Tammy Morgan and Sam Baker are high school science teachers for the Lake Placid Central School District. They are the advisors and managers of Placid Earth, a community based - student run composting program that has been turning food wastes from local families into valuable compost for school gardens and pollinator projects since 2019. Big things happen when students take action! At a recent presentation to the Lake Placid Rotary, we heard about journey of Placid Earth, an inspiring, student-driven in-vessel composting initiative. What makes it special? Smart Composting: Uses an in-vessel drum composter set inside a shipping container to process organic waste year-round—even during freezing Adirondack winters. All Food Welcome: The system easily breaks down all types of food waste, including meat, fats, oils, and bones (no compostable plastics, though!). Local students manage the data, clean buckets, paint murals, and turn food scraps into rich soil. The finished compost directly nourishes school gardens, the STREAM alternative education program, pollinator beds, and local community spaces. $20/month community membership: Local families drop off food scraps and can take home free, nutrient-dense compost anytime. As the initiative continues to grow, Placid Earth is partnering with local community organizations to secure long-term fiscal support and expand opportunities for student internships.
