ACTION PRIORITIES In the afternoon the group divided into three interest areas- education, infrastructure, and policy- or places where, based on their current work, they believed they could have the greatest ability to direct change post- Summit. Groups discussed how to turn the opportunities identified in the morning into actions. Each table was assigned two facilitators to help guide and record the discussion. All three topics had more than one table simultaneously discussing feasible and critical actions that could be taken in each topic area. At the beginning of the session table participants recorded and posted their action ideas on sticky notes. After everyone recorded their own ideas, there was a brief discussion period so everyone could fully understand each idea. Next, each table voted on two-three topics to which they would dedicate the remainder of the afternoon discussing and exploring. A summary report-out session was held so attendees could learn what was discussed at all the other tables. During a brief break, the facilitation team from Daylight reviewed all the charts and comments, pulling the top action items into a Mentimeter poll (an interactive online polling system). The day concluded with all attendees voting on the top action items in each category.
Education actions included reaching wider and different audiences such as landscapers, farmers, and project managers on the benefits of using compost for large, public and private commercial projects. For individuals to better understand why compost can replace fertilizers we need to "be able to demonstrate to end users the value… of using commercial compost." The groups discussed actions to develop new delivery models (train the trainer and individual) and that a regional panel of experts could be established to review and develop new materials. Some discussion was had about who should provide the education with at least one group coalescing around the idea that Illinois Extension could train community-based organizations who in turn could train community members. There were also ideas on how compost education could be improved for both teachers and students by hiring school sustainability specialists, encouraging/incorporating composting practices in schools, connecting composting to other subjects such as biology and environmental sciences, making sure teachers were experienced home composters, and in general figuring out how to get composting added to school curriculum either by contacting
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