Registration is now open for University of Vermont Extension’s short course on backyard composting!

"From Food Scraps to Soil" is a six-week hybrid course where soil scientists and composting experts teach participants how to transform food scraps and yard waste into nutrient-rich compost that improves garden and landscape soils.

The course runs from Sept. 11 to Oct. 23 and includes online learning, weekly live Zoom sessions and in-person workshops at three Vermont community composting sites.

Registration will stay open through Sept. 4. The fee is $50 for Vermonters ($150 for other students) and includes all materials. Visit: https://go.uvm.edu/vtcompostingcourse to learn more and register.

One white woman holds out a ball of soil while a second white woman sniffs it. A third person stands looking off to the side in the background. They're all in a garden environment.
Natasha Duarte of the Composting Association of Vermont demonstrates the "sniff test" to determine when compost is finished. Finished compost should smell earthy. Photo by Debra Heleba.

Topics covered include:

  • the biology of composting and decomposition science
  • site and container selection
  • compost use
  • community composting
  • Vermont’s universal recycling law
  • managing the compost process so that it does not attract wildlife.

Past participants have reported new knowledge and confidence in backyard and community composting after completing the course. 

“This course was transformative for me," one participant said. "I feel like I now have solid grounding for my composting practice.” 

Another said: “The course provided me with new strategies to be successful with composting. It also got me motivated to take action and educate my family.” 

A white woman sticks a metal rod with a handle in a wooden bin full of soil.
Composting course participants practice turning compost at an in-person workshop in Montpelier. Photo by Debra Heleba.

"From Food Scraps to Soil" is offered by the University of Vermont Extension’s Community Horticulture program in collaboration with the Composting Association of Vermont and with funding support from Vermont’s Department of Environmental Conservation. 

To request a disability-related accommodation to participate in this program, please contact Deb Heleba at debra.heleba@uvm.edu or 802-656-1777 by Aug. 28, 2026 so we may assist you.