Free composting workshop drew local gardeners and sustainability interest

A free community workshop titled "Gardening With the Masters: Composting" took place Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, giving Sandoval County residents practical skills in turning kitchen scraps and yard trimmings into usable compost. The session was led by Sandoval Extension Master Gardener Kristi Vasquez and focused on how to create and maintain compost, recognize beneficial organisms, and troubleshoot common problems.

Attendance at the workshop reflected continued local appetite for sustainable yard practices as homeowners look to lower yard waste, improve soil health and cut gardening costs. The announcement for the event provided the time, date and contact information for attendees to learn more or register as required. The free format and community-service framing made the session accessible to new and experienced gardeners alike.

Vasquez walked participants through the core mechanics of composting: layering green and brown materials, monitoring moisture, and aeration to support beneficial microbes and detritivores. The troubleshooting portion targeted common local challenges such as slow decomposition and odors, giving residents step-by-step adjustments they can apply at home. Session content emphasized recognizing the organisms that indicate healthy composting rather than focusing on chemical inputs, aligning with broader trends toward regenerative, low-cost soil management.

For Sandoval County households, practical composting skills translate into several economic and environmental benefits. At the household level, compost can reduce spending on commercial soil amendments and help gardens retain water, a key consideration in our region. At the municipal level, expanding backyard composting and community compost efforts can lower the volume of organic material entering municipal waste systems, easing disposal costs over time. While this workshop did not present new municipal policy, it supports existing extension efforts that nudge residents toward lower-cost, locally resilient practices.

The workshop underscored a grassroots approach to sustainability familiar to local gardeners—small changes in the backyard can add up. Participants left with hands-on tips to accelerate decomposition, avoid contamination of compost piles, and identify when a bin needs more oxygen or carbon-rich material. The session also reinforced the value of local extension networks and Master Gardener volunteers in translating technical soil and waste-management knowledge into everyday practice.

The takeaway? Start small, layer wisely and treat your kitchen scraps like black gold. If you missed the session, contact the Sandoval Extension Master Gardener program to find upcoming workshops or registration details and get started composting this season. Our two cents? A little backyard composting goes a long way for your garden and the county budget.