Master Composters of Bernalillo County

Master Composters of Bernalillo County Residents can then enjoy healthier gardens by amending with their own compost. In May 2010, 29 people completed Master Composter Volunteer Training.

Master Composters of Bernalillo County share about how home composting helps residents to recycle organic material on-site rather than contributing to a landfill. We are a volunteer organization affiliated with the Bernalillo County Cooperative Extension Service and New Mexico State University College of Agriculture. We are Master Composters dedicated to teaching composting skills and science, esp

ecially to those who live in high desert climates. We offer free classes for the public as well as training for those who wish to become Master Composters

Mission Statement
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The mission of the Master Composter Program in Bernalillo County is to educate interested citizens on how to voluntarily channel organic home waste into a beneficial resource. This mission is accomplished by the training of volunteer educators who then are available for the community to teach, encourage and support citizens in the science, materials and methods of home composting. Vision Statement
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That all interested citizens of Bernalillo County have the opportunity to easily get information, training and support in the science, materials and various methods of home composting. Master Composter training is an active program in several hundred locations in the USA and Canada (1996 Survey). The first USA program was established in Seattle, WA, in 1986 and remains a role model for other programs. x

There was a program in Albuquerque in the early 1990s but it only lasted a few years. Then, after a sixteen year hiatus, the program was reactivated in the Spring of 2010. This was accomplished with the support and collaboration of Albuquerque Area Extension Master Gardeners, the Bernalillo County Co-op Extension Service, the City of Albuquerque Solid Waste Management Department, NM Recycling Coalition, the NM Environment Department Solid Waste Bureau, and Soilutions, Inc.. The 2010 program was supported, in part, by a grant from the Rio Grande Basin Initiative. The grant was written by Joran Viers, then Bernalillo County Extension Horticulture Agent. John Zarola provided the inspiration and energy and hard work to bring these entities together to start the program and to organize the first training. We have held similar trainings most years since then. In October, 2010, we formed an association to provide a structure for the support and maintenance of the Master Composter education program and its graduates. In October, 2011, we were granted 501(c)(3) nonprofit status by the IRS. Between 2010 and 2019, Master Composter trainings were class-based. We offered trainings in the spring or fall of most of these years. In 2020, we took a year off from offering the training because of the covid pandemic. In 2021, we initiated mentor/apprentice trainings. Master Composters teach composting in schools, organizations, and at special events in the middle Rio Grande region.

Introduction to Bokashi class in Santa Fe. Personally, this is one of my favorite methods.
06/07/2026

Introduction to Bokashi class in Santa Fe. Personally, this is one of my favorite methods.

Are you interested in learning more about trees? The NM Tree Stewards Program may be your answer.
06/02/2026

Are you interested in learning more about trees? The NM Tree Stewards Program may be your answer.

Great family friendly opportunity to have the kiddos learn about "living soil."
05/29/2026

Great family friendly opportunity to have the kiddos learn about "living soil."

Kids' Nature Party: Worm Hotels & Compost Concoctions

La Farge Library Children's Patio
Friday, June 5, 2026
3:30pm–5:00pm

The dirt is alive! Learn all about our hardworking worm friends and how they keep our soil happy and healthy. Make your own vermicompost and worm hotel in a cardboard carryout container to take home.

This program is for families with kids. Monthly Kid's Nature Parties explore traditional folk crafts, sustainability, and creative eco-consciousness.

This program is made possible by the support from Friends of the Santa Fe Public Library. Visit santafelibraryfriends.org to learn more.

Are you familiar with local bees?Hosted by: Peter Callen, Habitat Farms Collective. At the Open Space visitor Center
05/24/2026

Are you familiar with local bees?

Hosted by:
Peter Callen, Habitat Farms Collective. At the Open Space visitor Center

What do you think of when you hear the word compost?
05/23/2026

What do you think of when you hear the word compost?

How about a fun new series where we talk openly about compost? Did you know not all compost is created equal? If your ...
05/22/2026

How about a fun new series where we talk openly about compost?

Did you know not all compost is created equal? If your compost is coming from an anaerobic (no oxygen) environment - the organisms that win out will be disease causing ones (like root feeding nematodes). You want to make sure that the compost you use is full of aerobic organisms. They are what help get all the elements that you need into a plant accessible form via the the Soil Food Web.

There is artistry in not only creating compost, but also biochar. Adding all the right components creates a true work o...
05/19/2026

There is artistry in not only creating compost, but also biochar. Adding all the right components creates a true work of art that builds soil biology.

New book! I haven't been bit by the vermicomposting "bug" yet...but I have a suspicion that this may do it for me. 🪱
05/18/2026

New book! I haven't been bit by the vermicomposting "bug" yet...but I have a suspicion that this may do it for me. 🪱

Trouble with flies or other flying insects in your compost? The best way to fight them is to add your carbon rich mater...
05/13/2026

Trouble with flies or other flying insects in your compost? The best way to fight them is to add your carbon rich material (browns) on top. Here I layered brown ripped up paper and some old stalks on top to cover all the exposed nitrogen rich (greens) material.

What issues do you have with your compost?

Soil health is the foundation to any successful garden. ❤️
05/13/2026

Soil health is the foundation to any successful garden. ❤️

Water, biochar, soil health and more will be discussed during the first field day of the year, hosted by the NMSU Agricultural Experiment Station.

The Leyendecker Science Center will host its field day from 7:30 a.m. to noon June 3 at the center, located at 7200 Plant Science Circle in Las Cruces. Lunch will be provided to attendees.

Read more: https://newsroom.nmsu.edu/news/nmsu-leyendecker-science-center-to-host-first-field-day-of-the-season/s/9168f038-a2b2-4031-9c2b-03b194277394

Address

1510 Menaul Boulevard Ext. , NW
Albuquerque, NM
87107

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