Upcoming Courses

Compost Operations Training Course 2026
Griffin, GA

Mar 16–20, 2026 • 8:00 AM – 12:30 PM ET • Griffin, GA
5-Day Course Professional Development

An intensive, hands-on course with in-depth lectures, a team pile build, monitoring, and local facility tours—all designed to build confident, competent composting professionals.

Additional 2026 Courses

Tentative Dates Multi-State Offerings

All dates and locations below are tentative with the exception of North Carolina:

April/May – Central U.S.
July/August – Northern/Central California
September 7–11 – Raleigh, NC (Confirmed)
October – Colorado

Submit your name to our interest list to be notified by email when registration opens for these additional trainings.

Compost Operations Training Course (COTC)

The compost industry’s gold standard for facility management

The COTC is a comprehensive, hands-on training program in the U.S. designed for compost facility staff and composting professionals. Since 2010, over 1,800 participants have gained the knowledge and confidence to build successful composting operations that drive soil health, reduce landfill waste, and strengthen communities.

This 5-day course gives you the knowledge you need to run a successful composting facility, whether you’re just getting started or have been composting for years.

For any questions regarding the COTC, please contact Kelsea Jacobsen: 
education@compostfoundation.org or (833) 812-2733 ext. 0

1800+

Trained Professionals

5 Days

Intensive Training

Hands-On

Field Experience

From compost operators to environmental and agricultural consultants to local and state regulators; the COTC is for anyone who wants quality, in-depth instruction from leading composting professionals and educators on the art and science of commercial-scale compost production and marketing.

Day 1:  Composting process, feedstocks, recipe development, compost systems

Day 2:  Site design, equipment, environmental protection (odors & stormwater), regulations

Day 3:  Composting facility tours

Day 4:  Compost testing, product quality, compost applications, marketing

Day 5:  Facility management, troubleshooting, analyzing compost piles

Small Businesses/ Consultants/ Local Municipalities:
USCC Members $1,450
Non-members $1,610

Large Businesses/ Organizations:
USCC Members $1,620
Non-members $1,760

Registration by Early Bird date: $100 off any pricing! (date varies by course)

The COTC meets training requirements to become a Certified Compost Operations Manager (CCOM™) or Certified Composting Professional (CCP™), or to fulfill CEUs for maintaining either certification. Click here to learn more about professional certification through the US Composting Council.

To Our COTC Program Sponsors

Our training is possible thanks to partners who champion operator education, safer facilities, and high-quality compost.

We’re grateful for your commitment to advancing the industry.

Platinum Level Sponsor

Platinum Level
Gold Level

Silver Level Sponsors

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Silver Level

Year-long, national COTC program sponsorship opportunities are available!

Thank you to our in-kind sponsors who donate their products and services toward the COTC.

charterup

Transportation for our trainings is sponsored in part through CharterUP. They offer private group transportation nationally, including hotspots such as New Orleans, San Francisco, and Orlando.

What are industry professionals saying about the COTC?