Resource Library
Guides, tools, and training resources supporting community compost planning, education, and infrastructure development.
Browse by Topic
Compost System Planning
Guides and tools for planning, sizing, and designing effective community compost systems.
Compost Building Guides
Construction guides and technical resources for building compost infrastructure and equipment.
Compost Education & Certification
Training programs and certification resources to support compost operators and educators.
Compost Funding & Grants
Funding opportunities and grant programs supporting community compost infrastructure and development.
Compost System Planning
People, Food & Land Foundation · Calla Rose Ostrander
A comprehensive guide outlining key considerations for planning and developing community compost systems. Includes a practical planning checklist to support site selection, capacity planning, and implementation steps.
People, Food & Land Foundation · Stephanie Cain
An interactive tool for estimating feedstock availability and composting capacity needs across California communities.
UCANR
This guide provides worksheets and information to determine moisture content, bulk density, and free air space. While this was designed primarily for on-farm agricultural and manure composting, the general info and tools apply to most feedstocks.
UCANR
Guidance on evaluating compost quality, maturity, and suitability for agricultural use.
Institute for Local Self-Reliance (ILSR)
Recorded webinar covering best practices for launching and managing successful community composting programs.
Truckee Meadows Community College
The TMCC Compost Wizard helps estimate the carbon-to-nitrogen (C:N) ratio of a compost mix based on selected materials and volumes.
UCANR
Elementos basicos del compostaje y beneficios del compostaje
UCANR · Pamela Geisel, Donna Seaver
Composting basics and beneficial uses of compost
UCANR · Margaret Lloyd, Daniel Geisseler, Patricia Lazicki, Joji Murramoto, Richard Smith
An interactive guide to understanding seasonal and crop specific organic nitrogen budgets
UCANR · Margaret Lloyd, Daniel Geisseler, Patricia Lazicki, Joji Murramoto, Richard Smith
Associated calculator to understand nitrogen budgets
Wanu Organics
Free resources to help composting professionals plan facilities, estimate throughput, manage materials, and navigate regulations
Sustainable Economies Law Center · Institute for Local Self-Reliance
Making compost law and policy more accessible to everyday people
AACT Working Lands Hub
Supporting land stewards with natural resources management and conservation resources navigation
Institute for Local Self-Reliance
The resources you need to advance local composting — as a composter, farmer, policymaker, advocate, or local government — all in one place.
CalRecycle
This assessment tool is an optional planning tool to assist Tribes in identifying their degree of readiness for composting programs and determining the ideal program scale.
CalRecycle
A Needs Assessment for Tribes to understand priorities, needs, and challenges with developing and operating composting programs on Tribal lands.
Compost Building Guides
Three-Bin ASP Compost System
CACC · Timothy England
A construction guide for building a three-bin aerated static pile compost system.
In development · Not yet published
Wheelbarrow Mounted Screener
CACC · Timothy England
Design plans for a manual screener to process finished compost.
In development · Not yet published
Community Compost Kiosk
CACC · Timothy England
Design concepts and build guidance for a community compost collection kiosk.
In development · Not yet published
Compost Education & Certification
Compost Academy
Compost Academy Training courses focused on compost science, operations, and site management. Courses include a live mentorship program, a self-paced program, a microscopy course, and a free intro course.
131 School
Educational programming centered on sustainable agriculture and compost practices. Courses include Soilwise Microbial Assessment, Compost Operator Certificate, Aerated Static Pile Composting, and an Operator Discussion Series
USCC · Compost Foundation
Professional certification program for compost facility operators.
Institute for Local Self-Reliance (ILSR)
An online certificate course supporting the development of community-scale composting programs.
Compost Funding & Grants
Deadline: September 1st
World Wildlife Foundation
Both the national media campaign and community grants will focus on changing specific habits and behaviors to prevent wasted food in households. Grantees will design and deliver hands-on programs that build on the impact of the national media campaign to deliver behavior change locally.
Deadline: September 8th
CalFire
Tribal Wildfire Resilience grants fund planning and implementation projects that serve California Native American Tribes and advance wildfire resilience, forest health, and cultural use of fire.