(DeKalb) – Think composting is just for gardeners? Think again. Join us at the DeKalb Public Library on Tuesday, December 9, for DeCarbon Dialogues: Real Talk, Real Neighbors, Real Change.
In this cheeky, down-to-earth dialogue, we’ll dig into how food scraps become climate solutions — and how small, local systems like Nettle Composting in Rockford are rewriting the story of waste.
Kate Whitacre is a worker-owner and founding member of Nettle Composting, a cooperative built on justice, equity, and climate resilience. Whitacre’s roots run deep — she’s an organic farmer, soil steward, and lifelong advocate for community-scale sustainability.
We’ll explore:
- Why composting matters — reducing food waste, cutting methane, drawing down carbon, and rebuilding soil health.
- How community composting works — what a “worker-owned” system really means.
- How to get started — composting at home, at school, or as a community.
- The weird, wonderful world beneath our feet — and why soil is the unsung hero of climate adaptation.
Come for the dirt puns. Leave with a plan.
This program is intended for adults. It does not require registration. It will begin at 6:30 p.m. in the lower-level Yusunas Meeting Room.
For more information, contact Britta at brittak@dkpl.org or (815) 756-9568 ext. 2100.
The DeKalb Public Library is open seven days a week. Visit www.dkpl.org, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter for other library news and events.
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