I. BACKGROUND::

Beginning in 1997, the Cayuga Nature Center (CNC) initiated work on a composting facility in the Tompkins County region that could handle up to 1000 cubic yards of food waste. It was proposed that establishing and promoting a well run, low technology demonstration food scrap compost site at CNC could encourage more participation in composting throughout the region thereby reducing the amount of food waste going to landfills. Cayuga Nature Center was a logical organization to accomplish this due to its mission of promoting environmental education including that in the agricultural arena, and its close relationship with other organizations such as Cornell University and Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County. Cayuga Nature Center is located in Ithaca, New York, a community that is often receptive to new ideas.

The steps to accomplish this were 3-fold:

• Setup a working demonstration food scrap compost site at CNC. By going though the steps of establishing a composting facility we would therefore be more knowledgeable in speaking about the process with others who might be interested in establishing their own site.
  
  
• Conduct a 3-day workshop teaching the technical aspects of operating a food scrap compost. Also CNC did general educational outreach to the public about the project.
  
  
• Directly contacted individuals, organizations and businesses that could benefit from large-scale food scrap composting to encourage their future involvement.