WHAT: The UF/IFAS Gulf Coast Research and Education Center will host the first UF/IFAS Research Compost Consortium Conference. This free event will bring Florida’s city, county and state decision makers, agriculture and ornamental horticulture producers and compost industry services together to establish compost and networking opportunities.
WHEN: Wednesday, March 27, 2024, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
WHERE: UF/IFAS Gulf Coast Research and Education Center
14625 County Road 672 Wimauma, FL 33598
MEDIA RSVP REQUIRED: By noon on Monday, March 25
CONTACT: Lourdes Mederos, rodriguezl@ufl.edu or 954-242-8439.
Also, registration is required to attend this free program
ABOUT:
Federal agencies are investing millions of dollars to support innovative compost plans and programs that divert food waste from landfills.
The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences is leading the charge to help cities and counties build robust compost programs that are green, sustainable and economically beneficial.
Objectives of the event include:
- Collaborate with the Florida Composting Council to explore economic, policy and environmental needs for compost standards.
- Develop best practices for communities.
- Connect attendees with compost resources and federal agencies that are providing funding opportunities to help build programs.
- Encourage entrepreneurs to join the movement and help build thriving compost resources in their local municipality.
- Explore ways municipalities can develop incentives to improve capacities for industry partners.
Schedule
9:30 a.m. -10 a.m. Check-in registration, coffee and pastries
10 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. Opening remarks
10:15 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. Vision and challenges for compost use in Florida
10:45 a.m. – 11:05 Grant funding agencies
11:05 a.m. – Noon Researchers, Extension, Industry and Government Insights
Noon – 1 p.m. Presentation by Chris Snow, Vice President of Florida Composting Council. Lunch provided by Florida Composting Council
1 p.m. – 1:45 p.m. An Opportunity to take a deeper dive with presenters.
1:45 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. Networking roundtable discussions for economics, policy and environmental initiative groups
2:30 p.m. – 3:30 pm Summary from round table discussions and next steps
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ABOUT UF/IFAS
The mission of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) is to develop knowledge relevant to agricultural, human and natural resources and to make that knowledge available to sustain and enhance the quality of human life. With more than a dozen research facilities, 67 county Extension offices, and award-winning students and faculty in the UF College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, UF/IFAS brings science-based solutions to the state’s agricultural and natural resources industries, and all Florida residents.
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