Developing Future Leaders in Organics Recycling: Maryland’s Compost Facility Operator Certification and Compost Crew’s Fellowship Program
Compost Crew prides itself in its team of Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA)-certified compost facility operators overseeing its composting operations across the region. As a group committed to upholding the highest standards in organics recycling, our Composting team ensures that its sites are managed by trained personnel who understand the science, regulations, and best practices behind effective composting. To help cultivate the next generation of composting professionals, several years ago Compost Crew launched its composting fellowship program—an immersive, seasonal internship designed to provide aspiring composters with hands-on experience and foundational training in safe, sustainable, and compliant composting practices.
Maryland Department of Agriculture Compost Facility Operator Certification
Commercial composting in Maryland is governed by strict regulatory standards to ensure environmental safety, product quality, and operational accountability. In accordance with state law, any individual managing a composting facility where materials are processed for sale or distribution must obtain certification through passing the MDA Compost Facility Operator (CFO) exam.
This requirement underscores the fact that composting is not a casual or unregulated activity, it demands a comprehensive understanding of biological processes, site management, and public health considerations. The CFO certification serves as formal recognition that an operator is trained and qualified to manage these systems responsibly.
Compost Crew views certification not just as a regulatory necessity, but as a professional standard. We encourage all team members, regardless of department, to pursue certification to deepen their understanding of composting systems. To date, 14 Compost Crew staff have successfully passed the MDA CFO exam, reinforcing the company’s commitment to operational excellence and environmental stewardship. An MDA-certified compost facility operator oversees every Compost Crew Compost Outpost®.
Compost Crew Composting Fellowship Program
In 2021, Compost Crew launched the Composting fellowship program as a volunteer opportunity following the development of Compost Crew’s first Compost Outpost at One Acre Farm in Dickerson, Maryland. The program was created to provide proper training and experience with a professional composting operation and food waste diversion system so graduated fellows are exposed to a career in the industry. The program has since evolved into a structured, six-month seasonal paid internship designed to provide practical experience in decentralized composting. Fellows participate in weekly food scrap processing and learn key aspects of compost site management, including:
- Monitoring compost pile moisture, temperature, and gas levels (O₂ and CO₂)
- Maintaining site cleanliness and operational readiness
- Establishing a proper carbon-to-nitrogen (C:N) balance
Additionally, fellows conduct seasonal seed germination tests to evaluate compost maturity and receive monthly presentations covering core composting concepts. Fellows also have access to Compost Crew’s curated collection of webinars, industry literature, and professional development resources.
While the Compost Crew fellowship certificate is not affiliated with an external accrediting body, fellows who elect to be evaluated on their field performance and technical knowledge are eligible to receive this internal certification as a formal recognition of their achievement. The program also helps to prepare those interested in achieving the MDA CFO certification. Since its launch, 27 individuals have completed the fellowship program. Many entered the program without prior composting experience, united by a shared interest in sustainability, food waste diversion, and zero-waste principles. Alumni of the program have gone on to build careers in composting and related sectors. Notably, two early Fellows, Julie Williamson and Ivy Nargiz, now hold full-time positions within Compost Crew’s Composting Division and play a leadership role in training future cohorts.
Through this dual emphasis on formal certification and hands-on training, Compost Crew is actively preparing the next generation of professionals in the composting industry—equipping them with the tools, experience, and knowledge needed to make lasting contributions to environmental sustainability while ensuring that compost operations comply with the highest standards of state and environmental regulations.
