Join Solana Center for this 1-hour webinar where you will learn the basics of traditional backyard composting. Using trial-tested advice, our experienced educators will teach you all you need to know to get started with a bin that fits your needs and lifestyle. Perfect for beginners.

In this webinar, we will cover:

• What is composting and why it is so important

• Various types of compost bin options and how to pick which one works best for your needs

• What tools and materials you’ll need

• Which items are compostable and which to avoid

• How to build, maintain, and troubleshoot a compost pile

Composting benefits for your garden and living a greener life include:

• Knowing where your food scraps are going and keeping them out of the landfill

• Knowing exactly what went into your compost

• Using compost in your garden to increase soil water retention, and as a result, saving money

• Increasing soil microbiome & overall soil health for happy plants

Beautify your space with plants that invite butterflies, hummingbirds, and other pollinators!

Cost: SDBG Members $29, Non-members $39

Ages: 18+

Birds, bees, and butterflies are important pollinators that are critical for thriving local ecosystems, farms, and backyard gardens. Join Solana Center's Senior Environmental Educator, Jennifer Galey, to learn how you can use California native pollinator plants to create a vibrant, welcoming, and colorful habitat for pollinators at home. Workshop fee includes entry to the garden!

In this workshop, we will cover:

• Plant choices for attracting specific pollinators

• Importance of providing food, shelter, water, and host plants for the pollinators

• Why native plants are especially beneficial

• How healthy 'living soil' benefits your garden's ecosystem

• Pesticide and fertilizer alternatives

• Best methods for irrigation and watering

• Where to see native plants at SDBG

All workshop participants will be able to take home native pollinator seeds to get started on their projects.

Things to know:

• Bring a notepad and pen if you’d like to take notes

• Park in the main San Diego Botanic Garden lot at the Welcome Center (Quail Gardens Drive and, Ecke Ranch Rd, Encinitas, CA 92024), accessed at the roundabout

• Check in at the ticketing office, where you will be directed to the classroom in the back of the building

“Attending the … workshop hosted at the San Diego Botanic Garden and presented by the Solana Center opened the door to a new gardening adventure for me.” - Terri Breining

Prepare your garden for El Niño & take advantage of the extra rain!

BEFORE REGISTERING, please enter your address here to check your residency. You can select the County of San Diego Residents ticket option ONLY if your jurisdiction boundary result is exactly “S.D. COUNTY.” All others must select the waitlist option.

Residents of unincorporated County of San Diego receive preferential registration. All others will be placed on a waitlist and apprised of space available 1-2 weeks before the workshop. All pre-registered attendees who are residents of unincorporated San Diego County will receive a FREE kitchen scraps container, courtesy of the County of San Diego. 

In this workshop, we will cover:

• Using mulch and compost to build healthy soil that conserves water and reduces erosion

• Managing irrigation efficiently to reduce water use and cost

• Soil types and gardening styles

• Rainwater management basics: rain barrels, swales, and rain gardens

• San Diego climate-appropriate planting

Learn how to create a less thirsty and more environmentally-friendly landscape that saves water and money! Join us at this workshop hosted by the Pine Valley Library, where Solana Center’s knowledgeable educators will teach you all you need to know to get started with a garden that fits San Diego’s semi-arid climate.

We can bring PRE-ORDERED compost bins and supplies to the workshop! Residents of unincorporated County of San Diego can purchase a subsidized bin with proof of residency.

View available products here. Order deadline: Wednesday, September 23.

To place your order:

1. Make a purchase on our online store.

2. Forward your emailed order confirmation to [email protected] by 3:00 p.m. Wednesday, September 23, and let us know it is a pre-order for this workshop.

3. Talk to the educator after the workshop to pick up your order.

Space is limited; first come, first served.

A store purchase is not required to attend the workshop. During the workshop, we will provide resources about how to purchase supplies when you're ready to get started. Items will not be available for same-day purchase.

Special deals for unincorporated San Diego County residents:

Compost bin ($50 for unincorporated San Diego County residents, $122 for others)

Can O Worms Vermicomposter ($60 for unincorporated San Diego County residents; $150 for other residents)

Thanks to our host, Pine Valley Library

Learn how you can save money and reduce pests by composting your livestock manure! Horses, chickens, goats, sheep, and more! Composting manure helps protect your local watershed, prevents pollution in waterways, and produces a fantastic soil amendment. Composting is easy and inexpensive and can help reduce flies, odors, and waterway contamination. Using composted manure on your garden and landscaping will also help enrich your soil and conserve water.

This workshop will cover:

• The basics & benefits of composting 

• How to incorporate manure into compost piles

• Scaling up or down compost pile size

• Local regulations and requirements

• Preventing odors and flies; and

• Protecting local water sources

Benefits of manure composting:

• Saves water and money (fewer purchased amendments)

• Increases soil health and biodiversity

• Prevents flies and odors; and

• Protects waterways

Composting with worms, also known as vermicomposting, has benefits for everyone, whether you want to divert kitchen scraps from the landfill, compost in small spaces, or create a natural fertilizer for your plants. In-ground worm composting is especially suited to San Diego County’s climate and is more resilient to the temperature extremes we face, especially during dry, hot months. Join us at the Julian Library to learn how to start and maintain a happy home for red wiggler worms.

All pre-registered attendees who are residents of unincorporated San Diego County can receive a free kitchen scraps container.

In this workshop, we will cover:

• Benefits of composting with worms

• Benefits of using an in-ground worm bin

• Tools, materials, and steps to start an in-ground worm bin

• How to feed your worms and which foods are suitable

• Troubleshooting and maintaining all worm bin styles

• Harvesting and using finished castings

Benefits of in-ground vermicomposting include:

• Greater resistance to temperature extremes

• Increased soil aeration in garden beds

• Save money on purchased worm castings and soil amendments

• Lower your contribution to landfills

• Increase soil health & soil microbiome

• Increase water retention in soil

Want to get started right away?

We can bring PRE-ORDERED compost bins and supplies to the workshop! Residents of unincorporated County of San Diego can purchase a subsidized bin with proof of residency.

View available products here. Order deadline: Friday, October 9.

To place your order:

1. Make a purchase on our online store.

2. Forward your emailed order confirmation to [email protected] by 3:00 p.m. Friday, October 9, and let us know it is a pre-order for this workshop.

3. Talk to the educator after the workshop to pick up your order.

Space is limited; first come, first served.

Recommended vermicomposting supplies:

• Best for families, people who produce lots of fruit & vegetable scraps; best deal with discount: Can O Worms Vermicomposter: $60 for unincorporated residents, $150 for other residents

• Best for apartments, individuals: Mini Worm Bin Kit: $50

• Best for raised garden beds, extreme climates: In-Ground Worm Bin: $35

Don't forget to add worms if your bin choice doesn't include them.

A store purchase is not required to attend the workshop. During the workshop, we will provide resources about how to purchase supplies when you're ready to get started. Items will not be available for same-day purchase.

Thanks to our host, Julian Library!

Container gardening is an affordable and accessible solution to growing your own herbs, vegetables, and flowers, even on a balcony or patio.

Cost: SDBG Members $29, Non-members $39

Ages: 18+

They fit in small spaces and can be aesthetically pleasing with many creative container choices! Native soils in San Diego County can be challenging for some plants; raised beds and containers filled with potting mix can save your back and help you grow healthy plants. Solana Center expert gardener Jennifer Galey will show you how to grow a successful container garden at home.

In this workshop, we will cover:

• Which plants will flourish in container growing conditions

• How to select the right container for plant types

• Potting mix recipes for different plant types 

• Best methods for irrigation and watering

• Incorporating compost and worm castings into your garden beds and containers
  

All workshop participants will be able to take home worm castings to give their garden soils a boost for fall planting projects!

Things to know:

• Bring a notepad and pen if you’d like to take notes

• Park in the main San Diego Botanic Garden lot at the Welcome Center (Quail Gardens Drive and, Ecke Ranch Rd, Encinitas, CA 92024), accessed at the roundabout

• Check in at the ticketing office, where you will be directed to the classroom in the back of the building

“I’m incredibly grateful to the Solana Center for offering such an engaging and informative workshop, and to the San Diego Botanic Garden for hosting it. What began as simple curiosity has become an enjoyable and rewarding part of my gardening journey.” - Terri Breining

This workshop is made possible with support from San Diego Botanic Garden and Hunter Industries Grant

Full Live Course (3 days) - $1200

October 21, 28, 29, 2026 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Virtual Zoom Meeting

Ticket sales close on October 16, 2026 at 5pm*

Discounts: 

• 10% off for current CRRA and SWANA members (inquire with your membership organization for more details)

  Group rate for 3 or more participants from the same organization can save 15%. Use code GROUPOCT26 during checkout.

  Early bird discount: save $25 when you register before October 10, 2026. Use code FALLINGEARLY26 during checkout.

• If your organization would like to pay by check, please reach out to [email protected] for more details.

Please note this course is intended for employees of California jurisdictions and organizations that support SB 1383 compliance

Award-winning Solana Center for Environmental Innovation, in partnership with California Resource Recovery Association (CRRA) and Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA), presents Food Recovery Inspection Training: California SB 1383 Compliance. Experts will present deep insights into the Edible Food Recovery aspect of California’s Short-Lived Climate Pollutant Reduction Act (SB 1383)

Solana Center has extensive experience inspecting and providing technical assistance to hundreds of businesses and food rescue organizations. Experts will present deep insights into the Edible Food Recovery aspect of California’s Short-Lived Climate Pollutant Reduction Act (SB 1383). Part 1 introduces relevant aspects of the law and then focuses on edible food rescue requirements. Part 2 takes place over two days and provides comprehensive training for conducting edible food recovery inspections in the commercial sector. Thousands of inspection hours have been distilled into a digestible format. Registrants who attend all 3 days of the training will receive a certificate of completion.

“This course has helped grow my knowledge about the importance of Food Recovery for both people and the planet. The information from the course helps to understand the potential Food Recovery programs have towards the goal of creating a sustainable future.” - Participant from August 2025 training.

This course is intended for employees of jurisdictions and organizations who support SB1383 compliance throughout the state of California.

This Course Will Be Taught By:

Part 1: Fundamentals of SB 1383 Food Recovery - October 21, 2026 - 9:00 - 2:00 PM PST

Part 1 covers the fundamentals of SB 1383 food recovery. Get in-depth information about how to comply with California’s regulations, which require organic waste recycling and surplus food recovery.

Topics Covered:

• The impetus behind the law

• Overview of the regulations

• Who must donate edible food

• Edible food recovery requirements

• Food recovery programming

• Types of recoverable food

• Donation liability and tax benefits

• Enforcement

Part 2: Inspection Training for Food Recovery - October 28 and 29, 2026- 9:00 - 2:00 PM PST

Part 2 provides you with in-depth information about how to comply with California’s SB 1383 regulations, in which food businesses must donate 100% of surplus edible food.

Topics Covered:

• Procedural breakdown of food recovery organization inspections and food generating business inspections

• Common challenges and lessons learned per sector

• Sector-specific compliance nuances for all business sectors

• Inspection demonstrations and interactive exercises

“This training was a great opportunity to learn more about the food recovery aspects of SB 1383. As someone who is new to their role and will soon be conducting these inspections, it was great to learn more about the process and be able to hear accounts from people who are experienced at being in the field. After this training, I am eager to get started conducting inspections to help bolster our city's food recovery program!” - City of Torrance Inspector

Please note: this training requires participants to use a camera and microphone to participate in the Zoom training. This is not a webinar format.

For more information, visit our SB 1383 Food Recovery Inspection Training Program homepage.
If you have any additional questions, please contact - [email protected]

Testimonials

“This course has helped grow my knowledge about the importance of Food Recovery for both people and the planet. The information from the course helps to understand the potential Food Recovery programs have towards the goal of creating a sustainable future.”

• Lee Mutter, City of El Cajon 

“The course struck a good balance between theory and practical tools and resources for use in the field during inspections. The real-life examples made the process seem approachable and helped me feel less intimidated about doing the inspections.”

• Liza Sagun, City of Azusa, Environmental Programs Specialist

“Good class, lots of good information to implement in my jurisdiction.”

• Pamela Quick, Town of Apple Valley  

“This training was a great opportunity to learn more about the food recovery aspects of SB 1383. As someone who is new to their role and will soon be conducting these inspections, it was great to learn more about the process and be able to hear accounts from people who are experienced at being in the field. After this training, I am eager to get started conducting inspections to help bolster our city's food recovery program!” 

• Kayla Casillas, City of Torrance

Frequently asked questions

This course has been featured in:

Seating is limited at this venue. Please bring a lawn or beach chair if you are able.

Join Solana Center for this 2-hour workshop where you will learn the basics of traditional backyard composting. Using trial-tested advice and demonstrations, our experienced educators will teach you all you need to know to get started with a bin that fits your needs and lifestyle. Perfect for beginners.

All pre-registered attendees who are residents of unincorporated San Diego County can receive a free kitchen scraps container.

In this workshop, we will cover:

• What is composting and why it is so important

• Various types of compost bin options and how to pick which one works best for your needs

• What tools and materials you’ll need

• Which items are compostable and which to avoid

• How to build, maintain, and troubleshoot a compost pile

Composting benefits for your garden and living a greener life include:

• Knowing where your food scraps are going and keeping them out of the landfill

• Knowing exactly what went into your compost

• Using compost in your garden to increase soil water retention, and as a result, saving money

• Increasing soil microbiome & overall soil health for happy plants

Want to get started right away?

We can bring PRE-ORDERED compost bins and supplies to the workshop! Residents of unincorporated County of San Diego can purchase a subsidized bin with proof of residency.

View available products here. Order deadline: Wednesday, October 21.

To place your order:

1. Make a purchase on our online store.

2. Forward your emailed order confirmation to [email protected] by 3:00 p.m. Wednesday, October 21, and let us know it is a pre-order for this workshop.

3. Talk to the educator after the workshop to pick up your order.

Space is limited; first come, first served.

A store purchase is not required to attend the workshop. During the workshop, we will provide resources about how to purchase supplies when you're ready to get started. Items will not be available for same-day purchase.

Exclusive discounts for Unincorporated San Diego County residents:

Compost bin ($50 for unincorporated San Diego County residents, $122 for others)

Can O Worms Vermicomposter ($60 for unincorporated San Diego County residents; $150 for other residents)

Arrival Instructions

Sweetwater Community Garden is at 5354 Sweetwater Road. The driveway is easy to miss, so here is a photo of what to expect when you arrive:

Thanks to our hosts, the Sweetwater Community Garden.

Solana Center’s knowledgeable speakers will present practical solutions for reducing food waste in your home and discuss how incorporating these practices into your daily life can be a great way to help the environment and save money. You have the power to reduce food waste by making small changes to your daily life and habits.

Join us to learn:

• Practical and successful methods to prevent food waste in your own kitchen

• How to divert food waste from the landfill

• Tips for buying only what you need, eating what you buy, and avoiding throwing away food.

• Where and how food is being wasted in the U.S. and around the world 

• The social, environmental, and economic impacts of food waste

Become a Master Composter! Join us at in Ramona to gain in-depth composting knowledge to expand your sustainable gardening practices. You can earn a certificate of completion after attending all five weeks, then go on to receive the Master Composter certification and badge after completing the additional requirements! Meet new people in this fun, hands-on course! Class size is limited. Course Fee: $25*

Master Composter Schedule:

Saturday, January 30th, 2027, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. 

Saturday, February 6th, 2027, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. 

Saturday, February 13th, 2027, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. 

Saturday, February 20th, 2027, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. 

Saturday, February 27th, 2027, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. 

After completing this 5-week course you will have a better understanding of how to:

• Minimize your carbon footprint and reduce methane emissions by keeping food and yard waste out of the landfill.

• Create natural nutrient-rich soil amendments with your food and yard waste that help your garden grow.

• Avoid using synthetic fertilizers and pesticides.

• Reduce water use and increase water retention. Compost increases your soil’s water-holding capacity and improves water retention. 

The Master Composter course provides training in the art and science of composting through lectures, demonstrations, and a field trip. The course covers the following topics:

• In-depth traditional composting and the basics of composting with worms (vermicomposting)

• Compost bin building and troubleshooting (in teams!)

• The microbiology of composting, including the role of fungi and bacteria

• Bokashi fermentation for saving food scraps to compost

• Macrodecomposers in your compost pile

• A field trip (Location TBA)

• The environmental impacts of composting

• … and much more!

How to get certified: Master Composter certification requires attendance at all 5 classes, as well as 30 volunteer hours of related community service. Certification is optional. 

Residents of unincorporated County of San Diego receive preferential registration. All others will be placed on a waitlist and apprised of space available 1-2 weeks before the start of the course.

BEFORE REGISTERING, please enter your address here to check your residency. You can select the County of San Diego Residents ticket option ONLY if your jurisdiction boundary result is exactly “S.D. COUNTY.” All others must select the waitlist option.

*If this course fee presents a financial hardship, it may be waived upon request. Please contact Sarah Van Horn [email protected] before registering to inquire.

Thank you to our host, Ramona United Methodist Church