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Pre-Conference Training & Workshops
Learn from the experts! All full-day workshops include lunch.
USCC "Foundations of Compost" Training Course
The course will provide a solid understanding of the foundations of composting for operators, managers and regulators. The course will train new composters on the basic principles and techniques of composting and will reacquaint veteran composters with the underlying fundamentals of their profession. This will include the review for the Compost Certification exam to be given on Thursday, Jan. 29.
8:30 AM-4:30 PM | members: $195 | non-members: $225 | max. of 60 attendees
Instructors
Dr. Robert Rynk is an environmental and agricultural engineer. He is the editor of the ‘On-Farm Composting Handbook’, and a faculty member with the State University of New York at Cobleskill.
Matthew Cotton, Integrated Waste Management Consulting, LLC. Matt teaches SWANA's Manager of Composting Programs Course and has over 20 years experience in composting.
**REVISED for 2009** Odor Management and Odor Control For Windrow Composting
This workshop will provide information and discuss odor management for various handling systems and control technologies for windrow composting. Methods of odor assessment will be presented. Odor modeling and its value will be discussed. There have been several studies concerning odor as a potential public health issue. As a result there have been several legal actions against operators. This aspect will also be discussed.
8:30 AM-12:00 PM | members: $145 | non-members: $170 | max. of 45 attendees
Instructors
Jeff Gage is the Research & Development Director for Swanson Bark & Wood Products, Inc. in Longview, Washington. He has been an instructor for the Washington Organic Recycling Council Compost Facility Operator Training for 12 years. He has been involved with the design and operation of nine composting facilities. He has developed and implemented odor mitigation plans and has hands on experience with controlling compost facility odors. He consults with compost operations to improve the many variables that may contribute to their total odor impact.
Green Roofs for Healthy Cities "Green Roof Design 101" Training Course
This introductory training course on green roof infrastructure design presents many of the tools and techniques needed to meet your green roof project objectives on schedule, to specification, and within budget. The focus of the training will be on enhancing your skills in:
• Identifying the costs and benefits of green roofs to reach your green roof performance goals;
• Identifying a variety of green roof products and understanding the performance criteria of different green roof elements, and their relevance to your design intent;
• Understanding the major design principles for a successful green roof project and the causes for error, which might lead to an unsuccessful green roof project;
• Determining the various professions and competencies required to optimally implement your successful green roof project.
8:30 AM-5:00 PM | members: $349 | non-members: $399 | max. of 40 attendees
Instructors
Jennifer Sprout is a Landscape Architect and an expert in Green Roof Design
**New for 2009** How to Use Compost: Fruit, Vegetables, Ornamentals, Golf Courses, Landscaping, Forestry, Diseases Suppression and Organic Agriculture
Appropriate compost utilization for agriculture, horticultural and landscape products must ensure a proper balance between organic applied nutrients and the nutrients needs of the particular crop being produce, and must consider potentially harmful effects such as plant phytotoxicity and or presence of heavy metals. Attendees will learn compost use for specific crops based on composting principles and promote the improvement of soil physical, chemical and biological properties by the correct use of composts.
8:30 AM-4:30 PM | members: $195 | non-members: $225 | max. of 40 attendees
Instructors
Dr. Monica Ozores-Hampton, has more than a decade of experience researching compost production and utilization, Dr. Don Rockwood and Dr. Ronald French-Monar, University of Florida/SWFREC
**NEW for 2009** Health & Safety Training for Compost Facility Personnel
This one-day program covers the specific health and safety concerns of the composting operation, including mechanical hazards of equipment, heat/cold stress, overexertion injuries, engulfment, and the biological and chemical hazards of raw materials and the composting process steps.
8:30 AM-4:30 PM | members: $195 | non-members: $225 | max. of 50 attendees
Instructors
Nellie J. Brown, MS, CIH, is the Director of Workplace Health and Safety Programs for Cornell University’s School of Industrial and Labor Relations. She serves on a Cornell University Project Work Team on Composting and Land Application of Sewage Sludge. She is the author of “Composting Safety and Health” in: Rynk, R. et al. (Eds) (tentative 2008). On-Farm Composting Handbook. NRAES Cooperative Extension. Ithaca, NY
**New for 2009** Understanding Your Compost Product for Better Utilization and Marketing
This workshop will provide information on plant nutrients, major and minor elements, heavy metals, salts, stability, maturity, human and plant pathogens, and the basics of composting. The workshop will cover reactions in the soil; the importance of organic matter in enhancing soil physical properties; binding of heavy metals; and improving the soil microbial populations. Information on compost testing and how to interpret analytical results will also be discussed.
8:30 AM-12:00 PM | members: $145 | non-members: $170 | max. of 40 attendees
Instructors
Dr. Eliot Epstein and other invited instructors TBA. Dr. Epstein is a soil physicist who received his degree from Purdue University in 1956. He worked for USDA in agricultural research for 21 years. For 16 years his research was on soil water, crop production, runoff and erosion, and soil organic matter effect on soil physical properties. In 1972 he moved from the University of Maine to Beltsville, Maryland where he conducted research on composting. There he developed the Aerated Static Pile method. In 1980 he became president of E&A Environmental Consultants and also Adjunct Professor of Public Health at Boston University School of Public Health. He published two books: The Science of Composting and Land Application of Sewage Sludge and Biosolids. In 2007 he received The Pioneer Award in Disinfection by the Water Environment Foundation.
Green Roof Infrastructure: Plants and Growing Medium 401
This course will provide participants with an overview of plants and growing medium design considerations and maintenance for green roof assemblies. It establishes design and implementation best management practices. Discussion includes the principles of plant physiology and soil sciences as they apply to green roofs; identify appropriate applications of various plant and growing material for your green roof project; understand the technical requirements for growing medium and plant life; and, understand the potential implementation issues related to plant care and growing medium contamination.
8:30 AM-5:00 PM | members: $449 | non-members: $499 | max. of 40 attendees
Instructors
Rick Buist is a pioneer in green roof design
Compost Marketers Toolkit
Provides training for compost sales and marketing staff on the basics of compost marketing and sales, as well as providing pertinent technical information on compost benefits, and plant and soil responses (ammunition for the compost salesperson). The workshop provides marketing insight, sales techniques and sales tools for new salespeople, as well as veteran, compost sales staff.
9:00 AM-3:00 PM | members: $195 | non-members: $225 | max. of 40 attendees
Instructors
Ron Alexander, a horticulturist and veteran compost salesman and sales/marketing manager with 25 years of experience in compost marketing, sales and end use.
**NEW for 2009** Taking Composting to the Next Level: Using Forced Aeration for Food Wastes, Manures and Other Organics
This course is for experienced composters who would like to expand beyond the basics of leaf and yard waste composting into food residuals, manures and other challenging materials. Participants will learn the differences among various systems, how to determine fan size and piping, and what kind of environmental protection and permitting is needed.
9:00 AM-4:00 PM | members: $195 | non-members: $225 | max. of 50 attendees
Instructors
Peter Moon, PE, O2 Compost, has 25 years of experience in setting up compost facilities to process organic waste with aeration and to keep this process simple, systematic and affordable
**NEW for 2009** How to Develop a Successful Organics Diversion Program
Sustainability is on the top of the list of all companies and organization’s goals. The development of organic diversion programs will be of utmost importance for the next decade This workshop will outline a formal procedure for developing an organic diversion program. Participants will receive a booklet of all containing the necessary waste audit documentation and tracking forms for program implementation.
1:00 PM-4:30 PM | members: $145 | non-members: $170 | max. of 40 attendees
Instructors
Peter Klaich, Garick Corporation, is an international expert in the biodegradable plastics market arena and program development infrastructure.