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Student Compost Cooperative


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The Student Compost Cooperative (SCC) is a cross-disciplinary outreach program dedicated to promoting sustainability at the campus and community level.

Organized by the BioEnergy and Sustainable Technology (BEST) Laboratory, the SCC was started to educate UF students about the importance of food waste composting and provide an opportunity to compost their own food waste. The SCC encourages and trains students, faculty, and staff at the University of Florida and the Gainesville community to compost their food waste and to appreciate the value of recycling by turning this waste into natural fertilizers.

The SCC maintains several composters to allow students and others in the UF community to compost their food waste. SCC closes the compost loop by maintaining a student-run organic garden in which students grow their own organic food using the compost they helped to create. Large barrels that collect rainwater allow students to easily irrigate their garden plots with a more sustainable source of water.

Encouraging students to use these eco-friendly practices builds awareness and environmental responsibility that contribute to their personal and communal growth, while the gardens serve as a place for students to relax, study and enjoy the outdoors. The SCC hosts open houses and field days and participates in a variety of other educational events to help build awareness and educate others about the benefits of composting.

SCC

How it works:

The SCC has an open door policy. Food waste can be brought to the composters at any time. When you place your food waste in the composter, please turn the compost to mix the fresh food waste into the compost. Turning facilitates the biodegradation and prevents odors. If you do not have a container to transport your food waste to the composters, we can provide you with one.

composting area


Research on Our Compost  


Compost Composition and Application Rate Have a Greater Impact on Spinach Yield and Soil Fertility Benefits Than Feedstock Origin

Food-Based Composts Provide More Soil Fertility Benefits Than Cow Manure-Based Composts in Sandy Soils


Founder and Director

Ann C. Wilkie
Dr. Ann C. Wilkie began the Student Compost Cooperative as a place for students to compost their food waste and learn about sustainable practices. She continues to host and direct the SCC at her lab, the BioEnergy and Sustainable Technology Laboratory.

For research and outreach questions, contact her at acwilkie@ufl.edu.

 

 

 

 

Attention Campus Organizations!

Are you having an event or meeting and don’t want to send your food waste to the landfill? The Student Compost Coorperative is here to help you. We welcome you to bring out any food waste from your event to the SCC for composting. We have rolling food waste bins for signout if you need them. Please contact the current coordinator below to arrange bin pick up/drop off and food waste composting.


Sign Up for Composting Orientation

Join us on Facebook

Visit us on Instagram


SCC Orientation Flyer

Spring 2024 Student Support Team


To get started with the SCC please contact the students below according to your area of interest.

Composting


Rebecca Watters
Compost Manager

I am a 5th-year student at the University of Florida and will be completing my Bachelors and Masters of Accounting in Spring 2024. I am also pursuing an undergraduate minor in Sustainability Studies. I hope to combine my business knowledge and interests in sustainability to work as a consultant for businesses looking to mitigate their environmental footprint while maintaining a competitive business environment.

Please contact me with any questions about composting at the Student Compost Cooperative and to get more information about composting orientation.

Fifth Year Accounting major - Fisher School of Accounting, and Sustainability Studies minor - College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Age: 21
Hometown: Bradenton, Florida
Phone Number: 941-779-8405
E-mail: rwatters@ufl.edu

 

Rebecca Watters

 

Gardening and Garden Plots:

 

Sebastian Slagel
Garden Manager

I'm a fourth year dental student and my class's Sustainability Chair. My goal is to bring sustainable practices to the field of dentistry, gardening included.

Please reach out to me with any questions about the garden or getting a plot.

Senior, College of Dentistry
Age: 26
Hometown: Apopka, FL
Phone Number: 407-473-4330
E-mail: sslagel@dental.ufl.edu

Sebastian Slagel

 

Social Media and Outreach:

Geovanna Berguin
Social Media and Outreach Co-Coordinator: Contact me with general questions or for information about events at the SCC.

Sophomore, Psychology (Neuroscience focus) - College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Age: 19
Hometown: Fort Myers, Florida
Phone: 239-357-5074
E-mail: geovannaberguinufl.edu

Geovanna Berguin

 

Regena Darbouze
Social Media and Outreach Co-Coordinator: Contact me with general questions about sustainable living or for information about events at the SCC!

Sophomore, Majoring in Psychology- Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, and on the Pre-Medicine Track
Age: 19
Hometown: Weston, Florida
Phone: 954-635-0078
Email: regena.darbouze@ufl.edu

Regena Darbouze

 

Jacqueline Marshall
Social Media and Outreach Co-Coordinator: Contact me with general questions or for information about events at the SCC.

Sophomore, Majoring in Applied Physiology & Kinesiology, College of Health and Human Performance and Minoring in Nutritional Sciences, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
Age: 19
Hometown: Plantation, Florida
Phone: 954-614-6085
E-mail: j.marshall1@ufl.edu

Jacqueline Marshall

 

Click here to see past student support team members

Resources:

Program for composting of student food waste [Poster] Presented at the 2009 UF Undergraduate Research Symposium

Student Compost Cooperative [Flyer]

Composting basics and troubleshooting [Presentation]