The original plans for the space were to create vermi-composting opportunities for the neighborhood.

Vermi-Composting is a powerful neighborhood tool because it allows both for composting and alternative food waste options while creating a space for worms to grow and be used for other things.

However, this proved to be an extremely difficult process because of the winter months. As an alternative a Composting Bin was created which can be manually rotated to allow for the proper composting effects to occur with food waste.

The picture shows the compost bin, which has already generated some really good soil, as well as two worm bins that are producing on a small scale.

The bins are surrounded by watermelons that were planted in the space originally created for the vermi-composting location.

Home where our Vermi-Compost will be built.

Thanks, #Microsoft and #ChangeX😃

A specialist has come in and will be helping us move towards the creation of a vermicomposting bin for the community to utilize.

The change in composting option is a much more economical option for the community. With the help of the on-site specialist, the food waste training will consist of training the neighbors on how miniature vermicomposting can occur in their back yards and how collectively that can create a larger source of fresh soil and WORMS!!!

This Sunday June 5th will be a garden greet up and our composting and garden specialist will walk some neighbors through how their individual efforts will be able to come together to make a strong vermicomposting bin.

Wood and Materials needed to create an aprox 15x15 composting bin will be purchased through the ChangeX funds.

The neighbors have already been coming out to the garden as we've been meeting Every Tues and Thursday for garden maintenance, upkeep and enhancements.

Composting site has been located. The Northeast corner of the lot will be transformed into a compost collection location.

Planning has begun to reach out to the current block club to inform them of our weekly enhancement hours at the garden site, and to begin conversations on how they will be able to collect their raw food waste and other compostable materials for the collection of the materials by an off-site company.

The purpose of this Composting w Come-Unity to organize and create a community composting plan for the immediate neighborhood surrounding the Come-Unity Joy Garden, located on 9001 S Dauphine, Chicago, IL

Action Plan:

The ChangeX Funds will be used to:

- Partner with Urban Canopy (https://www.theurbancanopy.org/commercial-compost-club) to create a compost pick up site at garden space.

[at current large bin pick up rate, funds should sustain weekly pick ups for 1 bin at site. Discounts could be applied with additional pickup sites in the area. Will use this opportunity to create large network of pick up route to extend sustainability if possible]

- Build out walk way to Composting Pick up site at garden location (beautification)

- (unfunded) Leverage networks for trainings on composting with raw food and lawn clippings and how to reduce cooked food waste.