Become a composting expert!

Athens-Clarke County Extension and the Solid Waste Department are accepting applications for the 2015 Georgia Master Composter Program.

Classes will be held Wednesday mornings from February 4 through April 1 at the Athens-Clarke County Solid Waste Department. Providing relevant training for the apartment-dweller, backyard gardener, restaurateur and farmer, Master Composter topics include the chemistry and microbiology of composting, types of composting, various composting techniques, troubleshooting compost problems, using compost to amend garden soil and more. Instructors are a combination of UGA faculty, Athens-Clarke County and U.S. Forest Service staff, and small and commercial business owners.

After completing the course, master composters will assist UGA Extension in providing composting information to the community through 40 hours of volunteer service within their first year of graduating from the class and 20 hours each year thereafter. Volunteer hours must be completed in order to retain an active certification.

The cost for the program is $150 and includes 20 hours of course instruction, the Georgia Master Composter handbook, name badge, shirt, class handouts, certificate and graduation reception upon course completion. Applications must be submitted by January 26.

For more information or to download the 2015 application, visit www.ugaextension.com/clarke/anr or call (706) 613-3640.