UConn Master Composter Outreach Efforts and Activities

Since its inception in 2009 through to the fall of 2022, UConn Master Composter volunteers have donated 7,219 hours of their time educating the public about composting.  These efforts have reached over 54,419 people (youth and adults)! The value of these volunteer contributions is almost $200,000 (based on a value of $27.70 per hour of volunteer work).

Our efforts are quite varied.  Many Master Composter volunteers initiate their own outreach projects but requests for Master Composter particpants also come through the program coordinators, who solicit Master Composter volunteers to fill these requests.

Master Composters have given presentations to municipalities, civic and agricultural organizations, spiritual groups, community gardeners, K-12 school students, and college students. Other volunteers have assisted schools and community gardens by providing assistance and advice to develop and manage composting systems.

Earth Day is a most popular time for Master Composter presentations and outreach tables. You can also find Master Composters staffing outreach tables at county fairs, agricultural fairs, garden fairs, conferences, community get-togethers, and farmers markets.  Our volunteers have prepared written materials about composting and developed promotional and educational displays.  The displays include mini 'to-scale' models of types of composting structures, handcrafted by handy volunteers.

Other projects include hand-crafted three bin wooden composting systems at county UConn Extension Centers, schools, and nature and retreat centers throughout the state.

Opportunities for sharing composting knowledge are many and varied.  Every volunteer will find a good match!