About Educational Workshops & Speaking

Why I Teach Composting

I’m Maria, and for me, composting isn’t just a side project - it’s a calling. I talk about composting even when our main service gets shut down, because I honestly believe turning food scraps into garden gold is something everyone should know. Closing the loop from kitchen to garden gives back to our community and the earth.

What My Workshops Cover

I lead live, virtual workshops on Zoom, usually 90 minutes with lots of Q&A. You get real answers, not just theory. Topics I cover:

• Composting ins and outs for beginners
• Turning kitchen scraps into nutrient-rich compost (garden gold)
• Composting with chickens - sharing what’s worked and what’s flopped at my own farm
• The true story of Delhi Community Compost, with all the wins and messy bits

Sometimes I co-host with other experts in sustainable gardening, so you get even more voices and experience.

Speaking & Advocacy

I’m not shy about sharing the tough stuff. At local meetings, I talk about the real challenges of community composting workshop efforts, and what it’s like to run a small, green project. I go into the nitty gritty of food waste solutions education and how it impacts our local food systems, regulations, and everyday life.

Learning By Doing

I believe the best way to learn is by getting your hands dirty. That’s why I’m working on a farm internship program, so folks can actually see how farming and composting work together. For now, payment comes in veggies and farm eggs.

The Real Deal

This journey isn’t always pretty - broken gear, regulations, late nights, you name it. But I’m still here, sharing what I’ve learned, and hoping to help others find their own way into composting. If you want honesty, practical advice, and a little bit of mud, I’ve got you covered.