Meet Phil Kabakoff, Master Composter, photographer and volunteer extraordinaire. Phil grew up being told that he should always compost the grass from mowing his lawn. In 2007 Phil took the Master Composter workshop and learned how to properly mix leaves, water, air and grass to make compost. There he connected with other composting enthusiasts. Through the program, Phil was put in touch with Johnny Presson and the fine folks at the Tierra Verde Golf Course compost site, including Johnny's wonderful wife, Frances.
It didn't take Phil long to form friendships with the other composters at the site and learn how to properly build compost piles. Many times in late fall, Phil and Johnny would drive around in their pickup trucks looking for bags of fall leaves to stockpile for the rest of the year.
During the work day Phil would take 5 gallon buckets to work and keep them in break rooms to collect coffee grounds to use at the Tierra Verde site.
In 2010 Phil was nominated as Volunteer of the Year and continues to devote his time volunteering at the annual Master Composter workshop, Ecofest and numerous other composting events throughout the year. Phil also volunteers for the Arlington Police Department as the Volunteer Coordinator for the North District and is on the Board of Directors of the Arlington Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association. He teaches driver safety classes for AARP and is on the Arlington Citizens Environmental Committee. He also serves as an election judge for the Tarrant County Election Board. He also takes amazing photographs at our events! Now that Phil is retired, it's a wonder how he ever found time to work!
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