Kapil Arora
field agricultural engineer, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, Ames, IA

Dr. Kapil Arora is field agricultural engineer for Iowa State University Extension and Outreach with expertise in composting, water quality, and environmental regulations. Kapil received has Master’s and his Ph.D. from Iowa State University. Kapil has developed a composting operation at Iowa State University which composts about 10,000 tons annually. Kapil has conducted Midwest Compost School in Iowa in the past and has taught at several compost schools. He will also educate participants on different aspects of composting and compost science.

Tom Halbach
extension professor emeritus, Soil, Water and Climate, University of Minnesota, St Paul, MN

Tom Halbach is retired extension state specialist from the University of Minnesota with expertise in Waste Management and Water Quality. Tom’s research and education interests have included the beneficial utilization of waste materials in agriculture, forestry, horticulture, and mineland reclamation. Tom has conducted and successfully taught at the Midwest Composting School for several decades. Tom’s expertise in waste management and water quality puts him in demand worldwide as he continues to work with many types of wastes, from ash and cement to food and refuse.

Rob Michitsch
professor, Soil and Waste Resources, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, Stevens Point, WI

Dr. Rob Michitsch is a Professor in the Soil and Waste Resources Discipline at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point where he teaches classes in the soil and waste resource areas, focusing on soil/plant analysis, nutrient management, composting, and waste resources topics. Rob’s current research interests include the compostability of plastics and polymers, compost microbiology, the breakdown of fluoropolymers, waste re-use, soil fertility, septage characterization and composting to eradicate Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) prions. Rob's role will be to provide expertise on composting science in the school. He will be a lead instructor in the delivery of the Midwest Composting School 2023.

Alex Thomas

Alex Thomas is an independent consultant with several years of experience in composting and compost science. He received his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees focused in Biology and Waste Management from University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. Alex is an experienced environmental and sustainability advocate with a demonstrated history of working in the composting industry. Alex will be an instructor at the Midwest Compost School 2023 and will teach participants on different aspects of compost facility operations.

Paul Walker
professor emeritus, Illinois State University

Dr. Paul Walker, professor emeritus, Illinois State University now works with Department of Agriculture in Illinois. As a member of the Council of the Applied Science and Technology, Paul works on projects involving composting and recycling of livestock and urban wastes as value-added co- products. Paul has conducted several workshops and field days in Illinois on how to develop and refine compost management strategies for using variable wastes, and transfer of composting technology to stakeholders. He has taught at several Midwest Compost School offerings in the past in Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin. He will be one of the lead instructors and will teach participants of Midwest Composting School about designer compost concepts and science.