Urban Composting Workshops & Practical Garden Advice
Stop throwing away your kitchen waste. Learn to turn it into nutrient-rich 'garden gold' with my no-nonsense, honest workshops and consultations designed for city living.
This is what it's all about: turning everyday scraps into rich, nutrient-dense compost, or 'garden gold' as I like to call it. I teach the ins and outs of this process in my live workshops, giving you the practical skills to create your own high-quality soil amendment at home.
I frequently partner with other local experts, like the Cornell Cooperative Extension, to co-host virtual workshops on Zoom. These sessions are a great way to learn different methods of composting and hear the story of my community composting journey.
Here are the details for a live Zoom presentation I co-hosted about turning food scraps into "garden gold." In these sessions, I often share my personal story and my specific techniques for composting with chickens.
Promoting one of my "Composting Ins and Outs" workshops for International Compost Awareness Week. These events are interactive with plenty of time for Q&A, so you can get real answers to your composting questions.
Celebrating International Compost Awareness Week with some of our premium sifted compost. This is my favorite week of the year because it's all about sharing why soil loves compost, a central theme in my educational talks.
An official poster for International Compost Awareness Week, an event I help coordinate for New York. My advocacy work involves spreading the word about the benefits of composting and building a stronger community around sustainable practices.
There are so many reasons to compost, from improving your garden's soil to reducing landfill waste and protecting the climate. I share this information because I truly believe composting is one of the most powerful and accessible things we can all do for the planet.
I was so grateful to be featured in The Reporter for my work with Delhi Community Compost. I use my platform to be a voice for the food waste revolution, advocating for better local food systems and solutions, a passion I bring to all my speaking engagements.
Part of my advocacy involves engaging with local governance. Here's an announcement for a Town Council Meeting where the future of my composting operation was on the agenda. I believe in showing up and speaking up for what's right.
When faced with challenges from the town, I started a petition that quickly gathered hundreds of supporters. This is a testament to the power of community, a topic I often discuss in my talks about local food systems.
About Workshops & Community Education
Getting your compost right in a small city apartment is rarely about expensive gear; it is about mastering the ratio of 'browns' (dry, carbon-rich materials) to 'greens' (wet, nitrogen-rich scraps). In my 1-hour consultations, we review your specific setup, whether it is a small balcony or a terrace, and troubleshoot common issues like moisture control and odors. I help you build a system that works for your space so you can stop guessing and start building healthy soil.
Why I Teach Composting
I do not just teach theory. I share what has worked and what has flopped at my own farm. Composting is a calling for me, and I believe everyone should have the skills to turn their kitchen waste into something useful for their plants. Whether you are dealing with a tiny apartment or a larger community project, my sessions are built on real experience.
What My Virtual Workshops Cover
My 90-minute live Zoom sessions are interactive and packed with Q&A. We get into the nitty-gritty of:
- Fundamentals: Mastering moisture control, aeration, and the science of the 'browns vs greens' balance.
- Troubleshooting: Fixing odors, pests, and slow decomposition before they become a problem.
- Integration: Tips on keeping your indoor or outdoor bins clean and efficient.
- DIY Builds: Detailed walkthroughs on creating your own equipment, like compost sifters, without needing fancy, expensive tools.
Personalized Consultations
If you have a specific space you are trying to manage, I offer 1-hour video consultations. Before we chat, I review photos of your site. We can talk through infrastructure advice, breed selection if you are integrating poultry, or just how to set up an indoor worm bin in a flat. You get a direct, practical action plan tailored to your home.
The Real Story
I am not shy about the messy bits. I share the reality of running a green project, including the gear breakdowns and the regulatory headaches I have navigated. When you learn from me, you are getting the full, unvarnished picture. This work is about perseverance, community, and keeping it real. If you want honest, hands-on advice, I am here to help.
Maria Schermerhorn
I am Maria. I do not just teach composting, I live it, broken gear and all. My workshops are the raw, honest version of what it takes to turn waste into soil in a busy city, without any sugar-coating, just the practical steps that actually work.
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