KITCHEN and flower garden growers, farmers and members of the public are being given an opportunity to learn from an expert how they can turn kitchen and backyard waste into useful manure, free of charge.

The unique training programme is being run by the local chapter of Partners of America (POA) as part of its Farmer to Farmer Programme.
POA disclosed earlier this week that it has invited Compost Production and Solid Waste Management Specialist, Ms. Rhonda Sherman, to conduct training in backyard compost production. Sherman, who in an Extension Specialist of the Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, North Carolina State University, is already in the country and will be conducting sessions until March 15.
The programme is supported by the U.S. Congress and United States Agency for International Development (USAID) as part of the U.S. foreign assistance programme.
Sherman will work with staff of the Guyana School of Agriculture (GSA) and the St. Stanislaus College Farm (SSCF) in order to improve their production facilities which produce compost from animal waste.
Staff from other interested agencies such as Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA) and University of Guyana (UG) and livestock farmers were scheduled to attend sessions yesterday at 09:00 hrs at GSA and on March 11 at 09:00 hrs at SSCF. Topics will include mixing and pile formation, curing, storage and handling, and drying.

MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC
Meanwhile, her main interaction with members of the public will be on March 13th when she will conduct training at the St. Stanislaus College Farm, 69 North Sophia, Greater Georgetown from 09:00 hrs – 12:00 noon. At this session she will address such topics as how and what to compost, simple composting methods, enclosing compost bins, building compost bins and tips for successful composting. The training will be provided free of cost.
POA disclosed that composting is a simple way of making nutrient-rich humus which when added to soil, fuels plant growth and restores vitality to depleted soil. It’s easy to make and good for the environment. Backyard or onsite composting can be conducted by residents and other small-quantity generators of organic waste on their own property.
Interested kitchen gardeners, flower garden operators, farmers and members of the public who want to reserve a place for the March 13th programme are advised to contact Mr. Colwayne Morris, Field Officer, Farmer to Farmer Program, Telephone No. 592-222-2991, 592-622-6101(cell) or by email at morris_colwayne@yahoo.com
POA is a private, nonprofit, non-partisan organisation with international offices in Washington, D.C. Learn more at www.partners.net.
Farmer to Farmer brings together agricultural professionals and practitioners from the U.S. and the Caribbean who serve as volunteers, working with farmers and agribusiness owners in Dominican Republic, Guyana, Haiti and Nicaragua to identify local needs and design projects to address them.