Compost

Train the Trainer Workshop

LIVING SOILS
 Ecosystems and Food Webs
• An ecosystem is a biological community of interacting organisms and
their physical environment

• Producers harness energy from the sun

• Consumers feed on other organisms to get what they need to survive

 Producers are eaten by plant eating organisms called Herbivores
 Herbivores are eaten by either Omnivores, that eat both plants and
animals, e.g. humans, or Carnivores, that eat only meat.
Organic matter is important because:
• It improves soil structure which improves aeration, infiltration of
water and makes it easier for roots to grow

• It holds water – very useful in dry periods

• It holds soils particles together forming stable crumbs (aggregates)

• Other beneficial organisms e.g. earthworms feed on organic matter

• It hold and releases nutrients continuously which increases nutrient

supply to plants and reduces leaching.

• It helps balance/maintain healthy soil pH

“So what’s so great about
compost?”
Benefits of compost
• It turns waste into something
useful.
• It provides food and the energy that
is needed by the soil organisms
• improves structure, aeration and
moisture in the soil to help our
crops grow.

Compost makes soil healthy

and helps crops to grow
• Generally High C:N ratio materials are
Dry/Brown
• Generally Low C:N ratio materials are
Green
 What can I put into my compost?
Newspapers and other
paper

Food scraps from the kitchen,

including egg shells, fish waste

Garden waste
Coconut husks
What can’t I put into my compost?
• Large quantities of meat products
• Dairy products – cheese
• Plastics
• Metal – aluminum, steel etc
• Compost should be a balanced mix of –
greens : browns : air : water
Layering the materials
 Moisture and Air
• Composting organisms need both moisture
and air to survive.

• Moisture content should be around 60%

• Some moisture will come from the materials,
but you will also need to add water

• Check the moisture level by squeezing some

material with your hand – it should feel like a
wet sponge
 Turning the compost
• To ensure there is enough air the heap
should be turned regularly

• Speeds up process by aerating the heap

• Moves material from outside into the centre
• Should be turned about once a month
 Temperature and pH
• The process of composting has 3 main
stages – heating, cooling, maturing.

• Temperatures
- Heating phase: 60 to 65°C
- Cooling phase: 25 to 40°C
- Maturing phase: 20 to 40°C

• Different things are going on inside the heap

at the different stages
Surface area and volume of the heap
• Minimum size – 1m x 1m
• Maximum size – no wider than 2.5m, no
higher than 1.5m – this is for practicality of
managing the heap e.g. turning

• It can be as long as you like…this is termed a

windrow
 What can go wrong – problems and solutions
Problem Indication Solution
Too dry Look for white fungal Add water
growth in the heap

Too wet Material will be slimy Turn the heap and add more
and have a strong smell dry material.

Lack of oxygen Material becomes Turn heap and break up

compacted, forming material
tightly packed clumps

Low quantity of material Temperature too low. Add more nitrogen rich
materials

Lack of microorganism None of the other Add old compost, manure or

conditions apply soil to the heap to introduce
microorganisms
 Making the compost
• Decided on method and on size
• Selected site
• Tools are ready
• Some ready made compost to show
Now……to the field
 Summary of demonstration
1. Planned

2. Introduced topic

3. Chose site

4. Discussed types of materials and size

5. Building up layers

6. Turning and monitoring

7. Asked and answered questions

 DAY TWO
Help others learn how to compost –
Training skills
1. Communication – Chinese Whispers

2. Discussion
 What makes a good trainer?
• Good communicator – verbally, non verbally, in writing
• Patient
• Well organized – including outlining structure of training to the
group
• Flexible
• Good people skills
• Sense of humor
• Enthusiasm for learning
• Open to feedback
• Good research and problem solving skills
• Good time management skills
• Have respect for those they are teaching
• Desire to share what they know
• Helping to make everyone feel comfortable
Clear communication is essential
• Includes verbal, non verbal, written etc
• Whether in the field or classroom, body language
and vocal projection is very important.

• Body posture – how we stand and sit

• Gestures – hands, head and body movements
• Eye contact – maintain an appropriate amount
• Proximity – distance from the participants
.
 Communication cont.
• Voice projection – which direction we face when
we talk, whether we whisper, mumble, shout etc

• Voice speed – talk too slow or too fast

• Language – use of local language is better
understood, but sometimes, technical detail may
be lost. Use of technical terms shows knowledge
but often a point is lost as trainees do not
understand the words used – adapt language
appropriately
Preparing your training session
Consider the following
• Who
• Needs
• Content
• Planning
• Method
• Evaluation
Handout- Training session plan