Rangeland & Grassland Soil Degradation: Can SB 1383 Compost Be The Solution?
Overgrazing, invasive species and lack of water are the primary reasons rangeland and grassland soil have been severely degraded over the past decade. Poor soil health, including low levels of organic matter and soil carbon, has led to a loss of native, perennial grasses that have been overrun by annual, invasive grasses. Poor soil health also causes soil erosion and inefficient use of water critical issues during periods of drought. The result is unusable rangeland that economically impacts ranchers who must reduce herd size or planting acreage.
California Jurisdictions (under Senate Bill 1383) must divert tens of millions of tons of organic waste each year from landfills to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and then recycle the organic waste into compost. The question becomes, what to do with the oversupply of compost generated because of SB 1383? One solution is to apply the compost to degraded rangeland and grassland to create healthier soils and encourage carbon sequestration.
For cattle ranchers and others who make their livelihood on the country’s open ranges, using compost to improve soil quality has been cost-prohibitive. SB 1383 changed that. As the amount of available organic compost grows, jurisdictions and organic composters are applying the generated compost to millions of acres of ranchland and grassland using carbon credits to offset costs and resolve the oversupply issue. Improving the soil with compost also solves soil degradation problems that are preventing ranchers from making full use of the land.
This talk will discuss how the compost-rangeland relationship can be financially feasible, compost application techniques, benefits to both ranchers and jurisdictions, and include examples.
Speaker
Bill Camarillo, CEO, Agromin
Bill Camarillo is CEO of Agromin, the largest organics recycler in California. He remains passionate about organic recycling and regenerative soil science after 25 years in the industry. As the CEO of Agromin, he plays a key role in pioneering sustainability through organic conversion. Bill spent 10 years in the U.S. Marine Corps. While in the Marine Corps, he finished two associate degrees from College of the Desert, a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Redlands, and a Master of Science in Business Administration from the University of Redlands.
A Holistic Approach to Community-Wide Waste Reduction
This session will highlight how the Isla Vista Community Services District (IVCSD) has successfully implemented localized, low-cost waste diversion strategies that can be adapted to fit a wide variety of communities. By prioritizing convenience, education, and collaborative partnerships, IVCSD has successfully diverted over 120,400 pounds of food scraps and countless pounds of waste from the landfill, significantly reducing Isla Vista’s carbon footprint. Key initiatives include: a compost collection program that transforms community food scraps into high-quality compost for local gardens, a large-scale donation and salvage operation for reusable goods and non-perishable food items, and a volunteer program that encourages consistent community involvement. These efforts are complemented by seasonal campaigns, such as sustainable gift-giving during the holidays and composting pumpkins in the fall, that align with cultural habits and moments of high consumption in our community. Central to IVCSD’s success is a strong network of partners, including local nonprofits, businesses, and service providers. These collaborations allow for resource sharing, coordinated outreach, and increased community buy-in. All programs are intentionally designed to be accessible, intuitive, and replicable across diverse community demographics. Attendees will leave with practical, scalable ideas for waste reduction that emphasize education, inclusion, and relationship-building. Whether in a rural town, coastal city, or suburban neighborhood, these models offer effective pathways to build a cleaner, more sustainable future from the ground up.
Speakers
Myah Mashhadialireza, Community Engagement Director, Isla Vista Community Services District
Myah is a dedicated community advocate and public servant, currently serving as the Community Engagement Director at the Isla Vista Community Services District. She leads dynamic outreach efforts, connects residents with vital resources, and builds meaningful partnerships across sectors to ensure an informed and empowered community. With a passion for equity, environmental justice, and local governance, Myah works at the intersection of advocacy and access. Her commitment to social justice is shaped by lived experience and a deep belief in collective care, community power, and removing barriers to civic engagement.
Jenna Norton, Public Works and Sustainability Director, Isla Vista Community Services District
Jenna is the Public Works & Sustainability Director for the Isla Vista Community Services District. She leads educational efforts around sustainability and initiatives aimed at waste reduction, beautification, and composting, including a large-scale Move Out program that diverts thousands of pounds of reusable goods each year. Jenna works closely with local partners to make sustainable practices easy and accessible, fostering long-term behavior change and community pride.
Building Sustainable Food Access with the Foodbank of Santa Barbara County
Discover how the Foodbank of Santa Barbara County is addressing the intersecting crises of food insecurity and food waste – two of the most urgent challenges to building a more sustainable, equitable food system.
In Santa Barbara County, 1 in 3 residents experience food insecurity, and 40% of households struggle to afford their basic needs. Meanwhile, the United States discards billions of meals each year, representing an immense loss of resources and a major contribution to greenhouse gas emissions. As one of the region’s leading food relief organizations – partnering with over 200 partner agencies countywide to distribute over an estimated 10 million pounds of food annually – we recognize the need for a food systems transformation grounded in equity, connection, and stewardship.
To meet this challenge, the Foodbank has implemented a range of forward-thinking sustainability initiatives designed to recover surplus food, reduce our environmental impact, and build long-term community resilience. Through our daily edible food recovery efforts, a growing large-scale composting program, and empowering community education initiatives, the Foodbank is committed to making sustainability and environmental justice not just an addition to our work, but an integral part of how we serve, connect with, and uplift our community. Our goal is a local food system that transforms waste into opportunity, education into deep care for each other and our environment, and community engagement into lasting, systemic change.
Together, we’ll explore how the Foodbank is leveraging community empowerment, intentional food sourcing, and innovative waste reduction programs to co-create a more accessible, just, and climate-resilient food system in Santa Barbara County.
Speaker
Alissa Millar serves as the Community Engagement Coordinator for the Foodbank of Santa Barbara County’s South County volunteer operations. After graduating from UCSB, she joined the Foodbank as a California Climate Action Corps fellow, supporting food waste reduction through the expansion of the Backyard Bounty gleaning program and community outreach. In her current role, she recruits and empowers volunteers while supporting sustainability initiatives that align with the Foodbank’s mission. Alissa is committed to contributing to a more just and accessible local food system, rooted in care for both people and the planet through collaboration, education, and community engagement.
Addressing Food Security Through Neighborhood Gardens
The UCSB Edible Campus Program aims to address local food insecurity by repurposing underutilized spaces for sustainable food production and engaging students and community members as growers and producers. We train individuals in practices that address social, economic, and environmental aspects of sustainability and help them to reclaim their personal connection to the land and their food. We do this through support of 8 community gardens on campus and in Isla Vista, offering several workshops a week, and running a robust volunteer engagement program. Through this talk we will highlight the role community gardens can play in addressing food insecurity. We will also discuss how we help instill an appreciation for the work and resources that goes into growing healthy plants for food production.
Speaker
Katie Maynard, Director of Student Sustainability Initiatives, UC Santa Barbara
Katie Maynard is the Director of Student Sustainability Initiatives and a Sustainability Officer 4 at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Ms. Maynard directs the Sustainability Internships and Community Resources Department. Through this department she supports 60-80 student interns each year. Ms. Maynard is also the supervisor for the UCSB Edible Campus Program. She also partners with the academic community to assist in integrating sustainability into the curriculum and provides learning opportunities for students. She also acts as a campus point of contact for select sustainability initiatives and programs. She was awarded the UC Sustainability Champion Award in July 2019. She is also Principal Investigator for a REACH 2.0 Electric Vehicle Charging Program Grant and the USDA CalFresh Outreach Grant.