MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FL — May 11, 2026 — Fertile Earth is announcing a new training opportunity for farmers and agricultural teams: an Agricultural Compost Production One-Day Short Course, with an optional half-day hands-on training the following day.
The workshop is designed to help growers improve soil health, reduce fertilizer dependency, strengthen on-farm resilience, and better manage organic waste streams through composting and vermicomposting practices.
“With the rising cost of petroleum, the cost of fertilizers is rising, and along with it, food prices,” said Dr. Lanette Sobel, CEO of Fertile Earth. “At the same time, Miami-Dade County is experiencing a waste management crisis, and over 50% of our waste stream is organic material that could be composted and transformed into non-synthetic fertilizers. This workshop will equip farmers with the tools to better manage compost operations on the farm, strengthening resilience, improving profit margins, and supporting environmental stewardship.”
The course will combine classroom instruction, field demonstrations, and practical applications tailored to South Florida agricultural conditions.
Day 1: Agricultural Compost Production One-Day Short Course
- Date: May 22, 2026
- Time: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
- Location: Lucy’s Farm — 15802 SW 200th St, Miami, FL 33187
- Cost: $300 for the first participant from each farm; $190 for each additional participant from the same farm
- Includes: Coffee, water, light breakfast, and lunch
Day 2: Optional Half-Day Hands-On Training
- Date: May 23, 2026
- Time: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
- Starting Location: Fertile Earth — 15150 SW 264 Street, Homestead, FL 33032
- Concluding Visit: Lion Farms — 14950 SW 212th St, Miami, FL 33187
- Cost: $150 for the first participant from each farm; $90 for each additional participant from the same farm
- Includes: Coffee, water, and light snacks
Instructors
The course will be led by:
- Dr. Monica Ozores-Hampton
- Dr. Lanette Sobel
- Dr. Daphne K. Sugino Souffront of Florida International University, who will lead the vermicomposting component in collaboration with Lion Farms.
Dr. Monica Ozores-Hampton, PhD Co-instructor Former University of Florida professor and current Board member at the Compost Research and Education Foundation (CREF). Founder and CEO of TerraNutri, LLC.
Dr. Lanette Sobel, DPM Co-instructor · CEO, Fertile Earth Dr. Sobel has trailblazed private-sector food-waste composting in South Florida with partners including the Miami Heat, Miami Marlins, and Baptist Health, and is currently involved in a one-year composting pilot with Miami-Dade County Public Schools.
Dr. Daphne K. Sugino Souffront, PhD Florida International University · Lion Farms Ph.D. in Earth System Sciences from FIU; dissertation on vermicompost applications in medicinal crops. Compliance Officer at Lion Farms and leader of the workshop’s vermicomposting component.
Charles LaPradd, Agricultural Manager at Miami-Dade County, joins as a county guest presenter on compost regulations.
About Fertile Earth
Fertile Earth is South Florida’s commercial composting company — Miami’s Composting Experts — serving restaurants, venues, offices, schools, municipalities, and farms across Miami-Dade and the region since 2008. We collect food scraps, process them into nutrient-rich compost and soil amendments, and help partners meet zero-waste and sustainability goals with reliable, professional service.
