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