Folsom students hosted Laurie D. today, who presented composting to students. Students experienced "hands-on" activities such as creating a base for the composter using brown materials, such as the Burlington Free Press. The Free Press makes an excellent choice because it is printed with vegetable based inks. Students also learned to mascerate eggs shells with a mortar and pestle, which provides Calcium for the composter and is important for maintaining the pH balance. Students also learned to chop household waste scraps, such as corn stalks and kiwi rinds. Students finally added water but Laurie ensured that the students paused to consider the source of water. She commented that many local water supplies contain additives, such as chlorine, which can negatively impact uses of compost in gardens, which is our long term goal.
After the "hands-on" activities, students joined Laurie on a site walk to evaluate several possible sites for our future composter. She advised the students to consider the impact of sunlight, water drainage from buildings and ease of use throughout the year.
More than anything else, however, she challenged the students to critically consider both our model for composting and the connection between our compost, our garden and our food.
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