Michele Francis

TMECC Associate Program Manager
michelefrancis@compostfoundation.org
(833) 812-2733

Michele Francis brings her expertise in soil science to the Compost Research Council, where she serves as Associate TMECC Program Manager for the revision of the Test Methods for the Examination of Composting and Compost. She also holds a position as Associate Professor (Extraordinary) at her alma mater, Stellenbosch University in South Africa, and serves as Expert Scientist on the Executive Committee of the Ormex greenhouse gas emissions standard for regenerative agriculture.

With a Ph.D. in Soil Science and background in environmental geochemistry and soil and groundwater salinity, Michele’s interest in adding organic matter to soil began with her research on termite mounds in South Africa (the oldest in the world!). Termites bioengineer soil by adding organic matter and aerating the soil. This improves soil on all measurable metrics. Michele aims to educate and encourage people to recycle organic matter back to the soil. Compost and composting is an important part of this soil carbon cycle.