Workshop: Johnson-Su Bioreactor Construction

Ciudad Soil & Water Conservation District, in collaboration with the Healthy Soil Working Group Compost Coalition, has received NMDA Healthy Soil Program grant funds to present four workshops over the next nine months in Albuquerque, and to provide a cost-share discount for workshop participants who want to purchase the materials to build a Johnson-Su Bioreactor.

The first workshop will take place on Sunday November 13, 10am-3pm (lunch provided) at the Agri Nature Center in the Village of Los Ranchos. Dr. David Johnson and Hui-Chun Su will be present to provide instructions and answer questions! This is a rare opportunity to meet the creators of the Johnson-Su bioreactor.

In this hands-on workshop, participants will learn how to construct Johnson-Su Bioreactors. Created by New Mexico State University’s very own Dr. David C. Johnson and his wife Hui-Chun Su, the Johnson-Su Bioreactor is an ideal method of composting in dry, arid climates as it reduces water usage up to six times compared to other composting methods. Little labor is required after the initial set-up as it is a completely no-turn composting process (no need for a tractor or hours of shoveling!). The compost created in these bioreactors is biologically diverse, fungally dominated and therefore has exceptional potential to regenerate poor and degraded soils.
→ Learn more about the Johnson-Su system.

Registration for this workshop is capped at 25 participants and free-of-charge with an option to take home your own bioreactor kit for the discounted price of $100. You will be able to pay the day of the workshop. Please bring cash or check and truck or other large vehicle if you are interested in taking home your own bioreactor!

WHAT TO BRING/WEAR

• Work clothes and work boots
• Sun protection
• Refillable water bottle
• Gloves and goggles

^{Bioreactor building field day at Chelenzo Farms, Image by I. Jenniches CC BY 2.0}