This assistance agreement awards federal funds in the amount of $91,500.00 to provide the institute for local self-reliance (ilsr) funding to cultivate community-scale and farm-scale composting of…

This assistance agreement awards federal funds in the amount of $91,500.00 to provide the institute for local self-reliance (ilsr) funding to cultivate community-scale and farm-scale composting of wasted food in EPA mid-atlantic region's five (5) states plus the district of columbia. The funds would specifically allow ilsr to expand the reach of EPA's new online community composting 101 certificate program in the mid-atlantic region, create and disseminate composting training materials that sites can use on their own to establish onsite composting infrastructure, produce and offer virtual home composting training, enhance the capacity of existing community composters, and develop an on-farm composting site in the montgomery county, maryland, agricultural reserve. This project will increase the capacity of individuals, families, and gardeners to compost at home and at community venues in all five mid-atlantic states and the district of columbia. The focus will be on impacting disadvantaged communities. Advancing community-scale composting builds appropriately-sized capacity in underserved communities. Activities:activities include creating and disseminating composting training materials that sites can use on their own to establish onsite composting infrastructure, produce and offer virtual home composting training, enhance the capacity of existing community composters, and develop an on-farm composting site in the montgomery county, maryland, agricultural reserve. This project and its activities also directly supports sustainable management of food. Community-and-farm-scale composting develops a local circular economy and community resiliency, converting wasted food into a soil amendment to enhance local soils to grow local food. Compost use reduces the need for pesticides, helps manage storm water run-off and soil erosion, and improves urban environments.subrecipient:no subawards are included in this assistance agreement.outcomes:anticipated deliverables include: (1) a home composting workshop video; (2) open-source compost screener designs; (3) four virtual home composting workshops; (4) three on-farm composting webinars; (5) one on-farm composting system built at the agricultural farm history park in montgomery county, maryland; and (6) one case study on the composting site developed at the agricultural farm history park. Expected outcomes include: (1) a greater number of individuals knowledgeable about community-scale composting programs; (2) improved ability and capacity for individuals, gardeners, community venues, and urban and rural farms to compost food waste; and (3) an increased amount of food scraps and other materials diverted from landfills and incinerators. The intended beneficiaries of the project include individuals, families, and gardeners in all five mid-atlantic states and the district of columbia.