Pilot Phase
Compost systems were collaboratively developed with schools and communities to support effective food scrap recycling, student learning and leadership, real-world problem solving, reinvestment in school staff, and the development of social and soil resilience.
Students were excited about this work and proud of their rural education and leadership. Working collaboratively built trust and developed relationships across political and cultural differences, openinig conversations about food security, food rescue, climate action,
In 2026, the pilot ended but the participating schools decided to continue as…
The Super Compost Network!
Eight schools participated in a pilot program between 2023 and 2026.
First Participating Schools
In 2024, UVSCP completed construction at our first group of seven schools, enabling a combined 1300 students to learn and grow new skills through their school composting programs as they transform nearly 100,000 lbs of food scraps into rich compost for school and community gardens:
Sharon Elementary in Sharon VT has a full-scale system, installed November 2023, that is managing a combined 15,000 lbs of food waste from the elementary school as well as the Sharon Academy Middle School and the community food pantry.
Newbury Elementary in Newbury VT received a ‘modified build’ to improve their existing system. They use an in-vessel system and a three-bin system where tumbler contents are managed through the final composting phase.
Samuel Morey Elementary in Fairlee VT received a ‘modified build’ to improve their existing three-bay composting system. The upgrade added a roof to their three-bay system, and doors and a gate to their active compost bin.
Westshire Elementary in West Fairlee VT received a full-scale system.
Waits River Valley in Topsham/Corinth VT, new to composting, received a full-scale system. Students made their first compost deposits in late November 2024.
Albert Bridge Elementary in Brownsville VT, new to composting, received a full-scale system. Students made their first compost deposits in December 2024.
Marion Cross Elementary in Norwich VT received their full-scale system in early January 2025. Students made their first compost deposits in mid January.
Above: A finished and equipped pavilion (“compost palace”) at Sharon Elementary School awaits first deposit!
In 2023, Super Compost Project built its first compost pavilion at Sharon Elementary School (pictured above). In 2024, we installed six more systems across the Upper Valley region. By 2026, nine schools in the Upper Valley were recycling more than 100,000 lbs (2 tons!) annually with our program.
Above: Making a deposit at Waits River Valley School. Below: Support from certified Master Composters, Upper Valley Farm Force and other trained volunteers provides crucial assistance to keeping sites going.
How UVSCP Began
Cat Buxton of Grow More Waste Less developed UVSCP after working closely with schools to identify the barriers and opportunities of managing food scraps on site.
In 2007, Cat founded the garden and composting program at Thetford Elementary School. Today, that program processes over 6,000 lbs of residuals annually, saving the school from $1,000 to $3,000 in waste disposal fees every year. Overall, the school has reduced waste by 75% since program inception. The program is entirely managed by fifth and sixth graders in a self-replicating format (each grade trains the next).
Students start seeds, grow food and flowers, collect food scraps, and manage the composting system that feeds and sustains raised beds, pollinator gardens, a patch of raspberries and summer blueberries, five apple trees, a peach tree, and two pear trees. Students collect data to ensure the compost system stays on track and also examine that data in their math and science lessons. Thetford’s success was an inspiration to seek ways to support composting at other schools.
As director of the Super Compost Project, Cat continues to be a vital and driving force in school composting, promoting long-term success and integration.
Above: Founder Cat Buxton shows off curating compost at Thetford Elementary. Below: Spring raised beds and tree starts at TES.
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