Few things give us as much simple pleasure as the pure power of compost. We find that the process of cutting down on our trash bags - both in quantity and aroma - is addictive, to say the least. So we aren't surprised to hear of Alexander's passion for it, but we do find plenty of unique humor, insight and inspiration in his story.
When did you know that you wanted to work in food?
The summer between my junior and senior years of college, I attended an agricultural/environmental program in The Catskills called Eco Practicum. Prior to this experience, I was interested in sustainable urban development, but being exposed to the rural landscape, visiting a multitude of different farms and seeing people's drive and commitment to their 'food job' was truly inspiring - I knew I had to do something similar.
How did you get your current good food job?
The story of how I came to the helm of Blue Earth Compost, Inc. is pretty straightforward, yet fortuitous. Upon returning to Connecticut after graduation, I searched high and low for entities involved in the farming/composting sector. After some months, I stumbled upon an article on Blue Earth and immediately contacted the previous owner, Susannah Castle, as I knew this was something with which I needed to be involved. At the time, Sus was not able to bring on any employees, so I began volunteering and learning the nuts and bolts of the company. Several months passed and, out of nowhere, Sus asked if I was interested in purchasing the company since her husband's job was relocating. I jumped on the opportunity and the last year has been awesome.
A quick shout out to Sus for everything - kill it in LA!
How did your previous work or life experience prepare you for a good food job?
Thankfully, my previous work experience fits directly into what I do now. In college, I interned at Build It Green! Compost in Queens, NY. At BIG!, I learned everything about the community composting process, from collection to transportation to processing to distribution. This experience definitely propelled me to where I am today and I have no doubt that without it, I wouldn't be nearly as successful.
What was the greatest obstacle you had to overcome in pursuing your good food job dream?
The obstacles were numerous, but none too difficult to overcome. When I returned to Connecticut, the biggest obstacle I faced was a lack of a network or contacts. Since I went to school in NYC, I didn't have the chance to build up a professional network in Hartford. This problem was initially discouraging and frustrating because I was basically trying to find my way in the dark - I didn't have any direction.
I definitely considered calling it quits in the fall of 2013 - get a regular desk job and move on, that sort of thing. Thankfully, around that time, I got some of the best advice of my professional career, and I love to pass this on. My Ma told me to just contact people in the industry. Don't apply to random jobs, don't grasp at straws just to be continuously shutdown and discouraged. Go talk to people and find out how they made their way and paved their path. Utilizing this advice, I was able to make connections and form that network, and it got me to the job I have today.
Name one thing that a former employer taught you that you continue to appreciate?
Again, the only person I can think about when reading this question is Blue Earth's previous owner, Susannah Castle. From the first time we met, she understood my passion for this work and gave me the opportunity to implement that passion in a real world setting. Without her belief, I would not be achieving the goals I am today. As Blue Earth grows and adds more volunteers/interns/employees, I will always remember the initial belief she had in me, and do my best to pass that on down the line.
What can you identify as the greatest opportunities in food right now?
This answer might be a cop out but I believe organic recycling is the greatest opportunity in food right now. Most of the readers of this post have already heard the numbers - 40% of food is wasted in the US, landfills are the single highest producer of methane emissions and yet, only around 3% of organic waste is recycled in this country. The growth potential for companies working to solve this problem is immense, and it's what drives me to grow Blue Earth on a daily basis.
If you could be compensated for your work with something other than money, what would it be?
I already am compensated with something other than money: every week I get to see literal tons of food scraps go to the compost facility and not the incinerator. Some may not understand this feeling, but, for me, dumping a disgusting mixture of half-rotten, foul smelling food onto a bed of finished compost is the best feeling. It truly puts my mind at ease to know that those scraps will not be burned and will instead be returned to someone's garden bed or landscaping.