The Master Composter / YardWise Revival

1. The Master Composter / YardWise Revival

2. “What’s happening today in Texas and the Southwest should be a wake-up call on climate change. These are the kinds of conditions that we expect to see more often as climate warms,” - Dr. Julia Cole, Professor of Geosciences, University of Arizona (Project on Climate Science)

5. Water for Texas 2012State Water PlanTexas Water Development Board “In serious drought conditions, Texas does not and will not have enough water to meet the needs of its people, its businesses, and its agricultural enterprises.”

6. By 2060: Population will increase to > 46 million Water availability will decrease by 10% Inaction could cost $116 billion/yr. and 1,000,000 jobs. 26 new reservoirs recommended to increase supply by 1.5 billion acre – feet. Fixes will cost $231 billion in capital outlay. Water for Texas 2012Texas Water Plan

7. Where Does Our Water Go?

8. Urban Water Usage

9. Non-point source pollution accounts for 65% river pollution, 76% lake pollution in U.S. More than 200 stream segments in Texas do not meet water quality standards. Farming accounts for 10% of U.S. pesticide use – buildings, lawns, gardens, and other landscaped areas receive 90%. Water Quality

10. Electrical generators consume 3X household water use, per household. Utilities could account for 60% of all non-farm water use by 2030. - 150 coal-fired plants planned in US. “…water is becoming a greater permitting issue than air quality.”– Thomas Feeley, US DOE National Energy Technology Laboratory Water or Power?

11. Oil Boom = Water Bust? • Rising oil prices spur increased production from marginal, obstructive geological formations • Hydraulic fracturing “fracking” = high pressure injection of sand, water, & chemicals (some hazardous) to release oil & gas deposits

12. Fracking one well in S. Texas Eagle Ford shale requires 13,000,000 gallons of water. • Water for S. Texas fracking to increase 10X by 2020, 20X by 2030 - groundwater pollution feared.

13. Today's problems cannot be solved by thinking the way we thought when we created them. - Albert Einstein

14. Everything must go somewhere. Everything is connected to everything else. There’s no such thing as a free lunch. Nature knows best .(Nature recycles life). The Four Laws of Ecology

16. “The Natural Cycle”

17. Xeriscaping (native/adapted plants) “Don’t Bag It” (grass-cycling) Efficient Watering Mulching Composting Integrated Pest Management YardWise Elements:

18. Blueprint for Action: Keep America Beautiful 5-Step Attitude Change Process

19. Step 1: Get the Facts:

20. Additional Publications • TCEQ • Guia Verde (Green Guide, Spanish) • City of Austin • Earth-Wise Guide to Fire Ants • Earth-Wise Guide to Fleas • Earth-Wise Guide to Lawn Problems • Earth-Wise Guide to Products • Texas AgriLife Extension • Earth Kind:Integrated Pest Management • Earth Kind: Landscape Pesticides

23. Helps sandy soil retain moisture Breaks up clay soils Protects against wind and water erosion Improves soil tilth Compost Benefits Water Conservation

25. Prevents water runoff Judicious use multiplies water retention Promotes healthy root systems to hold soil in place Reduces need for pesticides & herbicides Compost Benefits Water Quality

26. Contains complete spectrum of plant nutrients Retains nutrients Optimum pH for nutrient availability Slow, steady nutrient release Compost Benefits Soil Fertility

27. Fertilizer: What’s In It?

28. A Healthy Diet ?

29. Promotes diverse beneficials: Bacteria, fungi, actinomycetes Insects Worms Breaks down organics into plant nutrients Suppresses diseases & pests Compost Benefits Beneficial Soil Life

30. Soil Biology Principle Population: Number of Soil Organisms + Diversity of Soil Organisms = Soil Functions: Soil Structure, Fertility, Moisture Retention, Disease Suppression

31. NRCS Soil Biology Primer

32. Bacteria: 90,000,000 Actinomycetes: 4,000,000 Fungi: 200,000 Algae: 30,000 Protozoa: 5,000 Nematodes: 30 Earthworm: < 1 Number of organisms in 1 cubiccentimeter of agricultural soil:

33. Ecosystems are not only more complex than we think, they are more complex than we can think. -Frank Egler

35. Carbon / Nitrogen Ratio Moisture Aeration Temperature Time Composting Essential Elements

36. Basic Compost Recipe GREEN STUFF + BROWN STUFF + WATER + AIR COMPOST

39. Step #2: Involve the People • STAR staff / Compost Advisory Council compost professionals • Keep Texas Beautiful staff • Texas AgriLife Extension • Partner & sponsor organizations • KTB affiliate community coordinators • Master Composter Candidates • State & local government

41. ‘Xeriscaping’Native and Adapted Plant Selection El Paso Austin Houston

42. “Don’t Bag It” 2/3 grass blade removed & bagged 1/3 grass blade removed, mulched in

43. Efficient Watering

44. Mulching

45. Integrated Pest Management

46. Step #3: Plan Systematically Master Composter Program Roles

47. Local Coordinator • Conduct 20-hour MC training • Provide 20 hours volunteer service • Monitor & document candidate hours • Submit documentation to central program administration • Present Master Composter Certificates

48. “GREENS”: already there - reinforce “SPROUTS”: ready – prime target “BROWNS”: resistant “Don’t Preach to the Choir, Turn them into Missionaries.”

49. Compost Advisory Council • Provide 2-day ‘train-the-trainer’ workshops for local coordinators. • Provide / identify core Master Composter training & curriculum materials. • Green Guide reprint • Rodale Book of Composting • State & local program materials • Maintain YardWise web site

50. Statewide Administration (CAC & Partners) • Provide local coordinators with all program forms • Issue official MC Certificates to all successful candidates • Serve as ongoing resource for local coordinators • Consultation • Presentations • Literature • Web Site Management