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Professor Tom Halbach is an Extension State Specialist for Waste Management and Water Quality at the University of Minnesota. Tom's research and education interests include the beneficial utilization of waste materials in agriculture, forestry, horticulture, and mineland reclamation. Tom has conducted and successfully taught at the Midwest Composting School in 2008, 2005, 2004, 2000, 1998, and 1995. Tom's expertise in waste management and water quality puts him in demand worldwide as he studies many types of wastes, from ash and cement to food and refuse. He serves on the Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA), Minnesota Land of Lakes Chapter, Board of Directors. Tom will be a lead instructor in the Midwest Composting School and will teach participants on the various aspects of composting science.
Kapil Arora is Extension Engineer for Iowa State University Extension with expertise in composting, water quality, and environmental regulations. Kapil is currently involved in developing and conducting a composting educational program at Iowa State University and successfully conducted Midwest Composting School in 2004 and 2008. Kapil has worked with yard waste, industrial waste, and livestock facilities for logistics and management of composting operations. He will also educate participants on compost recipe development, data management, and record keeping.
Dr. Carl Rosen is Professor at the University of Minnesota, Dept. of Soil Water, and Climate. His specialty is in soil fertility with emphasis in horticultural crop production and nutrient cycling from industrial and municipal wastes. Dr. Rosen holds a joint appointment in the Dept. of Soil, Water, & Climate and Dept. of Horticultural Science. He research is focused on improving nitrogen use efficiency in potatoes to reduce nitrate leaching losses; nitrogen mineralization characteristics of organic wastes and compost. He has also studied the effects of municipal and industrial waste application on soil quality and crop production. He received the Outstanding Extension Educator Award from the American Society for Horticultural Science in 2001.
Ginny Black is Organics Recycling Specialist with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. Ginny serves on the Board of Directors of the U.S. Composting Council and is the communications chair. In her job, Ginny provides technical assistance to compost facility operators and promotes market for finished compost. She provides education to citizens to help them make informed decisions and take actions that conserve resources and prevent pollution to benefit the environment, economy, and society. She is the primary contact for organics including woods waste, composting education and compliance, and technical assistance for organic management facilities. She will be responsible for educating participants on compost programs in the Midwest and on compost quality assurance programs.
Marcus Zbinden has worked in the Solid Waste industry for the past 20 years. After graduating from the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point with a degree in Resource Management he began working as a Recycling Coordinator for Gallagher’s Service, an independent hauler in the Twin Cites. In 1992 he took a position with Carver County as an Environmental Specialist where he continues to work with recycling, composting and other solid waste programs. In 1999, he received a Masters of Liberal Studies degree from the University of Minnesota and he is currently Vice Chair of the Recycling Association of Minnesota.
Russ Leistiko, is the President and the owner of RW Farms LLC. From start to finish, RW provides collection, transportation, and processing of yard waste and organics. In cooperation with Carver County, surrounding communities and the University of Minnesota, RW is working on a pilot project to compost combined yard and source separated food wastes. Russ Leistiko has 18 years of experience in commercial compost processing and marketing.
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