Fall Quarterly Newsletter – 2019
Solana Center’s New Year
For many, fall marks the end of summer, while for others, it is the beginning of something new. We’re starting this year (fiscal and school) with many new program offerings and school visits. Our educators are excited to offer several Master Composter courses throughout the region and an “On Farm” composting workshop series. And this year we will be reaching even more schools with compost and recycling education.
The Food Cycle drop-off program is bursting at the seams, turning food scraps into healthy soils. We currently have limited Food Cycle spots for Del Mar residents and will soon be adding spaces in the program for others in San Diego County. Fill out the Food Cycle interest form for more information. Also, Less to Landfill waste audits and consulting are available to organizations and businesses in some cities, at no cost. Contact us to learn more about Less to Landfill.
We are honored to be recognized by the California Resource Recovery Association (CRRA) with the Dave Hardy award for Leadership in Organics. We were recognized for our work returning nutrients to the soil, having an impact on reducing the amount of waste sent to the landfill and returning carbon to the soil instead of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Before long, sorting into the organic waste bin will be second nature for our children, just as the blue recycling bin has become today.
Thanks to growing donor support, including the Parker Foundation, City National Bank, Ford, and the County of San Diego, our internal processes are becoming more efficient. This summer, we built the Trommel sifter, which was entirely funded by individual donations. Thank you for responding to the call for donations with your hard earned dollars!
We are off to an excellent start to our new year.
Resourcefully,
Jessica
From the Rotline: What is Trenching?
Do you have food waste but no place to put it? Instead of putting it in the garbage and sending it to the landfill, perhaps try trenching as an option. We worked with volunteers to trench food waste directly into the ground using extra buckets of Bokashied food scraps from Solana Center’s Food Cycle program. The result: healthy soil.
Trenching is the act of burying organic waste directly into the ground as an alternative method to traditional, above-ground composting.
Q: Do red wigglers belong in my backyard compost bin?
A: This is a question that comes up often when folks visit our store to purchase composting worms, and we often have to urge folks not to add worms to their backyard bin. The reason lies in the fundamental differences between traditional (backyard) composting and vermicomposting.
Volunteer Spotlight: Vermicomposting Around the World
From Encinitas to Ecuador
Gigi Barbecho from Ecuador was a volunteer with Solana Center, became a Master Composter, completed an interexchange in Atlanta and returned to Ecuador to share her composting knowledge. In April, Gigi started vermicomposting on her small property using the skills she learned with Solana Center. She has shared her techniques with her neighbors. Pictured here is her wonderful experience putting into practice all that she learned with Solana Center. Now, she works a small piece of land hoping to grow lettuces, cabbage and some peppers.
You, too, can become a Master Composter! Our next, 5-part course begins Sunday, 9/22, in Ramona.
Master Composter trainings will also be taught soon in Encinitas and the City of San Diego.
Compost Training Courses
Master Composter – Ramona
“On Farm” 3-part Workshop Series – Escondido
Take part in this innovative, farmer-focused workshop that will share information about creating healthier soils, reducing pests without pesticides and more.
Upcoming Compost Workshops
All About Worms – Encinitas
Saturday, September 14th
10:00 – 12:00 PM
Community Center
1140 Oakcrest Park Drive, Encinitas
Sponsored by the City of Encinitas
Backyard Composting and Intro to Bokashi Workshop – Escondido
Saturday, September 14th
9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Deer Park Monastery
2499 Melru Lane, Escondido
Sponsored by the County of San Diego
THIS WORKSHOP IS FULL.
Basics of Backyard Composting and Vermicomposting – Rancho San Diego
Basics of Backyard Composting and Vermicomposting – Escondido
Basics of Backyard Composting – Lake San Marcos
1105 La Bonita Drive-San Marcos
Sponsored by the County of San Diego. Hosted by the Lake San Marcos Garden Club.
All About Worm Composting – Bay Park Morena District
Basics of Backyard Composting and Vermicomposting – San Diego
4421 Bannock Ave, San Diego
Basics of Backyard Composting and Vermicomposting – Encinitas
695 Normandy Road, Encinitas
Manure Management and Compost Workshop – El Cajon
4414 Dehesa Rd, El Cajon
Basics of Backyard Composting and Vermicomposting – Rancho San Diego
Manure Management and Compost Workshop – Valley Center
Learn how to produce a fantastic soil product from large animal manure and protect your watershed in this introductory, 2-hour workshop.
30017 Wilhite Lane, Valley Center
Green Living Tours
Would you like to green your home? Our monthly, one-hour tour in Encinitas walks you through some easy steps to start reducing water use and food waste, improving soil health and more, with practical solutions to incorporate into your daily life! If you find the inspiration to purchase composting supplies or borrow tools, our store and lending shed will be open. Join us to learn about the possibilities. Bring your e-waste for drop off.
Saturday, September 7th
10:00 – 11:00 AM
Green Living Tour – Solana Center for Environmental Innovation
137 N. El Camino Real, Encinitas
$10 suggested donation
Rain Barrel season is here!
Order now. Pick up your discounted rain barrel in October!
Rain barrels can collect up to 50 gallons of untreated rain water and dew, helping outdoor plants thrive. They also conserve water and prevent harmful runoff from reaching the ocean. They retail in stores for $129 but you can purchase a rain barrel from Solana Center for a discounted rate of $90. If you qualify for the unincorporated San Diego County resident discount and the SoCal WaterSmart rebate, the total cost for each rain barrel can be as low as $25. Discount applies to first 200 rain barrels sold. First come, first served.
Got E-Waste?
Coastal North County businesses can sign up for e-waste pickup (in partnership with Urban Corps of San Diego).
Pick up is available the 3rd Wednesday each month from 10 AM to 2 PM.
Sign up by Sunday, September 15 for Pick up Wednesday, September 18.
Volunteer with Solana Center!
Solana Center is gearing up for a busy fall and we are looking for more volunteers to help us carry out our mission. Do you like talking with people about environmental issues? Do you like getting your hands dirty? Do you like participating in events? Find out how you can put your creative or passionate education abilities to work for sustainability! Learn more and sign up!
Become a Member of Solana Center!
As a member, you can make a HUGE difference in your community. Our members are key to helping us further our mission, and grow our innovative programs to reach and educate more San Diegans, divert more waste, prevent more greenhouse gases, and continue to innovate for the benefit of our region and our planet.
Memberships start at $35, and you can be sure that every single dollar of your membership goes right back into our community, helping us to improve the environmental health of San Diego.
Make a difference in 2019 with a tax-deductible donation to Solana Center!
You get the gratification of knowing your money is helping environmental work here in San Diego AND a tax write-off! Click the “Donate” button below to contribute!