Partnership Brings Vermont Author to Celebrate International Compost Awareness Week
The Varnum Memorial Library and the Lamoille Regional Solid Waste Management District (LRSWMD) have partnered to bring awareness, enthusiasm, and Vermont author, Judith D. Schwartz together to celebrate International Compost Awareness Week (ICAW). Schwartz is “an author who tells stories to explore and illuminate scientific concepts and cultural nuance. She takes a clear-eyed look at global environmental, economic, and social challenges, and finds insights and solutions in natural systems.” https://www.judithdschwartz.com/
A co-hosted book discussion will be held on Thursday, May 6 at 6:00 p.m., with author Judith D. Schwartz, to support this year’s ICAW theme, Grow, EAT…COMPOST…Repeat. “The theme recognizes the circular movement of the organics recycling process flowing from farm to table to farm again. This circular process turns recycled organic materials into compost which creates healthy soils…,” explained Amy Freeman, ICAW Committee Chair.
In her book Cows Save the Planet, Judith D. Schwartz lays the foundational knowledge for supporting this year’s ICAW theme. Compost is important for improving or maintaining high quality soil, growing healthy plants, reducing the use of fertilizer and pesticides, improving water quality and protecting the environment. Schwartz “looks at soil as a crucible for our many overlapping environmental, economic, and social crises” within the covers of this powerful, solutions-oriented book.
Copies of the book are still available. Email varnumrequests@gmail.com or call 644-2117 today to get your hands on one! To register for the Zoom discussion, visit lrswmd.org/resources/. All attendees will have a chance to win a Soil Saver Backyard Compost Bin, a food scrap collection bucket, or 5 gallons of compost!
Started in 1995, ICAW is the largest and most comprehensive education initiative of the compost industry and is celebrated annually, nationwide and in other countries, each year during the first full week of May. The goal of the week is to build awareness on the benefits of compost use and organics recycling. More information on ICAW can be found at http://www.compostfoundation.org.
