Bernalillo Workshop Teaches Composting Techniques, Builds Community Worm Bin
A free public workshop on composting and vermicompost took place at the Bernalillo Community Museum and Garden on November 6, providing hands on instruction for residents interested in backyard soil management and organic waste reduction. The session led by a local Master Composter offered practical skills that can lower household waste and support local gardening efforts.
On Thursday, November 6, 2025 at 1:00 PM Mountain Standard Time, Bernalillo residents gathered at the Bernalillo Community Museum and Garden, 123 Calle Malinche, to learn the basics of composting and to build a community worm bin. The event was led by John Zarola of Bernalillo Master Composters and was free and open to the public. Organizers emphasized practical instruction on setting up a vermicompost system, with attention to materials selection, bin maintenance, and using finished compost in home gardens.
The workshop opened with an overview of why composting matters for households and neighborhood green spaces. Participants learned how food scraps and yard trimmings can be converted into nutrient rich soil amendment through natural decomposition and the work of worms. The hands on segment focused on constructing and managing a worm bin, including how to maintain moisture and feeding routines so the system produces consistent compost for potted plants and backyard beds.
Local implications for Sandoval County include improved soil health for community gardens and reduced volumes of organic waste sent to landfills. For residents who garden in Bernalillo and surrounding areas, finished compost can improve water retention and reduce the need for purchased fertilizers, supporting cost savings over time and greater self sufficiency for small scale food production. The workshop also served a community building function by connecting neighbors, experienced volunteer composters, and municipal outreach programs.
From a municipal planning perspective, events like this contribute to broader waste diversion goals by teaching low cost techniques that households can implement immediately. They also create volunteer capacity for larger community composting efforts and reduce pressure on municipal waste services. For gardeners and small scale producers, vermicompost offers a concentrated source of organic matter that can accelerate plant growth and resilience to dry conditions common in the region.
Accessibility and participation were an explicit focus. Individuals with disabilities who needed auxiliary aids or services were asked to contact Sandoval County Extension two weeks prior at (505) 867-2582. New Mexico State University is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer and educator. NMSU and the U.S. Department of Agriculture are cooperating partners on outreach and extension programming that supports local agricultural knowledge and community resilience.
The Bernalillo workshop is one in a series of community education efforts aimed at expanding sustainable practices across Sandoval County. For many attendees, the immediate takeaway was practical and actionable knowledge that can be applied in backyards and community plots to improve soil, lower waste, and strengthen local food systems.
