Experiential Learning Lab

Compost Cooperative and Gardens

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Sign Up for a Composting Orientation (5:00pm most Fridays)

Shop the Compost Cooperative and Gardens store for apparel and items with the Compost Cooperative and Gardens logo: color | black and white

Are you interested in organic gardening and composting at UF? Come out to the Compost Cooperative and Gardens (CCG), where you can adopt a garden plot, turn your food scraps into fertilizer, and attend fun socials!

The Compost Cooperative and Gardens (CCG) is a cross-disciplinary outreach program dedicated to promoting sustainability at the campus and community level.

Organized by the BioEnergy and Sustainable Technology (BEST) Laboratory, the CCG was started to educate UF students about the importance of food waste composting and provide an opportunity to compost their own food waste. The CCG encourages and trains students, faculty, and staff at the University of Florida and the Gainesville community to compost their food waste and to appreciate the value of recycling by turning this waste into natural fertilizers.

The CCG maintains several composters to allow students and others in the UF community to compost their food waste. CCG closes the compost loop by maintaining a student-run organic garden in which students grow their own organic food using the compost they helped to create. Large barrels that collect rainwater allow students to easily irrigate their garden plots with a more sustainable source of water.

Encouraging students to use these eco-friendly practices builds awareness and environmental responsibility that contribute to their personal and communal growth, while the gardens serve as a place for students to relax, study and enjoy the outdoors. The CCG hosts open houses and field days and participates in a variety of other educational events to help build awareness and educate others about the benefits of composting.

SCC

Compost Cooperative marks 15-years of sustainability, education, and community engagement

How It Works

The CCG has an open door policy. Food waste can be brought to the composters at any time. When you place your food waste in the composter, please turn the compost to mix the fresh food waste into the compost. Turning facilitates the biodegradation and prevents odors. If you do not have a container to transport your food waste to the composters, we can provide you with one. For composting information, reach out to the Compost Manager (see Volunteer Support Team information below).

The gardens at the UF CCG are a learning space where co-op members can test out organic gardening and put the compost, they make to use growing food and flowers. Space is available to active co-op members on a first-come-first-served basis. All co-op members are expected to help keep the grounds looking presentable, but gardeners are also expected to help the garden manager at least twice a month to maintain the garden area through activities such as weeding, caring for potted plants, spreading pine mulch, etc.

Any active members who are interested should reach out to the Garden Manager (see Volunteer Support Team information below). For those who have not yet become co-op members, please sign up for and attend an orientation to get started.

CCG Orientations

Sign up for an orientation to the Compost Cooperative and Gardens

Orientations are every Friday at 5:00pm when classes are in session. Submit the Composting Orientation Registration Form to sign up.

Location

The Cooperative Compost and Gardens is located in the UF Energy Research and Education Park on SW 23rd Terr. See map below.

We have parking spots and a bike rack available.

Bus routes 9, 35 and 37 stop at the front of the Park. Link to Bus Route Map

The Energy Park will be on the right side of the road immediately after University Commons Apartments. Once you turn into the park, take the right fork and continue to the first parking area on the left. See map below.

Research on Our Compost

Compost Composition and Application Rate Have a Greater Impact on Spinach Yield and Soil Fertility Benefits Than Feedstock Origin

Food-Based Composts Provide More Soil Fertility Benefits Than Cow Manure-Based Composts in Sandy Soils

Founder and Director

Dr. Ann C. Wilkie began the Compost Cooperative and Gardens as a place for students to compost their food waste and learn about sustainable practices. She continues to host and direct the CCG at her lab, the BioEnergy and Sustainable Technology Laboratory.

For research and outreach questions, contact her at acwilkie@ufl.edu.

Fall 2025 Volunteer Support Team

To get started with the CCG please contact the volunteers below according to your area of interest.

Composting

Vacant
Compost Manager

The Compost Manager at the Compost Cooperative and Gardens (CCG) maintains our program’s composters, collects and analyzes composting data, and administers workshops and outreach presentations to a variety of audiences.

This volunteer opportunity is a leadership position that is crucial to the ongoing operation of the Compost Cooperative and Gardens. Please email Dr. Ann Wilkie (acwilkie@ufl.edu) if you are interested in this volunteer role during Fall 2025 or Spring 2026.

Gardening and Garden Plots:

Vacant
Garden Manager

The Garden Manager at the Compost Cooperative and Gardens (CCG) maintains our program's community garden, organizes and delegates individual student garden plots, and participates in workshops and outreach presentations along with the Management team.

This volunteer opportunity is a leadership position that is crucial to the ongoing operation of the Compost Cooperative and Gardens. Please email Dr. Ann Wilkie (acwilkie@ufl.edu) if you are interested in this volunteer role during Fall 2025 or Spring 2026.

Outreach

Katya Kasprzak
Outreach Manager

Please reach out to me with any questions about the Compost Cooperative and how to get involved.

I am a University of Florida alum (’25) working as an environmental scientist at a global engineering firm, and am the outreach manager for the Compost Cooperative and Gardens (CCG). Contact me with any questions about our operations, educational practices, composting, or outreach opportunities.

UF Alum, ’25: Environmental Management in Agriculture and Natural Resources, B.S.
Age: 23
Hometown: Sandwich, MA
Phone Number: 781-999-4758
Email: katyakasprzak@ufl.edu

See past student support team members.

Resources

Composting Basics Infographic (PDF)

What is Vermicomposting Infographic (PDF)

Program for composting of student food waste [Poster] Presented at the 2009 UF Undergraduate Research Symposium

Student Compost Cooperative [Flyer]

Composting basics and troubleshooting [Presentation]

SWES CCG logo:

SWES CCG logo: