Collective Resource Compost’s Spring Finished Compost Gift-Back

Wednesday, May 3, 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm

Sunday, May 7, 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Wednesday, May 10, 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm

Location: The Talking Farm’s Howard Street Farm at 3669 Howard St., Skokie

Details: On three days in May, Collective Resource Compost will be opening up their Spring Finished Compost Giftback to the public. Every spring, they gift their customers 10 gallons of finished compost as a thank you for using their container-swap composting service. Collective Resource Compost is hosting this event at The Talking Farm’s Howard Street Farm at 3669 Howard St., Skokie, IL. Participants are encouraged to bring buckets, bags, Rubbermaid containers in which to bring home their $1-a-gallon, made-in-Illinois compost. This is also an opportunity to purchase compost without also purchasing a plastic bag.

https://collectiveresource.us/

 

Compost Giveaway BYO(B)ucket & Native Planting/Restoration Tours: SWALCO and Village of Hainesville

May 7, 10:00 am – 3:00 pm

Location: Hainesville Village Hall, Hainesville Village Hall, 100 Hainesville Road, Hainesville

Details: Bring your own buckets for FREE COMPOST made right here in Illinois! 20 gallons per household while supplies last. Site will provide the shovels. Also visit native plantings and learn about the restoration work the Village has done at The Gathering Place (located near the gazebo on the north side of Village Hall). Hosted by SWALCO and the Village of Hainesville. Opportunity to meet and talk with State Senator Mary Edly-Allen and State Representative Laura Faver Dias. Opportunity to win one of several kitchen counter-top pails or another fun giveaway as supplies last.

 

Compost Giveaway BYO(B)ucket: SWALCO, City of Highland Park, Park District of Highland Park & Go Green Highland Park

          May 7, 10:00 am – 3:00 pm

          The Preserve (Parking Lot), Park District of Highland Park, 1207 Park Ave. West, Highland Park, IL

          Bring your own buckets for free compost made right here in Illinois! 20 gallons per household while supplies last.  Compost provided by                SWALCO, event also sponsored and hosted by Park District of Highland Park, Go Green Highland Park, and City of Highland Park.

Compost Giveaway BYO(B)ucket: SWALCO and Village of Island Lake

May 7, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm

Location: Island Lake Village Hall 3720 Greenleaf Ave, Island Lake

Details: Bring your own buckets for free compost made right here in Illinois! 20 gallons per household while supplies last. Site will provide the shovels. Learn how to sign up for municipal/residential curbside compost, why it’s important and how easy it is to get started. Free kitchen pails to the first who pledge to participate, while supplies last. Hosted by SWALCO and the Village of Island Lake.

Compost Giveaway BYO(B)ucket: SWALCO and Lincolnshire

May 7, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm

Location: Spring Lake Park, 49 Oxford Dr, Lincolnshire

Details: The Village of Lincolnshire and SWALCO will be celebrating International Compost Awareness with a FREE COMPOST Giveaway BYOB (Bring your own Bucket – 20 Gallons per household while supplies last). They’ll also provide information on the municipal curbside composting program with a free kitchen countertop bin giveaway, while supplies last. The Village has other special activities planned: The Lincolnshire Garden Club will also lead tours and answer questions about the new Monarch Butterfly Waystation Gardens and other revitalization work taking place at Spring Lake Park’s Blue Star Memorial, a site dedicated to honor all U.S. Armed Servicemembers. Attendees will receive pollinator seed packets, while supplies last, for their home gardens! At Spring Lake Park.

Compost Giveaway BYO(B)ucket: SWALCO and Vernon Hills

May 7, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm

Location: Vernon Hills Park District, Century Park, 1400 Indianwood Drive, Vernon Hills

Details: Soil Loves Compost! BYOB — Bring your own bucket for FREE COMPOST made right here in Illinois! 20 gallons per household while supplies last. Hosts will supply the shovels. SWALCO, Vernon Hills Park District and Go Green Vernon Hills & Lincolnshire, will have displays and activities related to compost, including backyard composting, curbside composting and more. Compost kitchen pails to those who “sign up” for curbside composting via Village of Vernon Hills municipal program (while supplies last).

Eden Restoration Community Garden Open House & Compost Giveaway BYO(B) ucket

May 7, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm

Location: 1162 Arrington, North Chicago

Details: Eden Restoration Project open house & tour. SWALCO & Eden will also offer a free compost giveaway – 20 gallons per household while supplies last. BYOB — Bring your own buckets! We will be promoting healthy growing, eating, independence through growing your own food, with tastings, lessons and tours at the site!

 

Compost Giveaway BYO(B)ucket: SWALCO and Village of Wauconda

May 7, 9:00 am – 2:00 pm

Location: Wauconda Village Hall. 101 N. Main Street, Wauconda

Details: Bring your own buckets for free compost made right here in Illinois! 20 gallons per household while supplies last. Site will provide the shovels. Learn how to “sign up for” municipal/residential curbside compost, why it’s important and how easy it is to get started. Free kitchen pails to the first who pledge to participate while supplies last. Hosted by SWALCO and the Village of Wauconda.

Compost Giveaway BYO(B)ucket: SWALCO and Village of Gurnee

          May 13, 10:00 am – 3:00 pm

          Village of Gurnee Public works Department, 1151 Kilbourne Road, Gurnee, IL

          Bring your own buckets for free compost made right here in Illinois! 20 gallons per household while supplies last. Site will provide the                  shovels. Hosted by SWALCO and the Village of Gurnee.

May 7 – 13, 2023: Evanston Compost Resources, Drop-off & Activities

Location: Robert Crown Branch Library, 1801 Main St, Evanston

Time: Drop-in and designated program times (contact library for more info)

Event: Compost education!

Details: The Robert Crown Branch Library in Evanston is celebrating ICAW week with a book display for children and adults, educational coloring pages, a childrens’ activity, access to Compost 101 flyers and free compost bins. Please note that the City of Evanston provides a permanent compost drop-off at the Robert Crown Center (located at the same address) free of charge for anyone who wants to take advantage of it and compost their food scraps. Stop in during library hours to view the displays; please contact the library for more information, and for special program dates and times. (Note: there will be a super fun compost storytime on May 11th at 10:30am, registration required.)

2023 ICAW contact: MRampale@swalco.org

 

May 7, 2023: One Hour Compost Presentation with Q&A, Adults

Location: West Town Branch – Chicago Public Library, 1625 W Chicago Ave

Time: 2:00 pm

Event: One hour presentation about composting and Q&A. How-to and more!

Details: Registration Required. Please contact West Town Branch.

2023 ICAW contact: marjiei@gmail.com

May 9, 2023: Read Aloud, K-4th grade

Location: Park Ridge Library, 20 S Prospect Ave

Time: 4:00 pm – 4:45 pm

Event: Celebrate International Compost Awareness Week (ICAW) with our friends from the Illinois Food Scrap & Composting Coalition (IFSCC)! They will share stories, information and sorting activities which will provide a fun, colorful introduction to the world of composting.

Details: K – Up. Registration Required. Begins 3 weeks prior to program. Please contact Park Ridge Public Library.

2023 ICAW contact: illinoiscomposts@gmail.com

 

May 9, 2023: All About Composting with Go Green Highland Park

Location: Highland Park Library, 494 Laurel Ave

Time: Drop-in between 1:30 pm – 4:00 pm

Event: All About Composting with Go Green Highland Park.

Details: Celebrate International Compost Awareness Week (ICAW) with our friends from Go Green Highland Park! Stop by the lobby to hear personal stories and tips for both backyard and curbside composting. Unearth the meaning of “greens and browns” and get the scoop on compostable products. Dig in to finished compost and discover the many ways it can improve soil health for your plants and yard. This is a drop-in event.

2023 ICAW contact: gghpinfo@gmail.com 

May 11, 2023: Home Composting Solutions

Location: Chicago Park Library, Albany Park, 3401 W. Foster Avenue

Time: 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm

Event: In person compost presentation

Details: Stop Wasting Food! Join members of the Hollywood North Park Community Association Green Team, Illinois Food Scrap & Composting Coalition, and Illinois Master Gardener program as we recognize and celebrate International Composting Awareness Week. Come and learn about free at-home and fee-for-service composting options and composting pilots happening at community gardens across Chicago! We’ll be giving away an OXO countertop food scrap bin to a lucky winner. Kids and teens 6 to 19 are welcome when accompanied by an adult. Registration required HERE.

2023 ICAW contact: zsamaras57@gmail.com

 

May 12, 2023: Make compost in a bag with Sustain Rockford

Location: 214 N Church St, Rockford Public Library, Hart Interim Branch

Time: 3:00 pm

Event: Composting: Nature’s Recyclers

Details: Learn how to make compost in a bag and take home an educational resource. Please contact the Rockford Public Library.

2023 ICAW contact: illinoiscomposts@gmail.com

 

May 12, 2023: Home Composting Workshop

Location: Klehm Arboretum & Botanic Garden 2715 South Main Street Rockford

Time: 10:00 am – 11:00 am

Event: Workshop with Randy Mermel, On-Farm Educator at Angelic Organics Learning Center

Details: Learn various methods, systems, and recipes for success to get the most out of your compost. Eventbrite to register (required) HERE.

2023 ICAW contact: illinoiscomposts@gmail.com

 

May 13, 2023: Book Bike and more

Location: Private residence in Morton Grove (please contact illinoiscomposts@gmail.com for address)

Time: 2 pm – 4pm

Event: Compost party, book bike and tour

Details: The Morton Grove Library Book Bike will be part of Go Green Morton Grove’s Compost Party and Tour. The bike will be loaded with eco-friendly titles and related items from the Library of Things Collection, like a soil tester. After a celebration with local residents and representatives from Collective Resource Compost, participants will be invited to tour the backyards of several community members to learn how they compost.

2023 ICAW contact: illinoiscomposts@gmail.com

 

May 13, 2023: Storytime on the Farm

Location: West Pullman, 11958 S. Union Avenue (We Sow We Grow Urban Farm)

Time: Drop-in between 10:00 am – 4:00pm

Event: Storytime for kids

Details: We will show different type of composting (worm, tumbler, container, etc) with story time on the farm or at our local library if the weather doesn’t cooperate. RAIN PLAN: West Pullman Public Library

ICAW 2023 contact: natasha@wesowwegrow.org

 

May 13, 2023: Sustain DuPage Community Garden

Time: 10:00 am – 1:00 pm

Location: 1926 N. Main Street, Wheaton, IL –on the grounds of the Theosophical Society (The Sustain DuPage Community Compost is part of the Sustain DuPage garden. There is street parking in front of the garden which is on the Northwest side of the Theosophical society main building.)

Event: Sustain DuPage Community Garden. Running a community garden using food scraps.

Details: Gardening! Food composting! You can see it all in action at our beautiful community garden. See and learn how to grow food in a garden using food scraps as compost! Are you interested in starting your own food scrap compost project or community garden using community food scraps? Volunteers will be there all day to answer questions.

ICAW 2023 contact: zwastekate@gmail.com 

 

May 7 – 13, 2023: Book & Resource Displays

Vernon Area Public Library, Youth Department @ 300 Olde Half Day Rd,

Highland Park Libary @ 494 Laurel Ave, Highland Park, IL

Aspen Library @ 701 Aspen Drive, Vernon Hills, IL

Cook Park Library  @ 413 N. Milwaukee Ave., Libertyville, IL

2023 ICAW contact: MRampale@swalco.org

Please use the REGISTER FOR ADVENTURES IN COMPOSTING button above for any of the events described below. Events are organized alphabetically by town name.

Please note that events with a include both an adventure and the opportunity for participants to bring their own container to get finished compost. All the BYO container events are also pulled out in a section below and are available to anyone from Illinois (you do not need to live in the community to get finished compost.) ENJOY!

Events with a have an education focus – learn to compost and use finished compost, etc.

Beecher – Open House & Adventures on the Farm @ Tulip Tree Gardens

10:00 am to 4:00 pm

Tulip Tree Gardens @ 1236 E Eagle Lake Rd, Beecher, IL 60401

Come out to Tulip Tree and connect back to the soil and your farmers. Explore the diversity on the farm including our compost operation, vermicompost, and greenhouse. Join them in the field. Farrowing barn will be open to view piglets and learn how these animals help to regnerate the soil. Farm stand will be open stocked with local goods, pasture raised meat, dairy, produce, and more for purchase. Tulip Tree will also be cooking farm to table food available for purchase from 11-4. Parking and facillities available.

Burr Ridge – Compost & Cocktails @ Black Cherry Farm

1:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Black Cherry Farm. Theresa J.’s home/backyard @ 8869 Elm Avenue, Burr Ridge, IL.

Compost and Cocktails. Come out for a composting crash course, tour of compost use on the farm, and a Q&A while sipping compost-connected cocktails. Your hosts look forward to engaging conversations with participants who have had successes and failures with compost, as well as first-timers full of questions. This event is geared toward adults, but kiddie-cocktails will be served too, and children are welcome to join the event and learn from the Johnston composting kids. Black Cherry Farm is a small homestead with a vegetable garden, orchard, vineyard, chickens and bees. They make compost with yard waste, food scraps and chicken manure and utilie the compost on their garden and orchard.

Chicago – Garden and Compost Bin tour @ Maxwell Street Community Garden

10:00 am to 4:00 pm

Maxwell Street Community Garden @ 1150 W. 13th Street, Chicago 60608

Beautiful garden next door to University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) campus. Garden has bins and composts all of their trimmings. Information will be shared on processes used to compost community garden trimmings. Bins set up and you can see compost at various stages.

Chicago – Composting Presentation at Chicago Library’s West Town Branch

2:00 pm

West Town Branch of the Chicago Public Library @ 1625 W. Chicago Ave., Chicago, IL 60622

Marjorie Isaacson will offer a presentation on compost at the West Town Branch of the Chicago Public Library.

Chicago – Celebration of Compost @ Carl Von Linne Elementary School

1:00 pm – 3:00 pm

Carl Von Linne Elementary School @ 3221 N Sacramento Ave Chicago, IL 60618

A celebration of composting education and demonstration in the Linne Elementary school playground, including English and Spanish language resources. The event will feature snacks made from produce cultivated or rescued in our local community. Community partners include FRIENDS OF CARL VON LINNE SCHOOL (“FCVL”) and Avondale Gardening Alliance. In April, 2023, Linne is proudly relaunching its food scrap composting program. Activities will take place at the school.

Evanston – Composting Displays @ Robert Crown Branch of Evanston Library

12:00 Noon to 6:00 pm

Robert Crown Library Branch of Evanston Library @ 1801 Main St, Evanston, IL 60202

The Robert Crown Branch Library in Evanston is celebrating ICAW week with book displays for children and adults, educational coloring pages, a childrens’ activity, access to Compost 101 flyers and free compost bins. Please note that the City of Evanston provides a permanent compost drop-off at the Robert Crown Center (located at the same address) free of charge for anyone who wants to take advantage of it and compost their food scraps. Kick-off Adventures in Composting Sunday, stop in during library hours to view the displays and take part in other activities; please contact the library for more information, and for special program dates and times. For more dates, see Multiple Dates – Library Programs link on this web page.

Hainesville – Compost Giveaway BYOB & Native Planting/Restoration Tours

10:00 am – 3:00 pm

Hainesville Village Hall @ 100 Hainesville Road, Hainesville, IL. 60042

Bring your own buckets for FREE COMPOST made right here in Illinois! 20 gallons per household while supplies last. Site will provide the shovels. Also visit native plantings and learn about the restoration work the Village has done at The Gathering Place (located near the gazebo on the north side of Village Hall). Hosted by SWALCO and the Village of Hainesville. Opportunity to meet and talk with State Senator Mary Edly-Allen and State Representative Laura Faver Dias. Opportunity to win one of several kitchen counter-top pails or another fun giveaway as supplies last.

Highland Park – Compost Giveaway BYO(B)ucket: SWALCO, City of Highland Park, Park District of Highland Park & Go Green Highland Park

           May 7, 10:00 am – 3:00 pm

           The Preserve (Parking Lot), Park District of Highland Park, 1207 Park Ave. West, Highland Park, IL

           Bring your own buckets for free compost made right here in Illinois! 20 gallons per household while supplies last. Compost provided by                 SWALCO, event also sponsored and hosted by Park District of Highland Park, Go Green Highland Park, and City of Highland Park.

Highland Park – Adventures in Composting, hosted by Bluegrass and Go Green Highland Park

1:00 pm – 3:00 pm

Bluegrass Restaurant @ 1636 Old Deerfield Rd, Highland Park, IL 60035

Go Green Highland Park and Bluegrass Restaurant owner, Jim Lederer, invite you and your family to kickoff International Compost Awareness Week at our “Adventures in Composting” Open House and Trivia Challenge at Bluegrass HP. Learn how to compost in your backyard with great tips from our friends at SWALCO. Or, if that’s not your cup of “compost tea”, find out how you can start adding food scraps to your yard waste today and have them whisked away on your next regular pickup day.Get started at home with a free countertop food scrap bin when you sign our composting pledge. Thank you, SWALCO!But wait, there’s more! Be there at 2:00 P.M. for our Compost Trivia Challenge and find out if the adults are smarter than the D112 Zero Waste Agents, or if they’ll end up “in the dirt.” Stay tuned for details!Come and enjoy light bites and beverages while celebrating International Compost Awareness Week right here in Highland Park.See you there!

Island Lake – Compost Giveaway BYOB (Bring Your Own Bucket!) & More

10:00 am – 2:00 pm

Victory Garden (within Veteran’s Park) @ 316 Island Dr, Island Lake, IL 60042

Bring your own buckets for FREE COMPOST made right here in Illinois! 20 gallons per household while supplies last. Site will provide the shovels. Learn how to sign up for municipal/residential curbside compost, why it’s important and how easy it is to get started. Free kitchen pails to the first who pledge to participate, while supplies last. Take a tour of the gardens. Hosted by SWALCO, Village of Island Lake and Parks and Lakes Commission. Activities will take place at the Island Lake Victory Garden (within Veteran’s Park).

La Grange – Family Composting at Pleasantdale Elementary School

10:00 am – 12:00 pm

Pleasantdale Elementary School, 8100 School Ave., La Grange, IL. 60525

Learn about what compost is and how it helps our soil and hear about Pleasantdale Elementary School’s composting program and how a composting system can be set up at home, school, or work.You’ll also learn more about the different components of compost.Take part in kid-friendly activities including compost relay races, and tour the butterfly garden. Students will share their experiences.The event is geared towards families with children, but all are welcome, Near the butterfly garden at Pleasantdale Elementary School.

Libertyville – Composting Books and Resources @ Cook Park Library

1:00 pm – 5:00 pm

Cook Park Library of Cook Memorial @ 413 N. Milwaukee Ave., Libertyville, IL. 60048

Display of Composting Books & Resources at Cook Park Library of Cook Memorial.

Lincolnshire – Composting Display & Resources at Vernon Area Library

10:00 am – 5:00 pm

Vernon Area Public Library @ 300 Olde Half Day Rd., Lincolnshire, IL 60069

The Vernon Area Public Library will host a compost related book and resource display in the Youth Department throughout ICAW week. Stop by and “check things out”! For more dates, see Multiple Dates – Library Programs link on this web page.

Lincolnshire – Composting Fun at Spring Lake Park with Compost Giveaway BYOB (Bring your own Buckets)

10:00 am – 2:00 pm

Spring Lake Park @ 49 Oxford Dr, Lincolnshire, IL 60069

The Village of Lincolnshire and SWALCO will be celebrating International Compost Awareness with a FREE COMPOST Giveaway BYOB (Bring your own Bucket – 20 Gallons per household while supplies last). We’ll also provide information on the municipal curbside composting program with a free kitchen countertop bin giveaway, while supplies last. The Village has other special activities planned: The Lincolnshire Garden Club will also lead tours and answer questions about the new Monarch Butterfly Waystation Gardens and other revitalization work taking place at Spring Lake Park’s Blue Star Memorial, a site dedicated to honor all U.S. Armed Servicemembers. Attendees will receive pollinator seed packets, while supplies last, for their home gardens! At Spring Lake Park.

Long Grove – Mulch Center Event and Demo

10:00 am – 2:00 pm

Residential Demo Site @ 5161 Aptakisic Road, Long Grove, IL 60047

This is a residential lawn that will be the site of a multi-year demonstration on the effects of adding compost to turf. There will be a general discussion on how home owners can qualitatively assess soil health, some basic tests that can be done to get a baseline and then to track progress. There will also be a demonstration of equipment that can apply compost efficiently to a lawn. Compost provided by the Mulch Center.

Long Grove – Adventure in the Vineyard: Vineyard Tour, Wine Tasting & Wine Appreciation Seminar

12:00 pm – 1:30 pm – You must contact the vineyard and register, (847) 634-2831

Valentino Vineyard & Winery, 5175 Aptakisic Road, Long Grove, IL

Tour the Vineyard, Experience a Tasting of 5 Different Wines and enjoy a special Wine Appreciation Seminar. Your visit to this 20 acre Estate Vineyard & Winery is truly something to experience and see. Valentino grows twenty different varieties of grapevines, and produces more than 20 different wines, aged in French and American oak barrels, and bottled there. On the tour you’ll also learn a bit about his eco-friendly practices including composting, use of compost, and how it protects their precious Italian grapes! To visit the vineyard and attend this Adventure you must register by May 1. Regular cost for the vineyard tour, wine tasting and wine appreciation seminar is $69.00 but if you call Rudy and use the word COMPOST by May 1, the total cost will be discounted to $29.00 per person – a savings of $40.00. Thank you to Valentino Vineyards for this special never-done-before accommodation to celebrate Adventures in Composting and ICAW. Vineyard is open only to people who have contacted Rudy by May 1. Rain or Shine! If the 12:00 Noon event fills up they may offer a 2nd slot at 2:30 pm.

Mt. Prospect – Backyard Bin Demonstration @ Backyard Composting Service

10:00 am to 4:00 pm

Backyard Composting Service @ 1404 Lama Lane, Mt. Prospect, Illinois 60056

Backyard bin demo with info on process, services and cost. Outside bin for landscape trimmings and food scraps. Includes red wiggler composting worms in the demo. Rain or shine – will be under a tent. Other notes: Offering an Adventures in Composting promotion – up to 25% off compost services.

North Chicago – Eden Restoration Community Garden Open House & Compost Giveaway BYOB (Bring your Own Bucket!)

10:00 am – 4:00 pm

Eden Restoration, North Chicago Commons, 1162 Arrington Drive, North Chicago, IL 60064

Eden Restoration Project open house & tour. SWALCO & Eden will also offer a FREE COMPOST giveaway – 20 gallons per household. BYOB — Bring your own buckets! We will be promoting healthy growing, eating, independence through growing your own food, with tastings, lessons and tours at the site! At their North Shore Commons, North Chicago site.

Palatine – A “Red Wiggler” Buffet — Vermicomposting at Home!

10:00 am to 4:00 pm

The Figlewicz Home @ 1140 W. Wood Street in Palatine, 60067

Join Barb & John at their home where they’ll have their worm farm set up with a display and video and show you just how easy it is to have your own. They’ll show you how these little ones turn vegetables scraps, used coffee grounds and egg shells into rich “vermicompost” which they use to enrich their gardens. Resources, tips and tricks will be shared and they’ll offer some light refreshements including lemonade, coffee and cookies! Driveway and street parking will be available.

Palatine – Backyard Composting Demo, Garden Tour and Visit

10:00 am to 4:00 pm

Keehn Home & Garden, Keehn Home @ 24 West Robertson Street, Palatine, IL 60067

Join Kevin as he shows you around his beautiful garden and backyard composting system. He has constructed a cylindrical compost pen in the back yard for yard, garden, and kitchen scrap. He will be doing a live demo so you can learn how to build one yourself. Depending on the size, you can absorb waste for 3-5 years, move it to another spot, and get started again. The compost produced is the finest black dirt you can apply to your garden/soil.

Skokie – Spring Finished Collective Resources Giftback

1:00 pm – 4:00 pm

The Talking Farm’s Howard Street Farm @ 3669 Howard St., Skokie IL 60076

Collective Resource Composting will be opening up their Spring Finished Compost Giftback to the public. Every spring, they gift their customers 10 gallons of finished compost as a thank you for using our container-swap composting service. At Collective Resource Compost is hosting this event at The Talking Farm’s Howard Street Farm in Skokie. Participants are encouraged to bring buckets, bags, Rubbermaid containers in which to bring home their $1-a-gallon, made-in-Illinois compost. This is also an opportunity to purchase compost without also purchasing a plastic bag. For more dates, see Multiple Dates – Compost BYO Container Events link on this web page.

Urbana- UIUC Campus, From the Ground Up

10:00 am – 2:00 pm

University of Illinois Champaign Urbana @ 1404 W. Green St. Urbana, IL 61801

This will be a tabling event outside of the campus Union building. We will have flyers and posters with information on composting, the process, the benefits, and how to compost as a student. We will have visual aids of compost and hoping to offer a compost activity or kit for students to participate in.

Vernon Hills – Composting Books and Resources @ Aspen Drive Library

1:00 pm – 5:00 pm

Aspen Drive Library of Cook Memorial @ 701 Aspen Drive, Vernon Hills, IL 60061

Display of Composting Books & Resources at Aspen Drive Library of Cook Memorial.

Vernon Hills – Compost Extravaganza & Giveaway BYOB!

10:00 am – 2:00 pm

Century Park of Vernon Hills Park District @ 1400 Indianwood Drive, Vernon Hills, IL 60061

Soil Loves Compost! BYOB — Bring your own bucket for FREE COMPOST made right here in Illinois! 20 gallons per household. Hosts will supply the shovels. SWALCO, Vernon Hills Park District and Go Green Vernon Hills & Lincolnshire, will have displays and activities related to compost, including backyard composting, curbside composting and more. Compost kitchen pails to those who “sign up” for curbside composting via Village of Vernon Hills municipal program (while supplies last). Join us for a fun day in Century Park.

Wauconda – Compost Giveaway BYOB (Bring Your Own Bucket) and more with Village of Wauconda, SWALCO and Wauconda Garden Club

10:00 am – 2:00 pm

Village of Wauconda Public Works Department @ 302 Slocum Road, Wauconda, IL 60084

Bring your own buckets for FREE COMPOST made right here in Illinois! 20 gallons per household while supplies last. Site will provide the shovels. Learn how to “sign up for” municipal/residential curbside compost, why it’s important and how easy it is to get started. Free kitchen pails to the first who pledge to participate while supplies last. At Public Works. Hosted by SWALCO and the Village of Wauconda. The Wauconda Garden Club will also be on site to share information about Native Plants and Monarch Butterfly Conservation efforts.

Waukegan – Composting Adventures in Green Town

3:00 pm – 5:00 pm

First Baptist Church of Waukegan @ 401 N. Genessee St., Waukegan, IL. 60079

You may have read or are familiar with Ray Bradbury’s award winning stories where he talks about his hometown, GreenTown, Illinois. He was writing about Waukegan! Join First Baptist Church and Cool Learning. Students will offer vermicomposting demos and have other resources on compost and composting available. Please note parking and activites will be on the 400 block of Sheridan Road side of the building. Consider taking a drive down to the lakefront just minutes away, before or after your adventure.

Wyanet – Fun with Worms @ Annie’s Home Farm

10:00 am – 4:00 pm

Annie’s Home Farm @ 15866 1275 North Avenue, Wyanet, IL. 61379

Annie’s works locally to reduce the amount of food waste sent to landfills by collecting and composting organic materials. Red Wiggler worms transform waste into treasure! Tours will be offered of the farm starting at the top of the hour from 10 am until last tour at 3 pm. Visitors can see their micro-hauling system, hot composting process, the amazing red wiggler worms and harvesting methods they use to separate the worms from the finished vermicast. Dress for outdoors with boots if it has been raining. Please stop at railroad crossing just before Annie’s as it is unmarked and a busy route. Gloves recommended.

Time:  12:00 pm – 1:00 pm

Location:  Virtual event

Description: Grab your lunch and join IFSCC to learn about the status of food scrap- and compost-related policy in Illinois and beyond, including:

• legislation that’s been introduced this year,
• how you can support what’s been introduced, and
• how to turn your ideas into initiatives no matter where you are.

Speakers:

• Liz Kunkle, Illinois Food Scrap & Composting Coalition, Policy Committee Co-Chair
• Andrea Collins, Natural Resources Defense Council

Registration Link HERE

Time:  7:00 – 8:30 pm

Location: Zoom

Description: We’ll be sharing snippets and stories from around the globe, featuring compost/composting, food and food waste diversion, hunger and other related topics.  We’re inviting those interest in composting, soil, growing food, gardeners, teachers, educators, students, government employees, farmers and all to join us.

• We’ll be stopping over in almost every continent on the planet, so grab yourself a “cuppa”, strap yourself in and get set for a very special trip around this beautiful Earth of ours.
• Shared planet. Shared responsibility.  Food waste is not wasted when we compost.  Compost can make the soil and plants healthier.
• We hope you’ll share some smiles, be inspired and learn something new as you travel with us.

Presenters:  Merleanne Rampale, Monica Chen and Theresa Johnston.

Get ready to smile and be inspired!

COMPOST CAN CHANGE THE WORLD!

Registration Link HERE

Time: 4:00 pm – 5:30 pm

Location: UIC Forum, 1213 S Halsted Ave, Chicago

Description: Join compost professionals for networking, appetizers and the opportunity to win compost-related prizes. This ‘Appy Hour is open to all!

Registration: HERE.