Last weekend, Mid-South RC&D staff participated in the Composting & Worm Bin Workshop located in downtown Montgomery at EAT South with partner organizations Urban Agriculture in Alabama and the National Association of RC&D Councils. The Urban Agriculture in Alabama initiative launched the trilogy of interactive workshops taking place throughout Montgomery sponsored in part by the Mid-South RC&D Council. 

Participants of all ages were taught about composting through live demonstrations and hands-on activities including worm bin assembly and compost layering under the instruction of Amanda Edwards and Caylor Roling with EAT South. Dorris Skipper also provided valuable information on NRCS and Urban Ag assistance programs. After the presentations, group members were then given the opportunity to ask questions, share experiences, and receive tips from the experts at EAT South that were later put to the test as participants built their own compost bins complete with live worms. 

The compost bin itself is stored in a cool, dark space like under the kitchen sink. Over time, the environment and worms work together to break down scraps such as fruit and vegetable peelings, eggshells, and coffee grounds. This super-nutrient decomposed matter is the perfect “food” for soil, adding more of the vitamins and minerals that enhance crop growth. Easy and affordable, composting benefits urban areas by reducing methane emissions and helping plants and other microorganisms actually pull carbon out of the air. 

It’s no secret that urban areas suffer from the effects of environmental issues. Urban agriculture allows for the development of a variety of environmental, economic, and social benefits to the surrounding communities. Urban farming can reduce transportation costs, help reduce runoff associated with heavy rainfall, and lead to better air quality; composting directly tackles the issue of global warming. 

Projects like the Composting & Worm Bin Workshop help bring awareness of resources available to urban citizens and practices that can be implemented to help conserve and enhance urban areas. Local organizations like EAT South make it possible for Montgomery citizens to come together, gain a sense of community, and give back to conservation. 

Additional Urban Agriculture in Alabama workshops will take place later in June. The second workshop, Gardening After Hours: Drip Irrigation, will also take place at EAT South from 5:00-7:30 PM on June 15. On June 25, Young Men on a Mission will host the Summer Veggies Workshop from 1:00-3:00 PM at the Nixon-Times Community Garden. 

Mid-South RC&D is honored to help bring these fun, informative workshops to our communities in Montgomery. Please visit https://urbanagricultureinalabama.org to learn more information or register for upcoming workshops.