Somerset needs new champions to help its gardeners and growers save and improve their soil, one garden or allotment at a time.
A call is going out to find good composters who can foster this vital skill throughout the county.
Free training, helpful support and the chance to be a Compost Champion are on offer from eco-education charity the Carymoor Environmental Trust, backed by Somerset Waste Partnership.
A one-day free course is being held in October for Somerset residents who can commit some time to promoting composting in their local community.
Compost Champions are volunteers who help others start composting at home, and offer support to people who need advice or encouragement to keep going or overcome any difficulties.
Started in 2009, the Compost Champion scheme now has more than 60 volunteers across Somerset who raise awareness among fellow residents of the benefits of composting.
They can choose to promote composting in a variety of ways, such as a chatting to a neighbour, talking to a school, writing an article for a parish magazine, or taking a display to an event.
Carymoor chief executive Rupert Farthing said: “Composting has many benefits; converting organic matter into a free fertilizer, it improves soil structure, helps plants grow and cuts waste.”
The free training covers the composting process, ways to use compost, and how to help others get started and do more.
With helpful support and materials, becoming a Compost Champion is a great way to meet new people, learn valuable skills, and benefit from being part of a team that makes a difference.
The next training course is being held at Trinity Hall in Frome on Saturday 15 October from 10am to 4pm.
For more information or to sign up, email Rupert Farthing on [email protected] or call 01963 350143.