The 2023 Vermont Organics Recycling Summit (VORS) takes place from May 1st through May 5th and includes virtual and hybrid events as well as in-person events.

With the theme "For Healthier Food, Healthier Soil...Compost!", VORS celebrates healthy soil and local food systems - highlighting the value of compost and organics recycling and the many ways it supports regenerative agriculture, the health of the environment, people, and the economy.

The Summit kicks off on Monday, May 1st at 1pm (Eastern), with a State of the State of Organics, followed by the Keynote Speaker, Brenda Platt, from the Institute for Local Self-Reliance.

Sessions will be at 10am, 1pm, and 3pm or 3:30pm throughout the week:

• On Monday, May 1st, the Keynote is followed by a 3pm session on expanding site capacity by adding aerated composting to turned windrow operations

• Tuesday, May 2nd, is all about on-farm composting and maximizing the value of finished compost.

• Join us on Wednesday, May 3rd, for two virtual sessions - a Haulers' Roundtable in the morning, followed by a session microplastics in composts, digestates, and food wastes. These will be followed by two in-person events - a Kitchen-to-Compost tour at Philo Ridge Farm, followed by an in-person celebration of composting in Vermont, sponsored by Eco-Products!

• On Thursday, May 4th we'll learn about NRCS programs that support organics management and on-farm composting, and the use of manufactured topsoil in VTrans projects. The day will finish with a stormwater management workshop.

• On Friday, May 5th we'll hear about best practices for dealing with jumping worms - from the compost pile, to nurseries and garden centers, to what you can do at home. Details for the second session will be added soon.

This year, we're excited to have two hybrid events where you can choose to participate in person or virtually via Zoom. When you register, you will be asked to indicate how you want to participate.

• Tuesday, May 2nd, from 1:00-2:30pm: Agricultural Food Residuals Management in Randolph Center, VT
• Thursday, May 4th, from 3:30-5:00pm: Compost-based products and stormwater management in Montpelier, VT

We also have two in-person events on Wednesday, May 3rd , both at Philo Ridge Farm in Charlotte, VT

• 3:00-4:00pm: Join us for a Kitchen-to-Compost Tour of the Farm (organized by the Food Cycle Coalition!)
• 4:30-6:30pm: Join us for a celebration of composting in Vermont, sponsored by Eco-Products. This mixer will be at the outdoor restaurant at the Farm

All program details are available at CompostingVermont.org/VORS-2023

Registration is free but required - you will get a single Zoom link for all the online sessions; if you select the in-person options, you will receive details by email. Note: in-person participation has venue capacity limits, indicated in the registration form.

All virtual and hybrid sessions will be recorded and posted on the CAV website after the event.