Classes & Workshops

The Compost Education Program offers classes and workshops for individuals throughout the year to help you succeed at composting at your home or apartment.  See the descriptions below, and visit our Events page for access to all CCE-Tompkins classes and events.

Fall Outdoor Composting Class

Thursday, October 9, 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm

CCETC, 615 Willow Ave, Ithaca

Beginners and experienced home composters alike can "dig deeper" into the art and science of outdoor composting. We guarantee that you will acquire composting knowledge and skills that you can put to use this fall/winter! Register online or call CCE-Tompkins during businesses hours (607) 272-2292.

Contact Adam Michaelides at 607-272-2292 or acm1@cornell.edu with any questions.

World Earthworm Day Book Discussion

Tuesday, October 21, 5:30 - 7:00 pm

CCETC, 615 Willow Ave, Ithaca

You are invited to a community book discussion of Charles Darwin’s last published work, The Formation of Vegetable Mould Through the Action of Worms, at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County! The book discussion will be led by CCETC Master Composter and Master Gardener Clare Jones. Event free and open to the public. Register online or call CCE-Tompkins during businesses hours (607) 272-2292.

Contact Adam Michaelides at 607-272-2292 or acm1@cornell.edu with any questions.

Fall Worm Composting Class

Saturday, October 25, 10:00 am - 12:30 pm

CCETC, 615 Willow Ave, Ithaca

Learn how worms can make fast, rich compost for your garden while disposing of your food scraps. Take home the bin, a starter population of worms, and the knowledge to tend to your new pets. Space is limited. Register online or call CCE-Tompkins during businesses hours (607) 272-2292.

Contact Adam Michaelides at 607-272-2292 or acm1@cornell.edu with any questions.

Bokashi Composting Class

Saturday, November 15, 10:00 am - 12:30 pm

CCETC, 615 Willow Ave, Ithaca

This Japanese composting technique involves natural fermentation and offers a way for people to manage food scraps. Join local bokashi enthusiasts to learn about the practice and go home with your own bokashi starter kit. Space is limited. Register online or call CCE-Tompkins during businesses hours (607) 272-2292.

Contact Adam Michaelides at 607-272-2292 or acm1@cornell.edu with any questions.

Virtual Compost Fair and 4H Duck Race

Held online on Sun, Sept 13, 2020; recording available!

Description: Continuing our long-standing partnership with the 4-H Duck Race, we broadcasted ~20 minutes of family-oriented and educational programming.

Our compost programming features four ~5 min segments:

• Rot N Roll, Tompkins County’s best compost cover band performing their #1 hit, “Rot Me Mamma”
• Master Composter (MC) Daniel Baruch '20 teaching about outdoor composting basics at the CCETC Demo site
• MC Romina Capelli '20 and her 3 awesome children showing off their home worm composting bin
• Adam Michaelides, Compost Educator, telling folks where they can learn more, and giving away 2 fabulous compost prizes

Feel free to tune into our 2020 Virtual Compost Fair anytime! https://youtu.be/EcuJnYkSM8o?t=1343

Other Compost Classes and Workshops

• Compost Learning Collaborative Training
• Master Composter Training
• Spring Worm Composting Class

Last updated September 18, 2025