Clarkson University and Compost for Good (CfG), a program of the Adirondack North Country Association (ANCA), have been awarded a Rural Business Development Grant (RBDG) from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) that will help them expand community compost awareness and action campaigns across the North Country.
In the coming months, individuals passionate about supporting healthy local food systems and reducing food waste will be trained as 鈥淐ompost Catalysts鈥� to help communities divert wasted food from landfills. Supported by Susan Powers, Director of Clarkson鈥檚 Institute for a Sustainable Environment, ANCA Organics Recycling Coordinator Jennifer Perry, and Project Coordinators Dustin Bowman and Francesca McClure, Compost Catalysts will learn to develop projects and outreach events that serve communities in St. Lawrence, Franklin, Essex, and Clinton Counties.
鈥淭his grant support comes at a critical time as engagement in food waste reduction and community composting continues to grow in our region,鈥� said Powers. 鈥淭he expansion of outreach and education about community-scale composting will not only help food waste generators comply with state regulations, it will also help new and established composting businesses connect with clients. It鈥檚 a win-win for local businesses and communities who care about reducing the amount of organic waste in landfills and creating nutrient-rich compost for local farms and gardens.鈥�