Compost Gift-Backs and Bring Your Own Container events: Take home nutrient-rich compost for your own home gardens, landscaping, and yards! Note: Each site has their own unique fee structure and policies.

COOK COUNTY

Park Ridge / Native Plant Sale & Compost Giveaway

Time:  Friday, May 10th @ 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM

Address:  Maine East High School, 2601 Dempster St, Park Ridge, IL

Description:  Dozens of species of Native Plants available at $4 per plug. Two types of kits available for sunny areas with 11 plants for $40, https://mehsplantsale.weebly.com/ Free compost giveaway for International Compost Awareness Week sponsored by the Park Ridge Park District. Bring your own 5 gallon bucket or container. Note: first come, first served. Enter Maine East at Dempster and Dee Road. Maine East Ecology Club is a co-sponsor of this event.

Skokie / Spring Finished Compost Gift-Back

Time:  Sunday, May 5th @ 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Address:  3669 Howard St., Skokie, IL

Description:  Collective Resource Compost Cooperative’s annual Spring Finished Compost Gift-Back. Open to the public for International Compost Awareness Week for the public to purchase food-scrap amended compost made in Chicago for the reasonable cost of $5/5 gallons. Participants should bring their own containers. Park in the Tot Learning Center parking lot.

LAKE COUNTY

Bannockburn/SWALCO Compost Giveback/Giveaway, Composting Resources and Plant Giveaway

Date and Time: Saturday, May 11th @ 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM

Location: Bannockburn Village Hall –2275 Telegraph Road, Bannockburn, IL 60015 (Back of Village Hall)

Details: The Village of Bannockburn and SWALCO will celebrate International Compost Awareness Week with a FREE COMPOST giveaway! BYOB (Bring Your Own Bucket) to shovel-up your own locally sourced compost while supplies last. Every household is eligible to scoop-up 20 gallons of compost at no cost. Staff will also provide information about Bannockburn’s municipal curbside composting program through LRS, the Village’s residential waste hauler. Bannockburn residents who pledge to compost will also receive a free kitchen countertop bin to help start their composting journey. Additionally, the Village and The Bannockburn Garden and Social Arts Club will distribute a limited quantity of free milkweed plants to Bannockburn residents to promote Monarch Butterfly and pollinator awareness.

Grayslake / BYO(B)ucket: Lake County Illinois Extension, Ask a Master Gardener Q&A!

Date and Time:  Wednesday, May 8th @ 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Location: Lake County University of Illinois Extension Office, 100 US-45, Grayslake, 60031 IL

Details: Compost Giveback/Giveaway BYO(Bucket), Seed Giveaway and Master Gardeners Resources: Wednesday, May 8th 11am-3pm. Compost Information booth and Ask a Master Gardener booth to assist everyone with their gardening and compost needs. Information handouts available as well as Master Gardeners and Extension Staff of site to answer questions. Shovels will be provided – bring your own buckets.

Gurnee / Adventure in composting Spring compost giveaway

Time:  Saturday, May 11th @ 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Address:  Village of Gurnee Public Works @ 1151 Kilbourne Road, Gurnee, IL 60031

Description:  Adventure in Composting on Saturday, May 11 Spring Compost Giveaway at the Gurnee Public Works Facility : On Saturday, May 11th from 10am to 3pm, the Village of Gurnee and Solid Waste Agency of Lake County (SWALCO) will be giving away compost at the Gurnee Public Works Facility located at 1151 Kilbourne Rd. Please stop by too to learn more about composting and pick up other resources. Free to Residents (Noncommercial use). First come, first serve basis while supplies lasts. Self-serve and shovel on site just bring your own bucket. 20 gallons per household while supplies last. Businesses/institutions are prohibited.

Hainesville / Compost giveaway

Date and Time: Saturday, May 11th @ 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Address:  Hainesville Village Hall, 100 Hainesville Road, Hainesville, IL. 60042

Description:  Hainesville – Compost Giveback/Give-away BYOB & Native Planting/Restoration Tours.  Bring your own buckets for FREE COMPOST made right here in Illinois! 20 gallons per household while supplies last. Pick up other composting resources and learn more about opportunities to participate in the Village’s curbside composting program.  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 giveback/giveaway will be at back of Village Hall.

Highland Park / Spring Compost Giveaway

Date and Time:  Sunday, May 5th @ 9:00 AM – Noon

Address:  1207 Park Ave W, Highland Park, IL 60035

Description:  SWALCO & City of Highland Park will offer free, local, made-in-Illinois finished compost to residents. Go Green Highland Park will provide information and answer questions related to the curbside composting program through LRS. Residents who pledge to compost will receive a free kitchen pail to help start their composting journey. Additionally, guests can learn about backyard composting and talk with a local resident who enjoys vermicomposting, with the help of worms. Maximum of 20 gallons per household. Please bring your own buckets. Shovels provided. Compost is available while supply lasts. The event will take place in the Northeast corner of the parking lot.

Island Lake / Compost Giveaway BYOB (Bring Your Own Bucket!), Garden & Composting Resources & More

Date and Time: Saturday, May 11th @ 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM

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

Details: Join us at the Victory Garden for a day of fun…. 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).

Lake Barrington / Spring Compost Giveback/Giveaway and activities with SWALCO and Cuba Township

Date and Time: Saturday, May 11th @ 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Address:  Cuba Township Offices, 28000 W. Cuba Road, Barrington, IL

Description:  Join us at the Township Offices for a day of fun…. Bring your own buckets for FREE COMPOST made right here in Illinois! Seeds will be given away. Learn how the Cuba Township Food Pantry helps to cut down on food waste. Hosted by SWALCO and Cuba Township. Other activities and compost and gardening info will be available. And look for another fun Adventure taking place right in the neighborhood! resources will be available as well – can you say Alpaca Farm? Learn how the Township works with them.

Mundelein / BYO(B)ucket: SWALCO and the Mundelein Tool Library

Date and Time:  Saturday, May 11th @ 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Location: 428 N. Chicago Ave, Mundelein, IL, 60060

Details: Bring your own buckets for free compost made right here in Illinois! 20 gallons per household (no businesses) while supplies last. Site will provide the shovels- one of the many types of tools they house and lend out. Hosted by the Mundelein Tool Library and SWALCO. First come, first served, while supplies last! Take a tour of the library, learn more about this wonderful lending non-profit and the other programs and resources they offer, and pick up composting resources as well.

North Chicago / Community Garden Open House & Compost Giveback/Giveaway sponsored by SWALCO, Growing Healthy Veterans and Eden Restoration

Date and Time:  Sunday, May 5th @ 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM and Saturday, May 11th @ 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Address:  North Chicago Commons, 1162 Arrington Drive, North Chicago, IL 60064

Description:  Bring your own buckets for FREE COMPOST made right here in Illinois! 20 gallons per household while supplies last. Site will provide the shovels. Free compost kitchen pails for scraps for those who pledge to participate in the Village’s curbside composting through our waste hauler, LRS, or those who will do backyard composting at home. Village staff will be joined by the Wauconda Garden Club and other green vendors.

Vernon Hills / Spring Compost Giveback/Giveback & More at Vernon Hills Park District with VHPD, SWALCO and Go Green Vernon Hills & Lincolnshire

Date and Time: Saturday, May 11th @ 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Address:  Vernon Hills Park District Maintenance @ 1400 Indianwood Trail, Vernon Hills, IL

Description:  Join us at the Park District for a day of fun…. Bring your own buckets for FREE COMPOST made right here in Illinois! 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, Vernon Hills Park District and Go Green Vernon Hills & Lincolnshire. Other activities and resources will be available as well.

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

Date and Time:  Sunday, May 5th @ 8 AM – 11 AM

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

Description:  Bring your own buckets for FREE COMPOST made right here in Illinois! 20 gallons per household while supplies last. Site will provide the shovels. Free compost kitchen pails for scraps for those who pledge to participate in the Village’s curbside composting through our waste hauler, LRS, or those who will do backyard composting at home. Village staff will be joined by the Wauconda Garden Club and other green vendors.

THE FOLLOWING EVENT STARTS ON SUNDAY, MAY 5th and CONTINUES THROUGHOUT THE WEEK

LAKE AND WAUCONDA COUNTIES

McHenry / ICAW Compost Super Sale!

Date and Time:  Throughout ICAW week Sunday, May 5 to Saturday, May 11, 2024

Address:  29353 N Darrell Rd McHenry, IL 60051

Description:  Help us celebration International Compost Awareness Week From Sunday, May 5 through Saturday, May 11! Get locally made compost (made right here in northern Illinois!) Get 20% Off Organimix Fine and Organimix Coarse Grade Compost by Using Code ICAW during this special week and sale. Customers can call to place order or come on-site for purchase. (847)393-6643

Check out all the wonderful things taking place

• at Illinois libraries (including special book and resource displays, presentations, activities and story-times)
• special events and happenings taking place at other gardens and venues

May 5-11, Brookfield Public Library, Sustainable Storytime, Composting Children’s Book Display, and Neighbors Teaching Neighbors Event: COMPOST… Nature’s Climate Champion!

Location:  The Linda Sokol Francis Brookfield Library @ 3541 Park Avenue, Brookfield, IL

Time:  Library Hours

Type of Event: Library Programs and Children’s Book Display

Description:   Parking lot and street parking available.

YOUTH SERVICES

May 5-11:  Composting Children’s Book Display:  An assortment of children’s book about composting will be on display in Youth Services for ICAW.

Tuesday, May 7 at 10:30 AM:  Sustainable Storytime: Celebrate International Composting Awareness Week with a special eco-themed story time! All Ages Welcome

ADULT SERVICES

Tuesday, May 7 at 7:00 PM:  COMPOST… Nature’s Climate Champion! Join the Brookfield Conservation Commission to celebrate International Composting Awareness Week! This Neighbors Teaching Neighbors event features local experts and residents discussing the benefits of composting for the global climate and our homes. We will cover various composting methods, from DIY to hired services, and answer your questions.

May 5-11, Vernon Area Public Library, will Celebrate ICAW with Display and Resources for the Public

Location:  Vernon Area Public Library, 300 Olde Half Day Road, Lincolnshire, IL 60069

Time:  Library Hours, Mon-Thurs 9AM-9PM, Fri and Sat 9AM-5PM, Sun 10AM-5PM

Type of Event: Compost Resources on Display

Description:  Vernon Library will host a book display and resource table filled with information about composting, sustainability and the environment with kids activities, how-to, fun infographics and more. Join them at the library throughout the week as we all celebrate ICAW 2024 and learn more about why it’s important to care for our soil and planet!

2024 ICAW contact: lmsmith@vapld.info

May 6th, 2024: IFSCC General Body Meeting during ICAW

Location: Zoom (email illinoiscomposts@gmail.com for link to join.)

Time: Noon – 1PM

Details: The City of Chicago, IFSCC Organization Member, will provide an overview of their new Food Scrap Drop-Off Program, which allows Chicago residents to drop off their household food scraps at one of 17 locations across the city.  IFSCC Gold Sustaining Member, Whole Earth Compost, will explain how they compost the food waste from the city’s program, helping Chicago meet its climate action goals and build healthy soil.

May 6th, 2024: Park Ridge Public Library,  All About Composting for Kids!

Location: Park Ridge Public Library, 20 S. Prospect Avenue.

Time: May 6th, 2024, 4:00-4:30pm

Type of Event: Library Program

Details: All About Composting for Kids program for Grades K and up: Celebrate International Compost Awareness Week (ICAW)! Students will hear stories, learn about compost and participate in a sorting activity. Register for a fun, colorful introduction to the world of composting.

2024 ICAW contact: leng@parkridgelibrary.org

May 5th-11th, 2024: Morton Grove Library Bookmark Contest

Location: Morton Grove Public Library, 6140 Lincoln Ave, Morton Grove, IL 60053

Time: Regular operating hours

Type of Event: Bookmark contest

Details: WasteNot is partnering with the Morton Grove Library for a bookmark design contest. Basically, residents can go to the library, get a handout with information on composting and ICAW, design a bookmark on the flyer, submit their design at the library, and WasteNot will choose a winner and have that design printed for the library!

2024 ICAW contact: tommy@wastenotcompost.com

May 5th-11th, 2024: Composting Books and Resources @ Cook Park Library

Location: Cook Park Library, 413 N Milwaukee Ave, Libertyville, IL 60048

Time: Regular operating hours

Type of Event: Compost resources on display

Details: The Cook Library will host a compost related book and resource display in the Youth Department throughout ICAW week. Stop by and “check things out”!

2024 ICAW contact: mphillips@cooklib.org

May 5th-11th, 2024: Frankfort Public Library Book display

Location: Frankfort Public Library, 21119 S. Pfeiffer Road, Frankfort, IL 60423

Time: Mon-Thur 9am-9pm, Fri-sat 9-5, Sun 1-5

Type of Event: Compost resources on display

Details: Frankfort Public Library District will feature a display highlighting composting books

2024 ICAW contact: jganeshan@frankfortlibrary.org

May 5th-11th, 2024: Bartlett Library ICAW Celebration

Location: Bartlett Public Library, 800 S. Bartlett Road, Bartlett, IL 60103

Time: 9 am-9pm M-Th; 9-6 Fri; and 9-5 Sat. and Sun.

Type of Event: Book Display

Details: The library will have a book and resource display up throughout International Compost Awareness Week from Sunday, May 5 through Saturday, May 11. Please visit the library during library hours to learn more about composting, food waste, soil, climate and more as we celebrate this important week together. Pick up a variety of resources including books, how-to and information sheets, kids activities and more. 

2024 ICAW contact: monicachen333@gmail.com; monicachen2116@gmail.com 

May 5th-11th, 2024: Deerfield Public Library Book display

Location: Deerfield Public Library, 920 Waukegan Rd., Deerfield, IL 60015

Time: Regular operating hours

Type of Event: Book Display

Details: Help celebrate this important week and learn about the wonder and importance of compost! Check out our book display in the youth department, learn about the process of composting and how your family can participate. We will have activity pages available.

2024 ICAW contact: mrampale@swalco.org 

May 5th-11th, 2024: Lake Forest Library Education Table

Location: Lake Forest Public Library,  360 E Deerpath Rd, Lake Forest, IL 60045

Time: Regular operating hours

Type of Event: Book Display

Details: The library will have a table with resources about composting.

2024 ICAW contact: kbuckardt@lakeforestlibrary.org 

May 6th-10th, 2024: College of Lake County celebrates ICAW 2024

Location: College of Lake County (CLC) Grayslake Campus, 19351 W Washington Street, Grayslake, IL 60030

Time: Regular operating hours

Type of Event: Book Display

Details: In CLC’s Café Willow where they do food waste composting, there will be a small educational table of resources and information, and the opportunity to learn more about composting on campus and off!

2024 ICAW contact: mrampale@swalco.org

May 7th, 2024: Des Plaines Public Library Book display & Storytime @4PM

Location: Des Plaines Public Library, 1501 Ellinwood St, Des Plaines, IL 60016

Time: 4-6 pm

Type of Event: Compost resources on display

Details: Des Plaines Public Library District will feature a display highlighting composting books

2024 ICAW contact: zsalemi@dppl.org

May 7th, 2024: Library workshop on Composting and Vermicomposting

Location:  Danvers Public Library, 117 E Exchange St, Danvers, IL 61732

Time: 6-7pm

Type of Event: Vermicomposting workshop

Details: Library workshop discussing composting and vermicomposting.

2024 ICAW contact: kvogler@ecologyactioncenter.org

May 8th, 2024: Composting: Building Your Garden From The Ground Up

Location: Westmont Public Library, 428 N. Cass Ave, Westmont, IL 60559

Time: 6:30-7:30pm

Type of Event: Compost resources on display

Details: Illinois Master Gardener Pat Miller will present the benefits of composting. She’ll share how you can improve the health and vitality of your garden by using the organic matter generated in your home and yard.

2024 ICAW contact: ndejonghe@westmontlibrary.org

May 8th, 2024: Sustainability Festival

Location: Des Plaines Theatre,  1476 Miner St.  Des Plaines, IL

Time: 5:00-8:00 pm

Type of Event: Join Go Green Des Plaines at this free event. Make a donation to Go Green Des Plaines and you could win a kitchen compost container, an outdoor compost bin, or a native garden package!

Details: Learn about sustainability at home and in the community. Q & A session with these experts:

Beth Drucker, President Go Green Wilmette, and co-facilitator of Go Green Illinois
Taran Lichtenberger, Citizen Science Program Manager, Chicago Botanic Gardens
Laura Jaliff, Northwestern University, Environmental Biotechnology and Microbial Ecology
Erlene Howard, Collective Resource Compost Cooperative

2024 ICAW contact: greendesplaines@gmail.com

May 8th, 2024: All About Compost!

Location: Glencoe Public Library, 320 Park Avenue, Glencoe, IL 60022

Time: 7:00 pm

Type of Event: A panel of speakers

Details: A panel of speakers with experience in composting will help attendees get started and address questions and concerns. The panel will include residents, community leaders, and businesspeople with experience in either composting on their own or hiring composting companies. Co-sponsored with the Glencoe Sustainability Task Force.

2024 ICAW contact: ghayek@glencoelibrary.org

May 8, 2024: Grayslake/BYO(B)ucket: Lake County Illinois Extension, Ask a Master Gardener Q&A

Location: Lake County University of Illinois Extension Office, 100 US-45, Grayslake, 60031 IL

Time: 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Details: Compost Giveback/Giveaway BYO(Bucket), Seed Giveaway and Master Gardeners Resources: Wednesday, May 8th 11am-3pm. Compost Information booth and Ask a Master Gardener booth to assist everyone with their gardening and compost needs. Information handouts available as well as Master Gardeners and Extension Staff of site to answer questions. Shovels will be provided – bring your own buckets.

May 9th, 2024: Library workshop on Composting 

Location:  Ecology Action Center, 202 West College Avenue, Normal IL

Time: 2pm

Type of Event: Composting presentation with the Normal Public Library.

Details: Library workshop discussing composting

2024 ICAW contact: kvogler@ecologyactioncenter.org

May 9th, 2024: Composting Series: Bin Systems

          Location:  Collinsville, IL

Time: 6pm

Type of Event: Registration Required HERE

Details: Join Dean Gunderson from Seed St Louis, Terri Riutcel from Table to Garden, and the Willoughby Farm team as they guide you through the process of transforming organic waste into “black gold”! Fee is $12 per class.

May 9th, 2024: Songs & Stories at the Compost Café

Location:  Zion-Benton Public Library, 2400 Gabriel Ave. Zion, IL 60099

Time: 7pm

Type of Event: Livestreamed event

Details: Zion-Benton Public Library will be hosting a showing of IFSCC’s Songs & Stories at the Compost Café

A variety of nearly 40 Adventures will highlight compost and composting taking place all over the state of Illinois. These adventures are all related to compost/composting and are quite diverse. They include: small farm and community garden tours, vermicomposting demos, backyard garden visits with Compost & Cocktails, vineyard tours/wine tastings, compost giveaways, school events, opportunities to taste and purchase fresh food that has been grown using compost, plant and seed giveaways, activities at restaurants that compost, and backyard composting educational events, to name just a few.

You’ll have the opportunity to see, smell and touch compost at almost every one of these. Please check times for individual events, but we are encouraging our Adventure sites to offer a full day if they can, so people may have the opportunity to visit more than one site.

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.

COOK COUNTY

Brookfield / Composting Children’s Book Display

Time:  Library Hours

Address:  3541 Park Avenue, Brookfield, IL

Description:  An assortment of children’s book about composting will be on display in Youth Services for ICAW. Parking lot and street parking available.

Chicago / Frankie Machine Garden Compost Workshop Demonstration

Time:  11 am

Address: 1100 W Haddon Ave, Chicago IL 60622

Description: A demonstration of composting at Frankie Machine Garden and an explanation of why and how to compost.

Skokie / Spring Finished Compost Gift-Back

Time:  1:00–4:00 pm

Address:  3669 Howard St., Skokie, IL

Description:  Collective Resource Compost Cooperative’s annual Spring Finished Compost Gift-Back. Open to the public for International Compost Awareness Week for the public to purchase food-scrap amended compost made in Chicago for the reasonable cost of $5/5 gallons. Participants should bring their own containers. Park in the Tot Learning Center parking lot.

Skokie / Sketchbook Sustainable Brewery Tour and Tasting

Time:  2:00 – 4:00 pm

Address:  4901 Main St. Skokie, IL 60077

Description:  Take a tour of the sustainable brewery operations at the Skokie taproom such as energy efficiency improvements, water reduction techniques, composting options, and the story of repurposing the spent grains into livestock feed to an Illinois farm. After the tour, participants are invited to stay, drink, and learn about composting options at home, including specials for Skokie residents with raffle prizes!

Free street parking on Main St. Free public lot- NE corner of Main St/ Niles Center Rd Euro Collision (across the street): Front Lot after 5 pm on Weekdays, All day Saturday & Sunday ALSO note the public transport options on our map—and the great Skokie Valley Trail directly west of us.

 

LAKE COUNTY

Highland Park / Spring Compost Giveaway

Time:  9:00 am-Noon

Address:  1207 Park Ave W, Highland Park, IL 60035

Description:  SWALCO & City of Highland Park will offer free, local, made-in-Illinois finished compost to residents. Go Green Highland Park will provide information and answer questions related to the curbside composting program through LRS. Residents who pledge to compost will receive a free kitchen pail to help start their composting journey. Additionally, guests can learn about backyard composting and talk with a local resident who enjoys vermicomposting, with the help of worms. Maximum of 20 gallons per household. Please bring your own buckets. Shovels provided. Compost is available while supply lasts. The event will take place in the Northeast corner of the parking lot.

Grayslake / Adventure in Composting – Organic/Native Plant Sale and Festival on the Farm!

Time:  12 Noon – 5 PM

Address:  Liberty Prairie Community Garden and Prairie Crossing Conservation Farm, 550 Harris Rd., Grayslake, IL 60030

Description:  Adventure in Composting – Spring Plant Sale and Farm Festival! Join them for their sale featuring organic vegetables grown by local high school students in the greenhouse, herbs and flowers (bring your own boxes), along with family-friendly farm activities, compost, and a composting resources booth and display. Activities are taking place at the Prairie Crossing Conservation Farm. On-site composting began this year, and they have begun building their composting infrastructure, so check it out and learn more! Plans are to include a multi-bin composter, chicken wire bins, commercially made tumblers, and a traditional freestanding pile. You can also say hello to their new animal ambassadors: a small flock of egg-laying chickens, fiber sheep, and goats. They will help manage the land and assist with educational programs. The hope is to share the vision for a future when people, plants and animals thrive together.

Liberty Prairie is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in Grayslake, Illinois. Their work focuses on sustainable agriculture and environmental stewardship at the urban edge, building skills and pathways toward land, human, and local economic health. Community education is a critical component of our work at Liberty Prairie, and we envision our compost operation as a site for learning. We hope this demonstration area is instructive for community gardeners, our neighbors in the Prairie Crossing subdivision, and the area students who visit the farm regularly. We also want to generate high quality compost for use in the Community Garden, of course.

North Chicago / Community Garden Open House & Compost Giveback/Giveaway sponsored by SWALCO, Growing Healthy Veterans and Eden Restoration

Time:  10 AM – 4 PM

Address:  North Chicago Commons, 1162 Arrington Drive, North Chicago, IL 60064

Description:  Bring your own buckets for FREE COMPOST made right here in Illinois! 20 gallons per household while supplies last. Site will provide the shovels. Free compost kitchen pails for scraps for those who pledge to participate in the Village’s curbside composting through our waste hauler, LRS, or those who will do backyard composting at home. Village staff will be joined by the Wauconda Garden Club and other green vendors.

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

Time:  8 AM – 11 AM

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

Description:  Bring your own buckets for FREE COMPOST made right here in Illinois! 20 gallons per household while supplies last. Site will provide the shovels. Free compost kitchen pails for scraps for those who pledge to participate in the Village’s curbside composting through our waste hauler, LRS, or those who will do backyard composting at home. Village staff will be joined by the Wauconda Garden Club and other green vendors.

THE FOLLOWING EVENTS START ON SUNDAY, MAY 5th or MONDAY, MAY 6th and CONTINUE THROUGHOUT THE WEEK

Beach Park / Book Display and Resource Table at Beach Park Middle School

Time:  Throughout the week of ICAW

Address:  40667 N Green Bay Road ,Beach Park, IL 60099

Description:  Beach Park Middle School’s Library and Librarians will offer a special book display and resource table to celebrate ICAW throughout the week for staff and students.

Chicago / Coalition to Create a Better Chinese American Community (CBCAC)

Time:  Throughout the week of ICAW during Office Hours

Address: CBCAC Office, 311 W. 23rd St., Chicago, IL 60616

Description: CBCAC will offer information and resources on composting to help celebrate the week. Stop by to learn more about composting, ICAW, and the work that CBCAC is doing.

Contact:  monicachen2116@gmail.com

Deerfield/ Village of Deerfield is Celebrating ICAW 2024!

Time:  Throughout the week during Village Hall Hours

Address:  Village Hall, 850 Waukegan Road, Deerfield, IL 60015

Description: Join the Village of Deerfield and SWALCO as we celebrate International Compost Awareness Week! From May 6 to May 10, stop by the Village Hall lobby at 850 Waukegan Road to explore our composting display and pledge to participate in Deerfield’s curbside composting program. At the display, you will receive complimentary educational materials, native seed packets and composting kitchen pails to all who pledge to participate in the curbside program and divert their food scraps and materials. Additionally, registration will be available for a range of free webinars including Adding Colors with Annuals, Edible Landscaping, Composting and much more! Mark your calendar for the Public Works Open House on May 18 and bring your own bucket to receive free composting soil provided by the Village of Deerfield and SWALCO on that Saturday, just in time for gardening season. Let’s work together to make a positive impact on our environment through composting, planting native plants and diverting food waste from our landfills!

Lake Zurich / Isaac Fox School Celebrates ICAW!

Time:  Throughout the week

Address:  Isaac Fox Elementary School, 395 W. Cuba Road, Lake Zurich, IL 60047

Description:  Isaac Fox will set up a resource table and display for ICAW week and will have info and highlight their school garden where they plan to plant native wildflowers and pollinator friendly plants this year.

Lake Villa / Olive C. Martin School Celebrates ICAW!

Time:  Throughout the whole school week May 6-10, 2024

Address:  Olive C. Martin School, 24750 W. Dering Lane, 60046

Description:  Lake Village, IL Olive Martin School will host a display and resource table in the school library throughout the week. Learn more about composting with how-to info, learn about food waste diversion and more! Kids will be putting their leftover meals in an electric composter for No Waste Wednesday that week. Learn more about the school garden and how compost was applied, and what will be planted this year.

Libertyville / Advocate Condell Medical Center Celebrates Compost Awareness

Time:  throughout the week

Address:  801 S. Milwaukee Avenue, Libertyville, IL 60048

Description:  Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville will celebrate ICAW week with a display and information/resources on compost, composting and the importance of diverting our food waste and preventing it from the start. They will highlight composting efforts taking place on site at the hospital and cafeteria. The event will take place throughout the week in the Lobby.

Libertyville / Resources for International Compost Awareness Week, Lake County Health Department & Lake County Central Permits Facility

Time: Business Hours

Address:  LC Central Permit Facility, 500 W. Winchester Road, Libertyville, IL 60048

Description: Throughout the week Lake County staff and residents can drop by the Central Permits Facility in Libertyville to view and take home resources and information, and how-to on composting to celebrate ICAW – International Compost Awareness Week.  Find out about all of the other events taking place around the region too!

Contacts:  Mike Adam, Deputy Director of Environmental Health:  madam@lakecountyil.gov or mrampale@lakecountyil.gov

Round Lake / Celebrate International Composting Awareness Week (ICAW) at the Prairie Grass Nature Museum!

Time:  During Museum Hours: Hours for the Prairie Grass Nature Museum: • Saturdays and Sundays: Noon – 3 pm • Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday: 11 am – 3 pm • Closed Mondays and Fridays

Address:  860 Hart Road, Round Lake, IL 60073

Description: Sunday, May 5 through Saturday, May 11:  Celebrate International Composting Awareness Week (ICAW) at the Prairie Grass Nature Museum! Learn about composting, healthy soils and the many benefits of diverting food waste and using compost and celebrate this special week with us from Sunday, May 5 through Saturday, May 11. Then take a tour of the museum to see all of the other displays and exhibits and meet some of the animals who reside there. The Museum and Interpretive Nature Trail lets everyone explore and discover in a hands-on, interactive atmosphere. Museum residents include a salamander, an Easter Fox Snake, and a variety of turtles, including box turtles, false map turtles, a painted turtle and red-eared slider too. There’s a lot to see and experience and you can visit as often as you like during museum hours (see times). The museum is located at the Aquatics Center & Nature Museum Building, at the Round Lake Area Park District.

McHenry / ICAW Compost Super Sale at Midwest Organics Recycling!

Time:  Throughout ICAW week Sunday, May 5 to Saturday, May 11, 2024

Address:  29353 N Darrell Rd McHenry, IL 60051

Description:  Help us celebrate International Compost Awareness Week From Sunday, May 5 through Saturday, May 11! Get locally made compost (made right here in northern Illinois!) Get 20% Off Organimix Fine and Organimix Coarse Grade Compost by Using Code ICAW during this special week and sale. Customers can call to place order or come on-site for purchase. (847)393-6643

Time:  1PM – 2PM

Location:  Zoom (RECORDING)

Description: Grab your lunch and join IFSCC to learn about the status of soil health, 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 Environmental Council Zero Waste Policy Manager
• Liz Rupel, Illinois Stewardship Alliance, Lead Organizer
• Kiara Jackson, Illinois Food Justice Alliance, Director

Stories & Songs @ the Compost Café: Join us for a spectacular and “soil-ful” evening of stories, songs, snippets and serenades. It’s all in honor of International Compost Awareness Week (ICAW) and the wonder of compost and caring for our beautiful planet. Our “scrappy” group of entertainers and artists are digging up scoopfuls of fun to delight you with a special selection of sparkling tales, sprightly tunes, spoken word, and more. Come along, read-along, sing-along and enjoy an evening to celebrate healthy soil, healthy food, waste diversion, and earth-care through the arts.  The program is geared for grade school age children and their families, but we think all ages will learn something new, be inspired, and enjoy this special program. Families and adults of all ages can register to attend virtually.

Organizations, libraries, municipalities, and schools interested in live-streaming this event from your location can register for this no cost, ready-made program bundled and ready for you – you provide the 3 S’s – screen, seats and snacks! OR join us LIVE at the Sullivan Community Center in Vernon Hills.

Compost Café One-pager HERE.

Time:  7-8:30PM

Location: Zoom (RECORDING COMING SOON)

Description: Stories & Songs @ the Compost Café: A Symphony for Soil

Performers/Presenters:

William Marr, Connie Purcell, Kimberly Waller, Shawn Killackey & Artist’s Alliance
Monica Chen, Seema Keshav & Merleanne Rampale
Co-sponsored & hosted by our partners, Vernon Hills Park District.

This year we’re giving you the opportunity to have twice the fun and experiences with a 2nd day of Adventures! A variety of nearly 30-40 or more Adventures will highlight compost and composting taking place all over the state of Illinois. These adventures are all related to compost/composting and are quite diverse. They include: small farm and community garden tours, vermicomposting demos, backyard garden visits with Compost & Cocktails, vineyard tours/wine tastings, compost giveaways, school events, opportunities to taste and purchase fresh food that has been grown using compost, plant and seed giveaways, activities at restaurants that compost, and backyard composting educational events, to name just a few. You’ll have the opportunity to see, smell and touch compost at almost every one of these.

The ADVENTURES IN COMPOSTING google form will help our ICAW Planning Team publish and promote events in Illinois. Events will be 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.

BUREAU COUNTY

Wyanet / Annie’s Home Farm

Time:  10 AM – 3 PM

Address:  15866 1275 North Avenue, Wyanet, IL. 61379

Description:  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. They will also be featuring this new continuous flow through worm composting system for folks to examine at her Adventure on 5/11/24.From wormgear.com. 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. Please stop at railroad crossing just before Annie’s as it is unmarked and a busy route.

COOK COUNTY

Morton Grove / Compost-Palooza Party and Tour with Go Green Morton Grove

Time:  2-4 pm

Address:  5631 Church, Morton Grove, IL

Description: In recognition of International Compost Awareness Week, Go Green Morton Grove is hosting a party to help community members learn about several options for keeping food waste out of landfills to reduce harmful methane emissions! In addition to traditional DIY backyard composting, attendees will learn about the container-swap service available year-round through WasteNot.

In addition, the Morton Grove Library Book Bike will be there, stocked with eco-friendly titles, there will be a Freecycle table where you can drop off gently used items or pick up ones that are new to you, a chance to print items with the Go Green Morton Grove logo, and other surprises to make this a true celebration. At 3 PM, attendees will take off to tour the yards of three Morton Grove neighbors as well as the Niles Township office to see how people around town manage their compost operations.

Oak Park / Oak Park Backyard Bin Demo

Time:  1-4 pm

Address:  1036 Clinton, Oak Park

Description: Teegen Compost Services will provide a follow up from this past October’s backyard composting event in Oak Park. (See some details on the IFSCC Blog HERE.) October’s Demo harvested the past season’s trimmings, this event will focus on food scrap and leaves from the Fall and the role this material plays in the process over winter. We’ll open the bin to view a cross section of the material and check for active worms. We will review the whole compost season as well and end with Q & A. More info about Teegen Compost Services HERE.

Palatine / Backyard Composting Demo, Garden Tour and Visit

Time:  11 AM – 4 PM

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

Description:  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. Street parking

Palatine / Celebrate ICAW at the Farmer’s Market with Cool Cities!

Time:  7 AM – 1 PM

Address:  Palatine Metra Train Station – Smith and Wood Streets, Palatine, IL 60067

Description:  While you are shopping for yummy local produce and goodies, come say hello and visit the Cool Cities booth at the Farmer’s Market and celebrate ICAW (International Compost Awareness) Week. Learn about the work Cool Cities is doing and learn more about all various types of composting, including vermicomposting with worms, building your own bin. Pick up other gardening and composting resources and information while you are there. There are so many other important issues surrounding this celebration including food waste diversion, food waste prevention, healthy soils, healthy food, garden and lawn practices, climate and hunger. Please note too there will be another opportunity in Palatine at the home of Kevin Keehn to watch a demo build and tour his garden and see his composting practices up close in his own backyard from 11am to 4 pm today. See Adventures in Composting, Compost Givebacks, Library Events and Other Happenings, for a full list of events and programs in Palatine and around the region.

Park Ridge / Native Plant Sale & Compost Giveaway

Time:  Saturday, May 11th @ 9:00AM – Noon PM

Address:  Maine East High School, 2601 Dempster St, Park Ridge, IL

Description:  Dozens of species of Native Plants available at $4 per plug. Two types of kits available for sunny areas with 11 plants for $40, https://mehsplantsale.weebly.com/ Free compost giveaway for International Compost Awareness Week sponsored by the Park Ridge Park District. Bring your own 5 gallon bucket or container. Note: first come, first served. Enter Maine East at Dempster and Dee Road. Maine East Ecology Club is a co-sponsor of this event.

COOK AND DUPAGE COUNTIES

Burr Ridge / Compost & Cocktails at Black Cherry Farm 

Time:  10-4 pm

Address:  8869 Elm Avenue, Burr Ridge, IL

Description: Theresa J.’s home/backyard @ 8869 Elm Avenue, Burr Ridge. Come out for a composting crash course, tour of compost use on the farm, and a Q&A while sipping compost-connected cocktails or BYOB. 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. Kiddie-cocktails will be served too, and children are welcome to join the event and learn from the Johnston’s 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 utilize the compost on their garden and orchard. Tours of their system, from scraps to compost to the next phase cycle of food, will be given at 10:30, 12, 1:30, and 3. You are also welcome to just come by to walk around and mingle with other composters.

LAKE COUNTY

Barrington / Safehouse Farms Alpacas Tour and Meet and Greet with the Animals – We’re celebrating ICAW on the Farm!

Time: 10-4 pm

Address:   25638 W Chatham Rd, Barrington, IL 60010

Description: Make your reservation to tour the farm and meet not only the herd of 40 alpacas, but other 4-legged residents of the farm including Romy, Lucca, Shaggy, Snow Queen, Gypsey and a host of other adorables — goats, turkeys, mini Herefords, donkeys, horses and more.  Find out more about composting and the processes they use on the farm.  You’ll also learn how Cuba Township and the Farm are doing their part to reduce and divert food waste.  There is a fee for the tour.  Visits by appointment only and last approximately one hour.  All visits are Weather permitting. Admission is $10/person.  Children age 2 and under FREE, Paid through Cash or Zelle.  Composting resources and activities for kids will be included in your visit.  You can also stop by Ye Olde Alpaca Shoppe and shop for a variety of products, like blankets, throws, mittens, socks, all natural 100% alpaca yarn (all natural colors), natural bath & beauty products, and other products and gift made using the beautiful alpaca fur as well as other natural products.

Directions: Park on Chatham Road and walk through the gate- Farm tours enter here.

Restrictions and Helpful Info:  Farm Rules and Regulations:  This is a working farm, no outside animals or pets are allowed on the property. For the safety of our herd, there are no exceptions to this rule.  Smoking, vaping, and e-cigarettes are prohibited.  No outside food or drink while visiting the farm. Please do not feed the animals anything other than the food provided for you.  Please be kind to all the animals. Do not tease, throw objects, hit, or chase the animals.  All children must be monitored by an adult while on the farm.  Boots/closed-toed shoes are recommended.

Hainesville / Compost giveaway

Time: 10-3 pm

Address:  Hainesville Village Hall, 100 Hainesville Road, Hainesville, IL. 60042

Description:  Hainesville – Compost Giveback/Give-away BYOB & Native Planting/Restoration Tours.  Bring your own buckets for FREE COMPOST made right here in Illinois! 20 gallons per household while supplies last. Pick up other composting resources and learn more about opportunities to participate in the Village’s curbside composting program.  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 giveback/giveaway will be at back of Village Hall.

Gurnee / Adventure in composting Spring compost giveaway

Time:  10-3 pm

Address:  Village of Gurnee Public Works @ 1151 Kilbourne Road, Gurnee, IL 60031

Description:  Adventure in Composting on Saturday, May 11 Spring Compost Giveaway at the Gurnee Public Works Facility : On Saturday, May 11th from 10am to 3pm, the Village of Gurnee and Solid Waste Agency of Lake County (SWALCO) will be giving away compost at the Gurnee Public Works Facility located at 1151 Kilbourne Rd. Please stop by too to learn more about composting and pick up other resources. Free to Residents (Noncommercial use). First come, first serve basis while supplies lasts. Self-serve and shovel on site just bring your own bucket. 20 gallons per household while supplies last. Businesses/institutions are prohibited.

Mundelein / Compost Giveback Giveaway BYO(B)bucket

Time:  10-4 pm

Address:  428 N. Chicago Ave, Mundelein

Description:  SWALCO and the Mundelein Tool Library will host a free compost give-away at the Tool Library. Bring your own buckets for free compost made right here in Illinois! 20 gallons per household (no businesses) while supplies last. Site will provide the shovels- one of the many types of tools they house and lend out. Hosted by the Mundelein Tool Library and SWALCO. First come, first served, while supplies last! Take a tour of the library, learn more about this wonderful lending non-profit and the other programs and resources they offer, and pick up composting resources as well.

Bannockburn / SWALCO Compost Giveback/Giveaway, Composting Resources and Plant Giveaway

Time:  10:00 AM – 2:00 PM

Address:  Bannockburn Village Hall –2275 Telegraph Road, Bannockburn, IL 60015

Description:  The Village of Bannockburn and SWALCO will celebrate International Compost Awareness Week with a FREE COMPOST giveaway! BYOB (Bring Your Own Bucket) to shovel-up your own locally sourced compost while supplies last. Every household is eligible to scoop-up 20 gallons of compost at no cost. Staff will also provide information about Bannockburn municipal curbside composting program through LRS, the Village’s residential waste hauler. Bannockburn residents who pledge to compost will also receive a free kitchen countertop bin to help start their composting journey. Additionally, the Village and The Bannockburn Garden and Social Arts Club will distribute a limited quantity of free milkweed plants to Bannockburn residents to promote Monarch Butterfly and pollinator awareness. Parking available in the Village Hall lot – activities will take place behind Village Hall

Island Lake / Illinois Compost Giveaway BYOB (Bring Your Own Bucket!), Garden & Composting Resources & More

Time:  10 AM – 3 PM

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

Description:  Join us at the Victory Garden for a day of fun…. 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).

Lake Barrington / Spring Compost Giveback/Giveaway and activities with SWALCO and Cuba Township

Time:  10 AM – 3 PM

Address:  Cuba Township Offices, 28000 W. Cuba Road, Barrington, IL

Description:  Join us at the Township Offices for a day of fun…. Bring your own buckets for FREE COMPOST made right here in Illinois! Seeds will be given away. Learn how the Cuba Township Food Pantry helps to cut down on food waste. Hosted by SWALCO and Cuba Township. Other activities and compost and gardening info will be available. And look for another fun Adventure taking place right in the neighborhood! resources will be available as well – can you say Alpaca Farm? Learn how the Township works with them..

Vernon Hills / Spring Compost Giveback/Giveback & More at Vernon Hills Park District with VHPD, SWALCO and Go Green Vernon Hills & Lincolnshire

Time:  10 AM – 3 PM

Address:  Vernon Hills Park District Maintenance @ 1400 Indianwood Trail, Vernon Hills, IL

Description:  Join us at the Park District for a day of fun…. Bring your own buckets for FREE COMPOST made right here in Illinois! 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, Vernon Hills Park District and Go Green Vernon Hills & Lincolnshire. Other activities and resources will be available as well.

North Chicago / Community Garden Open House & Compost Giveback/Tree Planting/Giveaway sponsored by SWALCO, Growing Healthy Veterans and Eden Restoration

Time:  10 AM – 4 PM

Address:  North Chicago Commons, 1162 Arrington Drive, North Chicago, IL 60064

Description:  Our 2nd Day of Adventures! Open house & tour with compost giveaway. SWALCO, Growing Healthy Veterans & Eden will also offer a FREE COMPOST giveaway – 20 gallons per household. Bring your own buckets and we’ll provide the shovels! We will be promoting healthy growing, eating, independence through growing your own food, with tastings, lessons and tours at the site! Some composting resources will be available. At the North Chicago Commons, North Chicago site.

Note: A Tree Planting will take place at 3124 Argonne Drive, North Chicago, IL 60064
This is at the new Growing Healthy Veterans Garden. No experience is necessary, and all are welcome! Volunteers will work alongside
the CRTI (Chicago Regional Trees Initiative) team and other fantastic volunteers to help dig planting spaces, get trees in the ground, and mulch them. Contact ICAW Chair, Merleanne Rampale, for more information MRampale@swalco.org.

Round Lake / Celebrate International Composting Awareness Week (ICAW) at the Prairie Grass Nature Museum!

Time:  During Museum Hours: Hours for the Prairie Grass Nature Museum: • Saturdays and Sundays: Noon – 3 pm • Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday: 11 am – 3 pm • Closed Mondays and Fridays

Address:  860 Hart Road, Round Lake, IL 60073

Description: Sunday, May 5 through Saturday, May 11:  Celebrate International Composting Awareness Week (ICAW) at the Prairie Grass Nature Museum! Learn about composting, healthy soils and the many benefits of diverting food waste and using compost and celebrate this special week with us from Sunday, May 5 through Saturday, May 11. Then take a tour of the museum to see all of the other displays and exhibits and meet some of the animals who reside there. The Museum and Interpretive Nature Trail lets everyone explore and discover in a hands-on, interactive atmosphere. Museum residents include a salamander, an Easter Fox Snake, and a variety of turtles, including box turtles, false map turtles, a painted turtle and red-eared slider too. There’s a lot to see and experience and you can visit as often as you like during museum hours (see times). The museum is located at the Aquatics Center & Nature Museum Building, at the Round Lake Area Park District.

Waukegan / Cool Learning Experience Celebrates ICAW at Drip and Culture Socially Minded Coffee

Time:  2 PM – 4 PM

Address:  2015 Grand Ave, Waukegan, IL 60085

Description:  Cool Learning Experience youth and staff will celebrate ICAW week with demos, information and share resources about compost, composting and everything related to healthy soils, healthy food and waste diversion!

Long Grove / Adventure in the Vineyard

Address:  5175 Aptakisic Road, Long Grove, IL

 2 Tours; one on Sunday, May 5 at 1-230 pm. Second on Saturday, May 11 from 2-330 pm.  Tours are 1.5 hours each Valentino Vineyard & Winery,

Tour the Vineyard, experience a Tasting of 5 beautiful wines and enjoy a special Wine Appreciation Seminar. Your visit to this special, 20 acre Estate Vineyard & Winery will be memorable. 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 in advance by May 1. Call Rudy to register, and use the word COMPOST before May 1, and the total cost per person for these 2 Adventure dates will be discounted by more than 50% – $34.00 per person. Thank you to Valentino Vineyards for this very special accommodation to celebrate Adventures in Composting and ICAW. Vineyard is open only to people who have contacted Rudy, 847-634-2831, by May 1. Rain or Shine! Two Adventures this year: Sunday, May 5 at 1:00 pm and Saturday, May 11, 2024. Tours are approximately 1.5 hours long.

MCLEAN COUNTY

Bloomington / Bloomington Library AIC event

Time:  11 am-12 pm

Address:  205 E Olive St, Bloomington, IL

Description:  COMPOST… Nature’s Climate Champion! https://www.bloomingtonlibrary.org/event/compost-natures-climate-champion Have you wondered what are the benefits of using compost and composting food and yard waste? Would you like to get started but don’t know how? Do you live in an apartment or shared housing and think it’s not something you can do? Then you’ll want to sign up for this free program hosted by the Ecology Action Center to find out how you can help fight climate change just by composting!

This presentation is hybrid, with the option to attend either in-person or online. The in-person meeting will be held at the library, and to attend virtually via zoom please select “online” to receive the zoom link. The library parking lot is still limited due to construction but there is free street parking all around the library. This event is partnering with the Ecology Action Center.