The Environment Council of Rhode Island, in conjunction with many partners in the Compost Industry, will present the 2013 Rhode Island Compost Conference and Trade Show. It’s on Friday February 8, 2013 beginning at 8:30 AM at the Johnson and Wales University Harborside Recreation Center, 305 Shipyard St in Providence.
This year there is both a new location, Johnson & Wales University graciously agreed to host the conference, and a new format including a variety of panels focused on developing the compost industry and practice in Rhode Island.
The keynote speaker will be Gretel Clark, the spark behind the successful Hamilton MA compost collection program, which has spread from a pilot to a full community program. She will have much to offer us.
Other featured speakers include Mike Merner of Earthcare Farm, Ken Ayars, chief of the RI Division of Agriculture, Matt Genuso of Chez Pascal discussing how to collect compostables at a restaurant, state representative Art Handy, chair of the House Environment Committee, Dr. Robert Rafka of the URI Master Composters speaking on compost science, Paul Frade of PF Trading discusiing the ahauling of commercial food scrap for composting, and vendors for Big Hanna and Biogreen 360, in vessel aerobic systems for institutions. We will see more sectors of the industry than at previous conferences and more for home composters than ever.
The trade show will include a number of compost oriented businesses highlighting new trends in the industry and products individuals and businesses can use to help them manage their food scrap.
Registration is available at http://www.environmentcouncilri.org/content/compost-conference-registration. For information Environment Council of Rhode island 401-621-8048
Trade show participants include:
- Buxton Hollow Farm
- Earthcare Farm
- ecoRI News
- Focused Sustainability Consulting Group, LLC
- Full Circle Recycling
- Johnson & Wales University
- Newport Biodiesel
- RI Resource Recovery Corporation
- Southside Community Land Trust
- URI Master Composters
- Vegware
- Waste Management
RI Compost Conference and Trade Show Friday February 8, 2013
Johnson & Wales University Harborside Recreation Center
SCHEDULE
8:30 AM Registration begins and trade show opens.
9 AM Welcome Greetings From hosts, conveners, and dignitaries
9:25 AM Charge for the day
9:35 AM Keynote Gretel Clark Hamilton MA compost program
10:15 AM announcements
10:20 AM head to workshops
First session of panels 10:30 to 11;25
Solutions for restaurants Matt Genusio Chez Pascal Paul Frade PF Trading
Home composting Nancy Warner Worm Ladies of Charlestown Reinhard Sidor URI Master Composters
Compost science Dr. Robert Rafka URI Master Composters
The environment in RI for advances in composting Frank Jacques Buxton Hollow Farm Greg Gerritt RI Compost Initiative
Second session 11:35 to 12:30
Solutions for institutions Scott Miller JWU Jim Murphy RIC David Temple Vegware
The state of compost on Smith Hill Rep. Art Handy
In vessel aerobic composting John Clifford Big Hanna Bill Hanley Biogreen 360
Compost, soil, and food in Rhode Island Mike Merner Earthcare Farm Ken Ayars RIDEM
Lunch and Trade Show at 12:30 in the exhibition hall
2 PM panel what next Panelists Michael O’Connell RIRRC RIEDC invited
3 PM next steps closing
3:15 PM Trade show