Department of Soil, Water and Ecosystem Sciences

Experiential Learning Lab

Department of Soil, Water and Ecosystem Sciences

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

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

Founder and Director

Spring 2025 Volunteer Support Team

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

Composting

Katya Kasprzak
Compost Manager

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

I am a senior majoring in environmental management with a minor in soil science. If you have any questions on compost, soil, or sustainable agriculture, please don’t hesitate to reach out!

Senior, Environmental Management and Natural Resources Major - College of Agricultural and Life Sciences
Age: 22
Hometown: Sandwich, MA
Phone Number: 781-999-4758
Email: katyakasprzak@ufl.edu

Gardening and Garden Plots:

Ryan Champiny
Garden Manager

Please reach out to me with any questions about the cooperative gardens and growing food.

I'm interested in carbon cycling, soil health and community gardens.

Graduate student, Soil, Water, and Ecosystem Sciences
E-mail: ryan.champiny@ufl.edu

Social Media and Outreach:

Amina Cabric
Social Media and Outreach Co-Manager

Contact me with general questions or to stay up to date with the latest from the CCG!

I am a senior majoring in Zoology with a minor in international studies in agricultural and life sciences. I’m passionate about sustainable living and exploring the intersection of agriculture, food waste, and how we can incorporate eco-friendly habits into our daily lives. Feel free to ask me about composting, reducing food waste, or which social media channels to follow to stay updated.

Senior, Zoology Major — College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Age: 21

Hometown: Saint Petersburg, Fl

Phone: 727-688-1195

Email: acabric@ufl.edu

Regena Darbouze
Social Media and Outreach Co-Manager

Contact me with general questions or for information about events at the CCG.

Sophomore, Majoring in Psychology- Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, and on the Pre-Medicine Track
Age: 19
Hometown: Weston, Florida
Phone: 954-635-0078
Email: regena.darbouze@ufl.edu

Click here to see past student support team members

Resources