Help us celebrate International Compost Awareness Week by learning about related topics and issues including waste diversion, food waste prevention, healthy soil, healthy food, conservation, planet-care, climate….. Our lineup aims to feature the important role compost/composting plays, the myriad of benefits it offers, including a focus of this year’s theme: COMPOST…Nature’s Climate Champion. And this year, Illinois has been asked to kick-off the whole global celebration and will be featured throughout the week by the international organization CREF – the Compost Research and Education Foundation.
This year we welcome all to register and attend our 2 virtual events: Our Legislative Lunch and Learn on Wednesday, May 8 at 1:00 pm. Meeting Registration – Zoom. And on Thursdays, May 9 at 7:00 pm join us for a very special evening with presentations and performances from a wonderful group of artists at our Songs & Stories from the Compost Café. We are gearing this for elementary age youth and families, but adults and those of all ages will enjoy this special program featuring, music, song, storytelling, poetry (including special guest William Marr, a world-renowned poet), spoken word, some video shorts and art from local artists. We will have some live audiences at sites that are live-streaming this special event. 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. Register to join us for this virtual event.
This year’s line-up features:
COMPOST BYO CONTAINER EVENTS
Compost Gift-Backs, Giveaways and Bring Your Own Container events: Take home locally made, nutrient-rich compost for your own home gardens, landscaping, and yards! Note: Each site has their own unique fee structure and policies. More information can be found on swalco.org.
LIBRARY PROGRAMS AND OTHER HAPPENINGS
Check out all the wonderful things taking place at Illinois libraries including special book and resource displays, presentations, activities and story-times. Also included, special events and happenings taking place at other gardens and venues.
SUNDAY, MAY 5 – ADVENTURES IN COMPOSTING (PART 1)
A variety of over 50 or more Adventures will highlight compost and composting taking place all over Illinois. These adventures are all related to compost/composting and are quite diverse. 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 composting restaurants, 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.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 8 – LEGISLATIVE LUNCH & LEARN (VIRTUAL)
Time: 1:00 pm Location: Virtual event; Meeting Registration – Zoom.
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.
THURSDAY, MAY 9 – COMPOST CAFÉ (VIRTUAL)
Time: 7-8:30 pm; Register to join us for this virtual event.
Stories & Songs at the Compost Café: For families, youth, and adults…. 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. Our “scrappy” group of entertainers and artists are digging up scoopfuls of fun. They’ll 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 soil and compost 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. Join us for a smashing good time! We are also encouraging organizations, groups, municipalities, libraries, and schools to either share the info and registration link or consider hosting a live-stream of this wonderful event and invite the public to your place! No cost, ready-made program bundled for you – you provide the 3 S’s – screen, seats and snacks! Presenters and performers include: 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
SATURDAY, MAY 11 – ADVENTURES IN COMPOSTING (PART 2)
More Adventures… The fun continues! Host an event on May, 5, May 11 or both! There are so many events taking place all over on this Saturday!!! Schedule your route to visit more than 1!