Jeffrey P. Gage developed a large percentage of the composting infrastructure in the Pacific Northwest over the past 38 years. Established the Tilth Alliance Master Composter program, established land use codes for composting in King County, designed and permitted Cedar Grove Compost in Maple Valley, performed pathogen research on the public safety of composted zoo manures. Established the Legislative imperative in the Waste Not Washington Act for the Clean Washington Center and the state’s explicit support for developing compost markets. Designed and piloted the curbside recycling collection program for Pierce County. Designed, built and operated the Pierce County Compost Facility which received an Environmental Excellence Award from U.S. Conference of Mayors. Fought with other composters the State Compost Quality regulations, and formed the Washington Organic Recycling Council (WORC) all within his first 5 years in the nascent compost industry.
Jeff continued to serve his community as President of WORC for 6 years, board member of the US Composting Council Board for 7 years, The Tahoma Food System board and president for 3 years. and represented WORC on the State Fertilizer Advisory Committee to help establish marketing claims for compost soil amendments. He led the charge against Dow Agrosciences on the public use of Clopyralid on lawns and was a prime developer of the Soils for Salmon campaign resulting in establishing post construction soil standards in Puget Sound. Collaborative training has always been his primary focus and has helped develop WORC’s and the USCC’s operator training programs.