Frequently Asked Questions
COMPOST
Composting is temporarily paused for the summer
How can i start composting with slp?
Composting with us is easy! We offer recycled containers on our property for you to collect your compost items. Once you fill it, or are ready to empty it, simply bring it to our site, grab a new, rinsed container and leave the rest to us!
Why should i compost?
There are many benefits of composting, and at our farm we appreciate compost to help us keep growing delicious food and make our garden more sustainable. Other benefits include reducing food waste, improving soil health and quality, and conserving water. In short, composting is a good way to care for our planet!
What is compost?
According to NRDC, composting is the natural process of recycling organic matter, such as leaves and food scraps, into a valuable fertilizer that can enrich soil and plants. Anything that grows decomposes eventually. Composting simply speeds up the process by providing an ideal environment for bacteria, fungi, and other decomposing organisms to do their work. The resulting decomposed matter, which often ends up looking like fertile garden soil, is called compost. Fondly referred to by farmers as “black gold,” compost is rich in nutrients and can be used for gardening, horticulture, and agriculture.
what can i compost?
There is a big list of things you can compost on the NRDC website, but here are a few ideas. Coffee grounds and filters, eggshells, fruits, vegetables, grass clippings, leaves, tea bags, and much more; don’t hesitate to check out the website for a full list of compostable items!
What can i not compost?
There are some items that are not compostable, find a full list here from the NRDC, but here are a few examples. Pet waste, colored or glossy paper, diseased plants, and dairy as well as other animal products. If you aren’t sure whether you should compost an item or not, check the NRDC website or feel free to send us a message!
Volunteering
How can I volunteer with SLP?
At the Sustainable Living Project we love hands-on volunteers to help maintain, grow, and learn about the farm. Please sign up for a volunteering shift here on our Eventbrite page.
What if I can’t volunteer at the listed available times?
Yes! We are currently only offering the listed times to help us in the garden, however, if you are interested in getting involved with offsite or remote opportunities, please reach out to us via email with any special skills or interests. You can also donate to our organization here, or check out our other events here.
What should i wear to volunteer?
Volunteers will participate in regular garden upkeep such as weeding, mowing, turning the compost, and other outdoor activities. Therefore, we advise volunteers to please wear comfortable, weather appropriate garden clothing and closed-toe shoes.
How long should i expect to be volunteering?
We typically ask that if you sign up to volunteer with us, that you stay for 3 hours.
Where can I park while volunteering?
We have parking available on the west side of our property between the garden and the Salvation Army Church. Please, do not park in the Salvation Army parking lot.
Is there an age limit to volunteer?
We do not have an age limit to volunteer, and encourage everyone to join us. However, we do ask that volunteers under the age of 13 be accompanied by an adult and there should be no more than 2 children per 1 adult.
What happens if the weather is bad?
Since we are an outdoor facility, all of our events are subject to change based on the weather. You can stay up-to-date via our social media platform, Instagram and Facebook, or call Georgea at (813)-230-7437.