Shasta College Honored with Board of Governors Energy & Sustainability Award for Composting & Clean Energy Efforts

REDDING, CA – Shasta College’s school color reflects its commitment to “green” innovations, and those efforts were recognized on March 24, 2026, by the Board of Governors in Sacramento. Superintendent/President Dr. Frank Nigro, along with Dean Mark Klever, Horticulture instructor Leimone Waite, and Director of Food Services Denise Axtell, were present to receive the 2025 Excellence in Energy and Sustainability – Innovative Project award.

The project, dubbed “Carbon Sinks,” is a collaborative effort led by the college’s Food Services and Ag/Natural Resources teams, with help from College Corps students to dispose of green waste in a way that is carbon neutral and benefits the college’s working farm, which is run by students, and instructional faculty. College Corps students ensure that the waste from the college’s cafeteria is collected twice a week and transported to the farm where dorm students, who help operate the 150-acre farm and horticulture area, assist with the composting process, which is then tied into various components of their curriculum.

Twice a year, all compost generated is spread on the farm’s fields, turning waste into nourishment—and learning opportunities for students. The college also uses the worm casting harvested from the worm bins in potting mixes at the campus nursery and in planting areas in the campus arboretum.

“We are honored as a college to again be recognized at the state level for the innovative excellence this team of individuals took on and made a success,” said Dr. Frank Nigro, Shasta College Superintendent/President. “This was truly a collaborative effort across a number of campus departments and is an excellent, low- or no-cost example of the hands-on learning environment we integrate into every aspect of our college culture, both in and outside of the classroom. The success of this effort stems from the vision our Director of Food Services, Denise Axtell, championed for many years, and the collaborative approach from both our horticulture and ag program areas. The College Corps students were the final, critical element who ensured all of the pieces moved where and when they needed to make this the success we see today.”

Combined with ag waste, the college diverts an estimated 635 cubic yards (more than 128,000 gallons) of material annually. Food scraps from the campus kitchen comprise up to 600 gallons during the academic year—and are composted in affectionately nicknamed “worm bins.” The process yields nearly 2,000 gallons of compost from food waste annually. Meanwhile, the college’s Agriculture and Horticulture departments produce substantial organic waste from livestock barns and plant clippings that are added to a large compost pile. With over 625 cubic yards of agricultural waste collected annually, composting this material is vital to soil health on the Shasta College Farm, where students study sustainable ag practices firsthand.

The college just received notice that additional funding from the state College Corps program was awarded to expand this project to collect all campus green waste for a larger worm composting project slated to start in 2027. As part of that initiative, the college plans to offer a non-credit composting class to the community, which College Corps fellows will be involved in.

Shasta College serves students across Shasta, Tehama, and Trinity Counties in rural far-northern California as one of the 116 campuses in the California Community College system. As the only public post-secondary institution in this 10,132 square mile area, Shasta College offers a wide range of programs including certificates, associate degrees, transfer options, and a fully online Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management. With campuses in Redding, Tehama, Weaverville, and Burney, as well as numerous online courses, Shasta College provides accessible, high-quality education in far-northern California. The college has been recognized with numerous grants for its innovative programs that contribute to the success of students and the broader community.

In November 2016, the passage of Measure H, a $139 million general obligation bond, enabled significant advancements at Shasta College. These include the construction of an ultra-modern state-of-the-art Computer Information Systems (CIS) instructional center, a Public Safety Training Center for Fire Academy and interagency training, a new Veterans Support and Success Center, completion of the Industrial Technology/Machining center, an Athletic Field House, a new Student Services building at the Tehama Campus, and the Community Leadership Center (CLC) in downtown Redding. Measure H also funded an additional solar array on the Redding campus, which, together with an existing solar array, will meet 80% of the college’s energy needs. Additionally, major technology infrastructure upgrades have been implemented, and the college is remodeling its Library, set to reopen in Spring 2025.

In 2025, Shasta College will proudly celebrate 75 years of service to the community. The college is especially proud of its innovative and community partnerships with industry leaders such as SHIELD, McConnell Foundation, CalFire, Sierra Pacific Industries, and many of our healthcare and dentist offices and providers. With a 337-acre main campus that includes a working farm, cutting-edge Early Childhood Education instructional and childcare center, heavy equipment and logging operations program, Shasta College continues to be a leader in higher education. It offers extensive student support services, including counseling, tutoring, financial aid, and veterans’ services. Shasta College remains committed to fostering student success and community enrichment through its comprehensive educational offerings and robust community partnerships.