International Compost Awareness Week

ICAW brings a week full of interactive programs and experiences to Illinois that highlight, promote, and celebrate the myriad of ways that compost benefits our soil, our communities, our world, and our own lives. Some past adventures have included...

  • Farmer's markets with special displays and tables
  • Open houses and adventures on Illinois farms
  • Presentations and lectures, including in-person and virtual events
  • Vermicomposting demos
  • Storytimes and other events, games, and activities for kids and families
  • Native plant, plant, and seed giveaways
  • Compost giveback events with locally made compost
  • Garden and backyard tours

Click here to visit the ICAW Archives

Illustrated poster with the text "Compost! Feed the Soil that Feeds Us." ICAW 2026: May 3-9

ICAW 2026 preparations are officially underway. This year’s theme, “Compost! Feed the Soil that Feeds Us,” highlights the vital role compost plays in sustaining life on land.

This year's poster features collaged artwork with layered soil represented by paper materials, alongside food scraps, leaves, and roots, with green plants growing above the soil, "illustrating composting as a living, breathing cycle of resilience and transformation."