The StopWaste Environmental Educator Training (SWEET) is a peer-to-peer, experiential course, community engagement and certification program. The goal of this course is to support the people who manage on-site compost systems at urban farms and/or who provide public education at compost hubs, as well as build community connections within the local compost/farm/food growing network. SWEET participants learn how to instill in others the skills and confidence to make and use compost to grow food, garden sustainably and contribute to a healthier community food system.

SWEET includes instruction and activities on soil health and compost science, specifically identifying soil types and needs, composting systems, feedstocks, application/use, quality and contamination. Other topics that the SWEET program covers are best practices for educating fellow farm staff and the general public on how to make and use compost. This course addresses the connection between compost and food growing, donation, recovery, including local agriculture and current activities around building a healthy community-based food system. Classes take place at urban farm sites throughout the county and all participants are provided a $500 stipend for their time.

Program Objectives

  • Build expertise in soil and compost science by providing participants with deeper knowledge on soil health and compost science, hands-on experience with compost systems, and knowledge of local efforts around compost (including commercial, farm, and municipal).
  • Hone best practices in public compost education through exposure and peer-to-peer sharing on best practices in adult environmental education strategies, and guidance for the successful completion of an individual outreach project.
  • Understand the current food system — who grows it, how it's distributed, who has access, how quality differs, direct connections to waste and impacts on natural resources.
  • Increase county-wide waste diversion through a cost-effective program.
  • Connect with local groups working to build a healthy community food system and develop ongoing networking and communication.
  • Serve as a statewide model for community engagement peer-to-peer experiential programs.
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Interested in SWEET?

Start with Requesting Compost Technical Assistance

SWEET participation is by invitation only, as it's designed to support core staff and volunteers at partnering organizations such as urban farms and local composters. That does not mean SWEET aims to be exclusive - as a matter of fact, we refer many of our Compost Technical Assistance recipients to SWEET!
Request Compost Technical Assistance