--Dr. Becker specializes in the management of manure, biosolids, animal processing by-products, and other residuals derived from agricultural, industrial, and municipal activities. In particular, her work emphasizes biological treatment and product recovery and recycling. Dr. Becker is currently an Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist in the University of Maryland Biological Resources Engineering Department.

Herbert L. Brodie, P.E.--Professor Brodie is recognized in the treatment and utilization of by-products and for solving waste problems from agricultural, commercial, industrial and human activities through the use of composting biogas technology and land application methods. He was a member of the University of Maryland Biological Resources Engineering faculty for 33 years and was granted Professor Emeritus status in 1997.

Lewis E. Carr, Ph.D.--Dr. Carr specializes in the treatment and utilization of by-products associated with the poultry industry and has extensive experience in ammonia release from poultry litter and composting of DAF sludge, dead birds, hatchery waste and crab scrap from seafood processing. Dr. Carr has been a member of the University of Maryland Biological Resources Engineering faculty and a member of the Maryland Cooperative Extension since 1973.

Francis R. Gouin, Ph.D. Dr. Gouin specializes in research on the commercial production of ornamental plants and has pioneered the use of composted sewage in the production of horticultural crops. He has been researching the use of composted sewage sludge and other industrial sludges since 1973. Dr. Gouin is a Professor Emeritus of the University of Maryland, Natural Resource Sciences and Landscape Architecture Department.

Patricia D. Millner, Ph.D.--Dr. Millner specializes in environmental microbiology and her work on thermophilic microorganisms in composting has had a significant impact on the design and siting of large-scale composting facilities. Other active research includes studies of the suppression of plant disease with compost and mycorrhizal fungi in soils. Dr. Millner is a Research Microbiologist in the Sustainable Agricultural Systems Laboratory and Environmental Microbial Systems Laboratory, USDA-ARS-Beltsville Agricultural Research Center.

Marc Teffeau--As Regional Specialist at the Wye Research and Education Center, Mr. Teffeau evaluates the use of compost in the production of ornamental nursery stock, greenhouse crops, landscapes, and in wetland site mitigation. Current work is with use of litter in the nursery industry. He provides technical support and training to the horticulture industry on Maryland's Eastern Shore, and is a Maryland Department of Agriculture State Certified Composting Facility Operator.

Please copy for additional registrants.

Registration
 (please type or print legibly)



Company Name

 



Participant's Name(s)
 
 
 

Phone,FAX, and e-mail numbers
(include area codes)
 

Business Address
 


Personal Address
 


City


State__________ Zip__________


No. Attending:________x $325 = ___________



Make check payable to
University of Maryland Foundation, Inc.

Mail by Oct. 1, 2004 to
Better Composting School, ATTN: Patricia Lupo
Biological Resources Engineering Department
University of Maryland
College Park, MD 20742-2315
(301-405-1395)

Please note: We are unable to process R* (Stars) and Credit Card transactions at this time. However, we accept PO's, checks and cash.

 

13th Annual Better Composting School

Purpose

To train operators of compost facilities in the science of composting.

Who Should Attend

Composting plant operators, managers, and other interested persons.

Enrollment Limitations

Enrollment will be limited to the first 70 who enroll with the required registration fee.

Course of Instruction

School starts promptly at 8 a.m., October 20 and ends at 5 p.m., October 22.

Registration Fee:

$325 for the three-day school if received by October 10, 2004. Registration after October 10, 2004 will be $350.  The registration fee includes handout materials, second-day tour, all breaks, three lunches, first night's dinner, facility rental, and other administrative costs.

Make check payable to:
University of Maryland Foundation, Inc.

Continuing Education Units

Continuing Education Units (CEUs) will be provided for successful completion of this school through the University of Maryland University College.

Location

Ramada Hotel
7253 Parkway Drive
Hanover, MD
410-712-4300

LODGING

A block of rooms has been reserved at the Ramada Hotel, $79/night for single or double occupancy plus tax. Participants are responsible for making their own lodging reservations. A block of rooms will be reserved at the above price until September 20, 2004. Call the hotel directly at 410-712-4300.

Precise directions will be sent with registration confirmation.

(The Ramada Hotel will have available transportation to and from the Baltimore Washington International Airport.)

Schedule

October 20

•Introduction

•Mathematics

•Biological Basics of Composting

•Odor Control

•Processes and Equipment

•Feed Stocks and Initial Mix

•Aeration and Process Management

•Site Selection and Pollution Control

•Computer-aided Recipe Making

•Composting Dead Animals

October 21

•Composting Facility Visits to Five Facilities-- Students will collect compost samples for laboratory study.

October 22

•Utilization and Marketing

•Standards

•Quality Control

•Conforming to Regulations

•Health Issues at Compost Sites

•Process Problem Solving

Composting and Compost Standards

Composting is becoming the method of choice for converting organic waste into a marketable product-- "Commercial Compost". If the horticultural industries and home gardeners are to accept "Commercial Compost" as they do fertilizers, dehydrated cow manure and peatmoss, it will have to be manufactured using acceptable procedures and under controlled conditions. The horticultural industries include nurseries, greenhouses, landscape contractors, garden centers, and landscape maintenance firms. They are major users of organic matter and fertilizers.

Since "Commercial Compost" can be manufactured from a variety of waste materials, several standards are being established based on end uses. Managers of composting facilities must not only be familiar with these standards but with the waste materials and the composting system that can best produce the desired products. Composting to produce a product that is consistent in quality will require good management and quality control.

School participants will learn the basics of making good compost. They will tour operating systems where they will perform product sampling and learn simple procedures for compost testing. They will become better composters.

For additional information
call 301-405-1395.

The Better Composting School is an activity of the University of Maryland Foundation, Inc. The funds raised will be administered by the University of Maryland Foundation, Inc. for the benefit of the Better Composting School.

The University of Maryland's programs are open to all citizens without regard to race, color, gender, disability, religion, age, sexual orientation, marital or parental status, or national origin.