Access & Advisory Committee (AAC)

The AAC monitors legislative and policy matters where the compost industry can have an impact such as organic waste diversion, soil health, climate change, agriculture and urban infrastructure. The AAC seeks to educate and assist decision-makers from the national to the local level to help them understand the importance of compost and how it is tied to these and other important issues. The AAC seeks to encourage NC municipalities and local governments to develop comprehensive organics policy and compost programs. The AAC partners with other stakeholders to form coalitions, and the AAC participates in the USCC LEAC.

At the January 2023 Strategic Planning Meeting, the NC Composting Council voted to approve hiring Nick Wood of Blue Heron Lobbying and Consulting, LLC to aid the Advisory and Access Committee (AAC) to build relationships and further state legislation that supports composting and healthy soils in NC.

On Wednesday April 19, 2023 the NC Senate added an amendment to the North Carolina Farm Act that would include “compost” on the list of tax exempt items for qualifying farmers. Senators Norman Sanderson (R – Craven, Carteret) and Brent Jackson (R- Bladen, Duplin, Jones, Sampson, Pender) championed the effort. The legislation is expected to pass and be signed into law before the end of the 2023 session.

That single word “compost” opened the door for NCCC Board President Muriel Williman and AAC Chair Dr. Janel Ohletz to meet with Senator Sanderson, and Representative Jarrod Lowery (R, Robeson County) to directly thank them for helping farmers have greater access to compost made here in NC, and share why it is so important. These meaningful efforts are just one way the AAC is supporting the NCCC and our members. We are looking forward to more legislative opportunities in the future.

Want to be part of the action? Join us on the AAC! Meetings are open and held the third Friday of the month at 10:30AM on Zoom: info@carolinacompost.com