Midwest rural communities recipient of compost training program

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Midwest rural communities recipient of compost training program

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:                                                                                

February 27, 2025

USDA funds grant for training by the Iowa Waste Reduction Center to manufacture and use compost to protect local water resources

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – The Iowa Waste Reduction Center  (IWRC) at the University of Northern Iowa is launching the Rural Compost Operations and Compost Use Training Project funded by the USDA Rural Utilities Service Solid Waste Management Grant Program. This project aims to support rural communities in Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, and Wisconsin by providing on-site training to teach attendees:

  1. How to compost food waste, including best management practices.
  2. Strategies to use compost to protect local water resources from pollutants and contaminants.

The goal of the project is to provide training in rural communities to manufacture compost from food waste and use it to protect water resources from pollutants that contaminate local rivers, streams, and lakes. Onsite technical assistance, classroom instruction, hands-on training, and field exercises will be provided in seven rural communities.

The expected outcomes include improved local water quality, reduced pollutants, and increased ecosystem health. Additionally, the project will provide networking opportunities, better solid waste management strategies, and the potential for replication in other regions. While the project will specifically work with Midwest communities, all project training and educational materials will be available on the IWRC website at iwrc.uni.edu to any individual or community interested in replicating the project.

The Rural Compost Operations and Compost Use Training Project will run through September 2025. Follow our Facebook page to keep tabs on the project and learn where trainings will be held.

Contact Molly Wells, Communications & Public Relations Manager at the University of Northern Iowa - Iowa Waste Reduction Center, for more information at 319-273-4307 or molly.wells@uni.edu.

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About Iowa Waste Reduction Center. The IWRC has been providing environmental services, including technical assistance and industry training, as well as research and development, for over 30 years. The IWRC is a part of the University of Northern Iowa's Business and Community Services which builds a better Iowa through hands-on technical assistance for economic and business development, entrepreneurship, environmental improvement and enhanced sustainability. For more information, visit iwrc.uni.edu.