The new Oak Harbor Compost Demonstration Site is up and running

The new Oak Harbor Compost Demonstration Site is up and running with 8 new worm bin and composting systems transforming food scraps and yard waste into black gold for the garden.  The city partnered with the Island County-WSU Waste Wise program to set up the demo site.  Now there are three such sites on Whidbey.  One is at the Fort Casey Lighthouse and one is outside of Langley at the new Good Cheer Community Garden. 

A workshop was offered at Oak Harbor’s grand opening attended by 18 people from 8 years old to retirees.  Some had small yards in neighborhoods while others had several acres.  Some brought bags of grass clippings.  Others brought buckets of food waste (anything from a plant, nothing from an animal).  All were invited to moisten shredded paper for the worm bins, or stir grass, leaves and nettles into a compost bin.  Depending on how much you want to spend, how much room you have in your yard, how much food scraps or yard waste you generate, and how strong your back might be, there is a system that would suit your needs in the new Compost Demonstration Site.  

Worm bins are really catching on and worms are in high demand.  The city’s supply has dwindled after sharing our worms with so many enthusiasts around Earth Day.  The WSU – Waste Wise program can offer worms to anyone in Island County who has a worm bin ready to go.  Call Janet Hall at 240-5558 to arrange for your free worms.  For more information on reducing waste, compost or worm bins, visit www.wastewise.wsu.edu.  Or call Maribeth Crandell (360-279-4762) for a tour of the new compost demonstration site at Oak Harbor’s Maintenance Shop, 1400 NE 16th Avenue.