At Shasta College, “green” isn’t just a school color—it’s a commitment. From campus-wide composting to sun-powered classrooms, the college is digging deep into sustainability with new efforts to divert hundreds of cubic yards of waste from landfills and return it to the soil.
Building on its investment in two large solar arrays—providing nearly 80% of electricity needs for the main Redding campus—Shasta College is now composting both pre-consumer food waste and agricultural waste. The effort, launched in January 2025, diverts an estimated 635 cubic yards (more than 128,000 gallons) of material annually.
“As a teaching college, we lead our students by the example we set,” said Dr. Frank Nigro, Shasta College Superintendent/President. “Showing students how to contribute in a meaningful way to sustainable and economically viable agricultural practices is a role we embrace. Ultimately, taking the college towards a path of lower energy consumption and mitigating our carbon footprint is both fiscally responsible and will help teach our students, to be innovative in how they can positively impact the communities they serve.”
Food scraps from the campus kitchen are collected weekly—up to 60 gallons during the academic year—and composted in affectionately nicknamed “worm bins.” The process yields nearly 2,000 gallons of food waste compost annually.
Meanwhile, the college’s Agriculture and Horticulture departments produce substantial organic waste from livestock barns and plant clippings. With over 625 cubic yards of agricultural waste collected annually, composting this material plays a vital role in soil health on the Shasta College Farm, where students study sustainable ag practices firsthand.
Twice a year, all compost generated is spread on the farm’s fields, turning waste into nourishment—and learning opportunities for students.
Whether through solar power, composting, or hands-on education, Shasta College continues to turn green values into real-world impact.
