The deadline to sign up for the Vermont Master Composter course has been extended to August 29. The online course begins the following day and runs for eight consecutive weeks.

Students will learn the basics of making and using compost as well as hear about community composting projects and regulations and policies for composting in Vermont as state law banned food scraps from trash in 2020.

The University of Vermont Extension Community Horticulture Program is sponsoring the course, which includes additional sessions on volunteerism for anyone interested in becoming a Vermont Master Composter volunteer.

To register, go to https://go.uvm.edu/vtcompost. The fee is $50 for Vermont residents, $150 for non-residents.

Live Zoom sessions will be held Thursday evenings from 6 to 7:30 p.m. from September 5 to October 24 for participants who wish to become a Vermont Master Composter volunteer. Attendance at an in-person workshop this fall to gain hands-on experience with backyard and community composting systems also is required. 

For questions about the course, email Deb Heleba at debra.heleba@uvm.edu. If needing a disability-related accommodation to participate, please contact her as soon as possible.