Interested in learning more about composting food scraps and yard waste? A free Backyard Composting Workshop, led by the University of California Master Gardeners, will be held March 28 at the Minami Community Center, 600 W. Enos Drive, Santa Maria.

The workshop will be offered twice on March 28, 10 a.m.-noon and 1-3 p.m. It is open to residents of Santa Maria and the unincorporated county.

Space is limited to 50 participants per workshop and registration is required at bit.ly/BackyardCompostingWorkshop.

Participants will learn about the different ways to set up backyard composting systems.

Attendees are eligible to receive a complimentary Earth Machine to apply their new composting knowledge in their own backyard (one voucher provided per household).

The workshop and Earth Machines are provided through funding from CalRecycle and the Santa Barbara Regional RMDZ program.

The event is a collaboration between the Santa Maria Utilities Department, Santa Barbara County Public Works Department, Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce, and local UC Master Gardeners.

Direct questions to the Utilities Department, 805-925-0951 ext. 7270.