Upload
evania
View
39
Download
0
Tags:
Embed Size (px)
DESCRIPTION
Creating and Managing Composting Programs with Tribal Schools. Shannon Judd Environmental Education/Outreach Coordinator. Fond du Lac Reservation. Just over 100,000 acres – approximately 33,000 are Reservation owned (Trust, Fee, MCT) - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
Citation preview
Creating and Managing Creating and Managing Composting Programs with Composting Programs with
Tribal SchoolsTribal Schools
Shannon JuddShannon JuddEnvironmental Education/Outreach Environmental Education/Outreach
CoordinatorCoordinator
Fond du Lac ReservationFond du Lac Reservation Just over 100,000 acres Just over 100,000 acres
– approximately 33,000 – approximately 33,000 are Reservation owned are Reservation owned (Trust, Fee, MCT)(Trust, Fee, MCT)
Nearly evenly split Nearly evenly split between two counties: between two counties: St. Louis and CarltonSt. Louis and Carlton
1125 band members 1125 band members 1492 other tribal 1492 other tribal membersmembers
2 Casinos and multiple 2 Casinos and multiple program divisions and program divisions and other enterprisesother enterprises
Fond du Lac Reservation
CompostinCompostingg
Ojibwe School Ojibwe School Vermiculture Vermiculture ProgramProgram
Head Start Head Start VermicompostingVermicomposting
Household Household Vermiculture Vermiculture ProjectProject
Household Yard Household Yard Composting Bin Composting Bin ProjectProject
Educational Educational Outreach ProgramOutreach Program
Fond du Lac Ojibwe Fond du Lac Ojibwe SchoolSchool
~ Kindergarten – 12th Grade
~ Approximately 300 Students
~ Increased incorporation of hands-on, traditional/cultural activities in curriculum
Ojibwe School Ojibwe School Vermiculture ProgramVermiculture Program
Opportunity to provide Opportunity to provide environmental and environmental and pollution prevention pollution prevention education to students while education to students while also decreasing the amount also decreasing the amount of solid waste generated on of solid waste generated on the reservation.the reservation.Educational Outreach is a Educational Outreach is a high priority for the high priority for the Resource Management Resource Management Division.Division.
Project BackgroundProject Background
Established in February 2000Established in February 2000 Expanded Project January 2002Expanded Project January 2002 Financial Assistance from US EPA Region 5 Financial Assistance from US EPA Region 5
and MN Dept of Natural Resourcesand MN Dept of Natural Resources School Staff took over in 2006School Staff took over in 2006 Now a cooperative effort between school Now a cooperative effort between school
and the Environmental Programand the Environmental Program
Location - Room Details
•Room Requirements- Ojibwe School 10 x 15 x 10
•In separate room in school garage facility
•Separate heating/cooling is a good idea!
(
Air Conditioning Thermostat
Bin Details•3x4½x2 (We have 4)
•Separation of materials between compost and drain
•Plastic to avoid rusting
•Spigot
•Cover - depends on your situation
•Make your own! Save money!
Bin DetailsBin DetailsBedding MaterialsBedding Materials
Leaves Leaves (not walnut)(not walnut)Shredded brown Shredded brown
paper towel or bagspaper towel or bagsWood shavingsWood shavingsNot recommended:Not recommended:Newspaper, bleached Newspaper, bleached
paper (dioxins)paper (dioxins)
Bin Details - SubstrateBin Details - SubstratePeat MossPeat MossSandSandMolassesMolassesWaterWaterCoffee groundsCoffee grounds
Scale for weighing food
Other Needs…~ Refrigerator~Scale~Rubber Gloves~Packaging Materials~Collection Bags~Black plastic covering~Worm tea buckets
The LaborersThe Laborers
Red WigglersRed Wigglers5-10lbs5-10lbs
Worms at WorkWorms at Work
Worm “Business”Worm “Business” Increasing self-esteemIncreasing self-esteem Encourage interaction between generationsEncourage interaction between generations Math, marketing, computer, finance, etc.Math, marketing, computer, finance, etc. Compost- use “Chinese” takeout containers or Compost- use “Chinese” takeout containers or
ziplock baggiesziplock baggies Worm Tea- use plastic bottlesWorm Tea- use plastic bottles Powwows, community events, etc.Powwows, community events, etc.
Endless Educational Endless Educational OpportunitiesOpportunities
Any Any subject can subject can apply…apply…ArtArtLanguageLanguageWritingWritingScienceScienceHistory History
561
201.96
342
123.12
425
153
428
154.08
0
200
400
600
Bin 1 Bin 2 Bin 3 Bin 4
Vermi-Composting ProgramCost Savings
January-August 2001
Pounds Cost Savings1756
$632.16
Bottling Worm Tea for sale at community events
LabelingLabeling
This label is ready to print onto Avery Label #5163.
Worm Castings help create healthier soils; improving water retention, soil texture, nutrient availability and the ability to fight soil-borne plant diseases and repel insects.
(Soil:Compost)Simply mix in some compost with regular potting soil. (20:1 Ratio)
Compost harvested/packaged by the Ojibwe School “Worm Wigglers” 3rd graders
WORM COMPOSTFond du Lac Ojibwe School
Vermiculture Program
LabelingLabeling
This label is ready to print onto Avery Label #5163.
Stimulates healthy root system growth, Encourages a strong leaf system, Produces vibrant leaf and fruit color, Replenishes soil, Provides a natural, chemical free solution for plant feeding
Can be used around the roots of plants, or as a foliar (leaf) spray
Add 4 ounces of worm tea to 1 gallon of water. Apply every 30-60 days. Apply to any plant.
Tea harvested/packaged by the Ojibwe School “Worm Wigglers” 3rd graders
WORM TEAFond du Lac Ojibwe School
Vermiculture Program
Selling at the FDLTCC Earth Day event
What’s Great About What’s Great About VermicompostingVermicomposting
No need for expensive No need for expensive equipmentequipment
Can be done at small-Can be done at small-scale or large scalescale or large scale
Fewer critter worriesFewer critter worries No smell if done No smell if done
properlyproperly Very good quality Very good quality
compostcompost Fun to hear the worms Fun to hear the worms
chomping away!chomping away!
Challenges to Challenges to VermicompostingVermicomposting
Limited amount of food Limited amount of food waste can be used initiallywaste can be used initially
Worms have special needsWorms have special needs Biodegradable utensils Biodegradable utensils
tough to break downtough to break down Environmental Health Environmental Health
Codes may limit locationCodes may limit location Climate affects location Climate affects location
optionsoptions Perceptions of wormsPerceptions of worms Guilt if something goes Guilt if something goes
awryawry
Lessons Learned and other Lessons Learned and other TipsTips
Try to have only one or two people Try to have only one or two people managing the bins.managing the bins.
Post signage with all essential dos and Post signage with all essential dos and don'ts.don'ts.
Limit access to the vermicomposting site.Limit access to the vermicomposting site. Make sure to properly bury food! Make sure to properly bury food! Egg shells and coffee grounds are a must!Egg shells and coffee grounds are a must! Have curriculum available and establish a Have curriculum available and establish a
routine with classrooms or student groupsroutine with classrooms or student groups Leave worm juice bottles slightly openLeave worm juice bottles slightly open
Where are we now?Where are we now?Restarted two bins January 2010.Restarted two bins January 2010.““Sustainability” team now takes care Sustainability” team now takes care
of worm feeding and care Worm juice of worm feeding and care Worm juice and compost sold for fundraisersand compost sold for fundraisers
Journey Garden students will use Journey Garden students will use compost and tea for their garden.compost and tea for their garden.
Outdoor Composting Outdoor composting
pile maintained during Journey Garden Program
Pile is small and located within fenced area
May have critter or odor issues if not properly maintained
Fond du Lac Head StartEnvironmental Program contacted by
teacher in early 2011. Staff provided assistance and
presentation to classroom when worm bin introduced
Great opportunity for early childhood education!
Vermiculture Bin and inside
view or bin
Composting for Tribal Schools Getting Started
Meet with School Staff
Review Local and Federal Regulations
Weigh Food Waste Helps determine size
of system neededEstimated cost
savings could help initiate project
Composting for Tribal Schools Getting Started
Cont…Determine location,
system size, staff and other logistics
Find funding and build!Be available for
technical assistanceK-12 Grant Resource
Grant Wrangler – www.grantwrangler.com
Additional ResourcesAdditional ResourcesLaVerme’s Worms: LaVerme’s Worms:
www.lavermesworms.com
New Mexico State University: New Mexico State University: http://aces.nmsu.edu/pubs/_h/h-164.pdf