Specifications include, but are not limited to: 1. Compost Operator Training Course – Organize a compost operator training course for Vermont composters interested in obtaining a solid waste permit for composting or Vermont farms interested in composting under the Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets requirements. Preferably, the course would be held in-person and would Page 2 of 19 include field demonstration exercises. The course must be offered no later than 11 months into the contract cycle each year. a. The training program must be designed to meet the State’s criteria for compost operator proficiency and include, at a minimum, the following components: i. Introduction to the composting process and principles ii. Compost recipe development iii. Composting feedstocks and materialproperties iv. Feedstock blending and pile formation v. Compost pilemonitoring and management response vi. Compost site design, maintenance, and stormwater management vii. Neighbor relations viii. State regulations andcompliance b. Course materials (the State will make course materials used in previous years available for use by Contractor): i. Prepare electronic presentation covering the units above ii. Prepare electronic or flash drive copies of course materials for students to keep and provide an option for physical copies of course materials upon request iii. Provide draft presentation and curriculum outline to the State at least one month prior to the training c. Arrange location (or virtual hosting platform, if necessary) for hosting the training and conducting demonstrations: i. Provide the State with the date and location of the training at least one month priorto the training d. Prepare marketing materials for the training and advertise it to the target composter audience through a press release, website posting, and an email announcement at least three months prior to thetraining
