A message from our friends at Soil Ecology Lab:
Dear Composters,
Soil Ecology Lab have just opened up the first UK compost championships, a competition aiming to bring together composters from all over the UK, who collectively compost every type of waste imaginable, and to challenge them to make the best compost in the UK!
“Best compost” can be a divisive phrase in this community. The way the competition is being judged is on the levels and diversity of microbial life within the soil seen through microscope analysis. Everyone's results will be placed in a public ranking table, with a winner being celebrated every 3 months, as well as an overall winner being declared next December. We have a number of wonderful compost related sponsors who have offered up a selection of prizes for the winners and runners up.
But, this competition is designed to celebrate everyone who composts, because we think you’re all awesome! All participants get access to bi-weekly community zoom calls hosted by us, where you can bring a question or discussion point to the group, or you can just sit back and gleam some knowledge by listening to a bunch of compost nerds natter away.
Every entrant also gets 20% off the next soil ecology lab training session (Feb/Mar and Nov/Dec). We hold training in; how to make biologically rich compost through the hot composting method (Berkeley method); how to create a compost extract and grow out various microbes through a compost tea, how to analyse your compost and liquid extracts through microscopy (both 1 and 4 day courses), and a 3 day precision organic nutrition course.
The most important reward for all competitors is the deeper knowledge gained about the compost that you have put time, thought, and effort into. Understanding the value of what you're inoculating your soil or seeds with is vital for the health of the soil and the plants growing in it.
So please do join in the fun and sign up to the UK’s First Compost Championships, you certainly won't regret it! All compost types accepted!
Happy decomposing!
Mulch Love and Worm regards,
Soil Ecology Laboratory