2008 Grant Proposal Details

Garden Motor   River Road Elementary

Total: $500

Description:  We are seeking $500 to replace a broken motor on the River Road Earth Machine, a mechanized composter that allows the school to compost all organic cafeteria waste.

Why is this important?  As a certified Oregon Green School, River Road is committed to reducing waste and enacting sustainable practices in all aspects of the school community. By fixing the Earth Machine, River Road will reduce its landfill waste by as much as 500 pounds per week. Students will learn about the process of composting by sorting leftover food on their plates. Finished compost from the Waste Machine is used in the school garden, where students plant, grow and harvest vegetables throughout the school year.

Who will be served?  Because all organic waste from the cafeteria is processed in the Earth Machine, this project serves the 350 students, grades K-5, who attend River Road. Each year, approximately 150 students participate in school garden programs. These students receive additional benefit from the composting program through lessons on soil tilth, microorganisms and nutrition.

How will this be evaluated?  We will weigh the compostable materials generated in two school lunches this year to measure the amount of material diverted from the landfill waste stream.

Does this build on existing programs?  River Road has been an Oregon Green School since 2004. The Earth Machine was in operation from 2005 to 2007, when the machine's motor broke.

Budget:  Equipment: $500 for replacement motor Services: (In-kind) 3 hours of staff time to install motor, and 5 hours per month of staff time to monitor/service the Earth Machine

Proposal #:  92