Elkhart County recognizes leaf‑composting competition winners and promotes county compost program

Elkhart County solid waste staff recognized local teams for their participation in the county’s seven‑year leaf collection competition and described how the landfill uses collected leaves in compost and topsoil production.

John Bowers, director of solid waste, introduced Sue Myers, who said the program has collected 1,247 tons of leaves over seven years and that the 2025 competition ran Oct. 6–Dec. 5 with $50,000 available for prizes. Teams that bring in at least one ton are guaranteed a $500 minimum payment.

Myers announced the top three teams for 2025: Prairie Camp (Ben and Laurie) collected 60 tons for first place; Leaf Her Light (Joe) collected 19 tons for second; and Sunnyside Missionary/Mennonite Church (Armin) collected 5 tons for third. The county uses accepted leaves in a compost pile; after about a year the material is used as topsoil for site work at the landfill.