MONTPELIER — The 20th annual Vermont Organics Recycling Summit (VORS) will be held on Wednesday, March 25, at the Montpelier Performing Arts Hub. It is organized by the Composting Association of Vermont (CAV) and the Agency of Natural Resources.
VORS brings together composters, farmers, businesses, educators, policymakers, and community leaders to advance solutions to keep clean organic materials out of landfills and return nutrients to Vermont soils. Additional workshops, tours, and hands-on learning opportunities will be held across the state on March 26..
“The 20th annual Vermont Organics Recycling Summit is guided by the theme, Compost! Feed the Soil that Feeds Us,” said Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Misty Sinsigalli. “This is a cornerstone gathering for Vermont’s growing organics recycling ecosystem. Whether you’re a backyard composter, a farmer, a municipal leader, or a sustainability advocate, VORS provides a critical forum for cross-sector collaboration.”
A highlight of this milestone year will be the keynote presentation from Jayne Merner. Merner is a lifelong compost practitioner and co-owner / operator of Earth Care Farm in Rhode Island. She grew up working in compost production and now leads one of the region’s best-known large-scale compost operations. Merner also hosts The Composter podcast and has taught composting and soil stewardship around the world.
Each year, VORS fosters connections, sparks innovation, and helps translate policy and research into real-world action. The summit welcomes all who are passionate about creating healthier communities through composting.
CAV is partnering with ORCA Media to record sessions for post-event viewing.
To learn more and register for VORS, visit compostingvermont.org/vors-2026.
The Department of Environmental Conservation is responsible for protecting Vermont’s natural resources and safeguarding human health for the benefit of this and future generations. Visit dec.vermont.gov and follow the Department of Environmental Conservation on Facebook and Instagram.

 newspackHandleImageError(this);” fifu-data-src=”https://i1.wp.com/vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/vermont-conversation-logo-300×106.jpg?ssl=1″ alt=”vermont conversation logo” class=”wp-image-523351″ srcset=”https://i1.wp.com/vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/vermont-conversation-logo-300×106.jpg?ssl=1 300w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/vermont-conversation-logo-1200×422.jpg 1200w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/vermont-conversation-logo-125×44.jpg 125w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/vermont-conversation-logo-768×270.jpg 768w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/vermont-conversation-logo-1536×541.jpg 1536w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/vermont-conversation-logo-2048×721.jpg 2048w” sizes=”(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px”></figure>
</div>
<p>Karen Kevra was passionate about playing the flute as a child. But in college, she became disillusioned and walked away from classical music. Her long and winding journey brought her back to music, and in the process, transformed the music scene in Vermont.
<p>Karen Kevra is founder and artistic director of Capital City Concerts (CCC), which is celebrating its 25<sup>th</sup> anniversary this year. It has become one of Vermont’s premier and most beloved chamber music series, holding concerts in Montpelier and Burlington. Kevra is a Grammy-nominated flutist who performs at each of the CCC concerts. She has shared the stage with members of the Emerson String Quartet, the Paris Piano Trio, the Borromeo String Quartet, the Boston Chamber Music Society and Trey Anastasio of Phish.
<p>Kevra has performed throughout the U.S., Canada and Europe, including performances at Carnegie Hall and the French Embassy in Washington D.C. When the Covid pandemic closed down performance venues, Kevra turned to telling stories. She launched a podcast, Muse Mentors, a series of beautifully crafted interviews with artists, activists and thinkers in which she explores the transformative role that mentors have played in their lives. She is on the music faculty of Middlebury College.<div class=)