ABOUT
As a community based non-profit, we support a healthy transition where food is never wasted, but returned to the soil for the next cycle of life.
Cooperatively with a diverse network of partners within LA County, we co-create spaces for local compost access and engagement, restorative practices, and community empowerment. Community composting takes a collective effort.
OUR STORY
LA Compost began in 2013 with the collective efforts of volunteers, friends and family.
We wanted communities to see how far their organic material was traveling and the harmful effects it had on the environment. In the beginning, our collection crew rode bikes with trailers that allowed them to haul food scraps, leaves, paper, and other organic material from restaurants, homes, and schools to local compost centers. While this model has worked in other cities, LA’s sprawl made the pilot unsustainable.
In 2014, LA Compost shifted to a model of decentralized community compost hubs -cared for, maintained and enjoyed by activated community members. LA Compost hubs are built in places where people coexist -in churches, schools, gardens, and workplaces. We now have community compost hubs throughout LA County. Each hub reflects the community in which it's located, but they all serve the same purpose. They compost organics locally while creating shared spaces for people to connect with each other and the natural world.
In 2018, we defined our scope according to the Hierarchy to Reduce Food Waste and Grow Community established by the Institute of Local Self Reliance. Our programs serve the individual for home composting, the community with access and education to a decentralized network of composting infrastrucutre, as well as regionally based sites for organics processing, compost creation, and continued education.
LEARN HOW TO GET INVOLVED
Meet the Team
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While studying the microbiology of plant cells in college Alex became fascinated with nature's ability to carry out complex systems all on their own. From there he joined school clubs where he was introduced to sustainability, community gardening, and composting. After graduating with his BS in Biology, Alex wanted to explore careers in farming/gardening leading him to jobs at LA Compost. Alex’s focus is creating decentralized sustainable food, water, and energy communities for future generations. In his free time he enjoy reading, observing nature, and learning new skills.
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A local resident of the Panorama City area, Andrea found Cottonwood Urban Farm minutes from where she lived and began volunteering. After months of great work supporting the CUF compost hub, she joined the LA Compost team as a Compost Manager. She looks forward to spending her Saturday mornings among the food scraps and the new community LA Compost has given her. While the sifting station has always been her favorite part of composting, she enjoys seeing all the new faces that come to drop off.
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Gina is a native Angeleno, inspired and dedicated to healing our urban environments with meaningful earth work. She has worked with local landscape companies, urban farms, and various nonprofits to add beauty and purpose to urban spaces. Gina loves to compost and watch its transformation from beginning to end, as it reflects our own potential for change and renewal.
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Jonathan was born and raised in South LA. His garden career began with an interest in cooking classes as a green ambassador in his high school program. He grew the composting program at Root Down LA- picking up food waste on skateboards and bikes, and turning piles with his mentors in the growing spaces. Jonathan is dedicated to teaching about healthy alternatives to a broken food system.
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Born and raised in New York, Hayden began her composting journey when she moved across the country to Los Angeles in 2020. A long-time proponent of implementing sustainable practices in her own life and those of friends and family, she first began dropping off her food scraps with LA Compost, which she then followed up with becoming a volunteer for two years before officially joining the team in 2023! Hayden can be spotted at farmers markets and compost hubs across Northeast LA, working closely with volunteers and community members to spread the joy of community composting! When she isn't composting, Hayden loves going on hikes with friends and her Husky, Lucky, looking for thrifted treasures, and going on road trips!
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Lynn Fang, MS is committed to creating integrated compost farm systems in urban areas, restoring compost as part of an ecologically sustainable and socially just farm ecosystem. She actively teaches, speaks, and consults on soil and compost ecology, and has worked with several different organizations, schools, botanical gardens, and other institutions. She weaves together her master’s work in compost microbiology with her experiences in permaculture, urban ecological farming, and community development.
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Enjoli comes to L.A. Compost with experience in collaborating with youth leaders, eco clubs, teachers and partnering organizations to host and co-host sustainability-driven events in Los Angeles County. Enjoli also has experience in curriculum and program development. As an ISA Certified Arborist Enjoli has had the opportunity to work towards expanding on “green geared” projects ideas such as native / climate appropriate, and edible garden installations, tree plantings, and outdoor classroom design. Enjoli’s professional and personal goal is to act as a foundation for awareness and action. Enjoli’s goals are tied to supporting community members in enhancing their life experiences.
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Erica Montelongo was born and raised in South Central LA. For the past 5 years, she has been involved in supporting community-based organizations. When she is not composting she is also an artist inspired by the compost piles she turns with volunteers. She enjoys using the compost pile to teach and inspire others. She is proud to create a resource that is beneficial to communities and the planet.
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Maggie was born and raised in New Jersey and began working in urban ecology at the Urban and Environmental Policy Institute and FEAST Garden at Occidental College. After college, they researched access to biodiversity education in K-12 schools, which led them to work with public gardens. They are passionate about access to community education around regenerative land management and stewardship.
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Mark’s knowledge of gardening and the importance of good soil management was instilled at an early age by his mother. Growing up he always had large gardens with vegetables and fruit trees. His interest in plants and the environment eventually lead him to obtain a BS in Environmental Biology with a minor in Chemistry and Finance and a MS in Marine Sciences The more Mark studies nature and the cycles of minerals and animals, the more he realizes that the practices he learned from his grandparents improve the quality and quantity of the food we grow.
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Michael is a certified Master Gardener, a former elementary school teacher, and the Founder and Executive Director of L.A Compost. Michael has over 8 years of experience building gardens and compost systems throughout the County of Los Angeles as well as other parts of the country. Michael has grown LA Compost from a group of volunteers collecting organics with bikes to a decentralized network of community compost hubs that span across the most populated county in the country.
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Noemi, born and raised in Boyle Heights, is the Compost Manager for the San Gabriel Valley. She takes great honor in being able to work with mother earth and the people that find meaning in taking care of the land together. When she is not working with a pitchfork and watering hose, she is managing her small business which allows her to travel and connect with indigenous artisans across Mexico. Working with LA Compost, she hopes that people of all walks of life adapt to the compost lifestyle as it is a form of wellness for the individual as well as the collective.
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Paola was born and raised in Zapopan, México, and for the past five years has been involved in community engagement projects in different areas of LA County. She believes in the power of culture and the arts to strengthen meaningful community connections. In her free time, she enjoys spending time listening to music, gardening, and learning about botany, soil, and urban wildlife. She is thrilled to be part of the LA Compost team and hopes more communities and individuals get inspired to compost.
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Born and raised in downtown Manhattan, Sam's passion for nature and the environment was piqued when he spent the first semester of his junior year in high school at a wilderness training school in Leadville, CO. Since then he has had an eclectic career working in and around various ecological initiatives: doing fiscal impact analysis on proposed environmental legislation as an analyst at NYC's Mayor's Office of Management and Budget, managing The Lower East Side Ecology Center's electronic waste recycling & reuse facility in Gowanus, BK, and working as a hauler for lower Manhattan's pioneering bicycle-powered organics micro-hauling company Reclaimed Organics. A newcomer to LA and recent addition to the LA Compost team, he is thrilled to be working outside with such an incredible community of LA residents and LA Compost team members alike!
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Megan comes to LA Compost with a diversity of experience in partnership development and organizing alongside youth, community and student groups for food, environmental, and racial justice initiatives. Additionally, Megan has invested much of her professional time in community program development, evaluation, and management in the Los Angeles area. Megan received her undergraduate degree in Environmental Studies/Biology with an emphasis in agroecology from the University of California, Santa Cruz. While working alongside the LA Compost team, Megan is concurrently pursuing a Master's in Public Health degree emphasizing in community health sciences at UCLA, where she also holds a certificate in horticulture.
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Bio coming soon.
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Tanya was born and raised in San Bernardino, CA. She has a B.S in Industrial Engineering. Composting is important to her because she sees the intersectionality between people and environmental health in it. She is passionate about learning how to connect more with herself, her neighbors, and mother nature. She also enjoys getting morning sunlight, playing in the rain, and looking for natural swimming areas with friends.
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Elena was born and raised in San Antonio, Texas, and considers herself a Tejana at heart. She became interested in food justice and policy as an Urban Environmental Policy student at Occidental College. Around the same time, Elena began eating a plant based diet and eventually became completely vegan. Elena’s professional pursuits have included administering EBT and Market Match at several LA Farmer’s Markets and coordinating volunteers and community programs at The L.A. Kitchen. She is passionate about creating a community around sustainable living and food.
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Stephanie is a nature lover. Her first taste of environmental advocacy started in high school after writing a research paper on the effects of electronic waste and the impact it has caused on our health. This research led her to join her environmental club, where she organized an electronic waste drive. They recycled over 100 pounds of e-waste in one morning. During her undergrad, she continued to integrate environmental awareness into her studies. As an undergrad, she served as the Policy & Advocacy Intern for the American Lung Association. Here she found her voice in the political space learning about the importance of voting on our local propositions. After undergrad, Stephanie served as an 8th-grade U.S. history educator with Teach for America. Leaving the classroom was a difficult decision but she was ready to pursue a career in the environmental field. Today you can find Stephanie organizing community events centered on sustainability, regenerative agriculture, upcycling, and women empowerment. When Stephanie isn’t helping to turn compost piles or co-leading the Soil Farmer Project, she is planning events with her non-profit Shift Our Ways Collective. Growing her skills and knowledge in the environmental field has been a blessing. She is grateful that LA Compost chose them as one of the first community hubs in the San Fernando Valley and looks forward to her continued growth within this space.
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Born and raised in South Central LA, Ana is passionate about environmental justice, access to green spaces, and sustainable food systems in black and brown neighborhoods like hers. During her time at Santa Monica College, she studied Environmental Studies and Recycling Resource Management. Honored to serve the community that raised her, she is excited to foster community in South LA, build partnerships, and work alongside the LA Compost staff and volunteers. You can find her at various green spaces and farmers markets in the greater South LA region collecting food scraps, turning compost piles, or taking photos of what she finds beautiful. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, connecting with nature, and exploring the city.
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Kyle is a Texas native evolving in Los Angeles, who got his start with LA Compost through the California Climate Action Corps. His passions include exploring the wonders of the land, going to raves, thrifting, and creating space for communal healing, spiritual growth, and meditation.
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Arefa comes to LA Compost with over 17 years of work experience in the non-profit sector ranging from immigrant rights, civil rights, housing justice, and community development. For the past 8 years she has focused specifically on fundraising work through campaign and event planning, grant support, donor engagement, solicitation, and consultation. She is excited to be joining the environmental sector, enhancing donor and corporate stewardship with LA Compost, and supporting the reduction of waste in Los Angeles. Arefa studied Mass Communications and History at UC Berkeley and has a Masters in Public Policy from American University. In her free time, she is creating memories with her three children and spouse, volunteering with the Scouts of America, and giving back to the community.
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Jeshua, a San Gabriel Valley native, developed a deep appreciation for nature and gardening from a young age. Inspired by her college studies on sustainability and environmental impact, she embraced a plant-based lifestyle and actively engaged in volunteering and advocating for environmental justice. With a passion for bringing people together to give back to the planet, Jeshua thrives in collaborative environments dedicated to preserving our Earth.
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Quinn was raised in the Upper Midwest and he soaked up the magic of nature whenever possible by climbing trees, building forts in the woods, and playing in creeks and lakes. He studied film and TV at Minnesota State University Moorhead and, after graduation, moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in entertainment; but he stayed for the sunshine, warm weather, and easy access to nature. He has since worked in education and brand development. Joining the LA Compost team has helped him feel a sense of connection and community with others who have a shared vision for a greener Earth. Quinn still relishes the magic of nature through hiking, practicing yoga, and visiting local parks.
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Ashleigh Dawson started her environmental advocacy work while pursuing her fashion internships in Los Angeles, California. Ashleigh started learning about overproduction and the broken linear economy we have today. At 18 and with a vision, she created Recycle2Riches.org! Her main goal with this non-profit is to transform the culture of consumption on a global scale. As the President of R2R, she believes that the world needs to work towards a circular economy along with a closed-loop lifestyle. She is also the curator of the Earth Day Summit; an annual one-day climate action event that makes Earth Day Every Day for all involved. Ash is inspired by the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals; focusing on circularity and becoming a leader in ESG (Environmental, Social, and Corporate Governance). She is currently a California Climate Action Corps fellow for the 23-24 semester and was assigned to LA Compost.
The Board
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Caroline Snyder started her career in public education as a high school teacher and department head. After falling in love with financial literacy she returned to school to get an MBA and worked in the financial industry before founding Verdi - a financial coaching company designed for feminists who want to create their own unique versions of financial success. She believes in the transformative power of mindfulness, financial empowerment and experiential learning - all areas of focus can be seen throughout the Verdi coaching process.
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Robbie Martin is a strategic partnerships and fundraising expert with a decade of philanthropic leadership experience. He is the founder of The RAM3 Project, a social impact consulting practice that specializes in harnessing the power of nonprofits to expand their development and corporate partnership programs. Robbie became passionate about food waste recovery and composting during his time in Pepperdine University's Masters in Social Entrepreneurship and Change program. In his free time, Robbie enjoys hiking, road trips, and supporting the performing arts.
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Ryan Jackson is a lifelong environmentalist committed to bettering Los Angeles through public service and civic engagement. While working at municipalities and non-profits, Ryan has administered programs, developed policies, enforced against polluting industries, and organized communities to make changes that lessen our impact on the planet. Currently, Ryan works as an Environmental Specialist at the Los Angeles Department of Water & Power where he leads the LADWP Green Team and zero waste efforts. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Society & Environment from UC Berkeley and a Master of Public Administration in Environmental Science Policy from Columbia University.
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Shannon Wright is an attorney and the Director of Compliance at Inspire Clean Energy. Shannon has nearly a decade of experience working in Legal Compliance in the nonprofit and mission-driven sector. Her professional goals have centered around improving education and fighting the climate crisis. In her free time Shannon loves spending time with her dog Frida, cooking and learning to bake.
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Charlie Southward, a US Air Force veteran from Riverside, California, founded In God’s Hands Garden (IGH) in 2014 while living at the Bell shelter, initially as a volunteer. Over eight years, IGH evolved into a vital source of organic produce for homeless communities. Now located in Long Beach, IGH focuses on serving women's and children's shelters, aiming to address their dietary needs and cultural preferences. As a board member of LA Compost, Charlie shares his gardening expertise to promote environmental sustainability. In 2023, he looks forward to expanding IGH's impact at the Growing Experience in Long Beach, where fertile soil promises abundant growth.