Compost Operations Training Course 2025 - Ft. Collins, CO

11/17/2025 08:00 AM - 11/21/2025 12:30 PM MT

Location

The CoBank Center for Agricultural Education
4492 E. County Road 56
Fort Collins, CO 80524
United States of America

Summary

Jumpstart or expand your career in the composting industry by taking part in one of the world's most renowned professional training courses. With over 50 trainings historically conducted across the United States, the Compost Operations Training Course (COTC) and its graduates have an outstanding reputation, and many students proclaim it "the best course I've ever taken."

Description

 

About the COTC
This 5-day course, offered by the Compost Research & Education Foundation (CREF), gives you the knowledge you need to run a successful composting facility, whether you’re just getting started or have been composting for a while. In addition to in-depth lectures by nationally-recognized instructors, you'll gain practical experience through hands-on activities, including a team pile build and monitoring, as well as tours to local facilities, where the theories meet reality. From compost operators to environmental and agricultural consultants to local and state regulators, the COTC is for anyone who wants quality instruction from leading composting professionals and educators on the art and science of commercial-scale compost production and marketing. You can explore Frequently Asked Questions about the COTC here.

PRICING

Registrant Type  USCC Members  Non-Members 
 Small Business/ Organization/ Small Municipality    $1,450  $1,610
 Large Business/ Organization/ State or Large Municipality*   $1,620  $1,760

* Large businesses/organizations/municipalities may generally be considered those with more than $1 million in annual revenue, or which serve more than 1 million constituents.

Registration by Early Bird date (Oct. 6): $100 off any pricing!

CURRICULUM

Day 1 (7:30 AM - 5 PM): Composting process, feedstocks, recipe development, compost systems

Day 2 (8 AM - 5 PM): Site design, equipment, environmental protection (odors & stormwater), regulations

Day 3 (8 AM - 5 PM): Composting facility tours

Day 4 (8 AM - 5 PM): Compost testing, product quality, compost applications, marketing. Optional happy hour networking event after class.

Day 5 (8 AM - 12 PM): Facility management, troubleshooting, analyzing compost piles

LODGING ACCOMMODATIONS

Coming early fall 2025

POLICIES

The following forms are essential reading before signing up for the COTC. By registering for the course, you agree to the following:

For more information on the training, you can explore Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the COTC here, or contact Kelsea Jacobsen if your question isn't addressed on the FAQ page.

ABOUT CREF

CREF supports initiatives that enhance the stature and practices of the composting industry by supporting scientific research, increasing awareness, and educating practitioners and the public to advance environmentally and economically sustainable organics recycling. We increase awareness and educate the public through targeted outreach activities; foster scientific research opportunities; and advance the stature and practice of the composting industry by offering professional development opportunities and disseminating best practices.

 

Thank you to our local partners

  

Thank you to our program sponsors

Thank you to our local sponsors

Sponsorship opportunities, including equipment demonstrations, are available for this course! To become a COTC local sponsor, contact Kelsea Jacobsen: education@compostfoundation.org or (833) 812-2733 ext. 0.

Transportation for our training is sponsored in part through CharterUP. They offer private group transportation nationally, including hotspots such as San JoseChicago, and Houston.