EXTENSION PROGRAM:

I have a full-time appointment in extension in the area of solid waste management. My focus areas include waste prevention, reuse, recycling, composting, and vermicomposting. In North Carolina and nationally, I have taken on a number of leadership roles in the areas of vermicomposting and composting. As Director of NCSU's Compost Training Facility, I conduct research and training programs on composting and vermicomposting.  I have served on the Board of Directors for state and national composting councils. A co-founder of the National Backyard Composting Program, I also served as a Master Composter Trainer for this program. I have published numerous fact sheets and articles on vermicomposting and composting.

Much of my work has addressed commercial and industrial waste reduction, with specific emphasis on the construction and lodging industries. My work in these areas includes creating a videotape and fact sheet to train construction workers how to reduce and recycle waste created on job sites, producing a videotape and fact sheet on deconstruction, and preparing a manual, fact sheet, and slide set for lodging managers on waste prevention and recycling.  I also created a curriculum and trainers' course and manual entitled Commercial and Industrial Solid Waste Reduction Training for Community Solid Waste Managers, and have conducted training courses using this curriculum in California, New Mexico, and North Carolina.

SELECT PROJECTS, GRANTS, AND CONTRACTS:

Pilot Project for Value-Added Product Development for Solid Waste Generated on Swine Farms. Co-Project Collaborator with Williams, Creamer, Murray, and Renkow. USDA-NRCS Conservation Innovation Grant. 2006-08. $376,988.

Development of Marketable By-Products From Alternative Swine Waste Treatment Technologies. Co-Project Director with Humenik, Classen, Chen, and Zering. GoldenLeaf, Inc. 2004. $200,000.

Comprehensive NPS Pollution Control Training for North Carolina.  Co-Project Director with Spooner, Hoover, Lindbo, Lombardo, McLaughlin, Shaffer, and
Sheffield. Environmental Protection Agency. 2001-03. $315,000.

Vermicomposting Animal Manures. CALS Animal Waste Management Programs. 2001-03. $10,000.

Comprehensive NPS Pollution Control Training for North Carolina. Co-Project Directors: Spooner, Hoover, Lindbo, Lombardo, McLaughlin, Shaffer, Sheffield, and Sherman. Environmental Protection Agency. 2000-01. $250,000.

Vermicomposting as an Animal Waste Management Component. Co-Project Directors: Classen, Rice, and Sherman. Term: 1996-01. Funded by: Environmental Protection Agency. $40,000.

PRINCIPAL RESULTS:

I have trained hundreds of solid waste managers and extension agents throughout North Carolina on a variety of waste prevention, recycling and composting issues. Used oil recycling training sessions and support materials have resulted in the implementation of effective education programs and the collection of thousands of gallons of used motor oil. My commercial and industrial solid waste management curriculum has been used to train solid waste managers in several states to develop new programs. As a result of training workshops and a popular guide, hundreds of small-scale vermicomposting systems have been set up in classrooms and homes. Construction workers are learning to reduce and recycle waste created on job sites through the use of videos created in English and Spanish.

FUTURE PLANS:

Future plans include presenting on-site and large-scale composting training courses, producing training materials and workshops on sustainability, and broadening the vermicomposting and commercial waste management programs.