WSU Extension > Kitsap County > Workshops for Backyard Composting

Workshops for Backyard Composting

Welcome to Backyard Composting Education

Washington State University Kitsap Extension, in partnership with Kitsap County Public Works Solid Waste Division, offers this workshop series to expand community access to research-based backyard composting education, so community members of all backgrounds can become informed, active stewards by learning to recycle like nature.

About the Series

Participants explore the longevity of organic waste and best management practices. Each class blends presentation, guided instruction, and hands‑on activities to create a rich, experiential learning environment. Classes are held in person and run approximately 1.5 to 2.5 hours, depending on the topic and participant engagement activities.

Each class offered will cover these topics:

Organic materials in the waste stream and the impact.
Learn to spot the organics! And what is considered contamination.
Soil Science and the Soil Food Web
Then we get specific, diving into the topic by learning how the process works, how to create it ourselves, and how it’s applied. It’s like DIY with a tune-up, added benefits to lower your cost and make backyard composting the right choice for you.

Whether you are just beginning your composting journey or looking to deepen your expertise, we invite you to join us.

Prior to class attendance, we recommended these materials for viewing to give our cohort of learners shared context as we discuss composting and the relationships within the soil.

Workshop Composting Events:

These workshops will be provided on both weekdays and weekends to accommodate your access to this training series.

Our Compost Demonstration site (Located at: Blueberry Park, 737 SylvanWay, Bremerton, WA 98310) provided in partnership with WSU Kitsap Master Gardeners and Bremerton City Parks & Recreation.

Stay connected!

The monthly WSU Extension newsletter brings you local content about events, trainings, and program updates from partner organizations. Sign up for the WSU Kitsap Extension Newsletter.

Soil Solutions to Climate Problems – Narrated by Michael Pollan (Video 4.09 minutes)
Composting Is One Solution to Climate Change (Video 3.47 minutes)
Climate Change by Dr. Craig Cogger (Video 7.49 minutes)
The Soil Story by Kiss The Ground (Video 3.56 minutes)
- Visit the website Kiss the Ground that shares the importance of healthy soil for a healthy planet.
Bringing Our Soils Back to Life and saving Civilization – (Video 56 min.) Dr. David R. Montgomery’s
presentation to the Washington Organic Recycling Council on how we can restore soils around the world.
- Don’t have an hour to watch this? Read Yes Magazine’s How to Turn Dirt Into Soil article instead!

Additional educational materials may be provided during the class sessions to enhance your instruction.

Participation Expectations:

This workshop series is focused on creating experiential learning through demonstration and hand’s-on activity. Dress for the weather, bring gloves, wear sturdy shoes, snack, water, and a childlike sense of wonder; we are going to get our hands’ dirty.

Registration

Workshops are free of charge for Kitsap County residents, but registration is required.

Enrollment is first‑come, first‑served and limited to 25 participants per series to ensure a high‑quality, interactive learning experience.

Workshop Offerings

Passive Composting

Learning Objectives:
-What passive composting is and how it differs from active (hot) composting
-How decomposition occurs –
-How to set up simple systems such as piles, bins, trenches, tumblers, and sheet composting
-What materials to add (and avoid) for balanced breakdown
-How to manage moisture, airflow, and expectations for slower composting
-Troubleshooting tips to avoid common mistakes

Bokashi

What you’ll learn:
-What Bokashi composting is and how the fermentation process works
-How to set up a Bokashi system, including DIY options
-Step-by-step guidance on managing the process
-Common troubleshooting tips and how to avoid common mistakes
-How to Use Bokashi Tea

Vermiculture

Learning Objectives:
-Benefits of worm bin composting and how it differs from traditional composting.
-Worm biology/behavior: Ideal living conditions for worms
-How to set up a worm bin for backyard scale composting
-Harvesting and using worm bin castings
-Troubleshooting common issues

Funding for this education is provided by Kitsap County Public Works, Solid Waste Division.