Two New CREF Team Members Propel TMECC Revisions Forward

We’re thrilled to introduce two new team members who will be playing instrumental roles in a major upcoming project here at the Compost Research & Education Foundation. Please join us in welcoming Shelby Hoglund, Ph.D., and Michele Francis, Ph.D., to the CREF community! Together, they will be facilitating much-needed revisions in the Test Methods for the Examination of Composting and Compost (TMECC) that laboratories use throughout the world. 

The TMECC is a critical resource that provides standardized, science-based protocols for evaluating the quality, safety, and maturity of compost and the composting process. By offering consistent testing procedures, TMECC helps ensure that compost products meet environmental and performance standards, making it a trusted guide for compost producers, researchers, regulators, and end-users alike. These methods support transparency, credibility, and comparability across the composting industry – ultimately promoting best practices, protecting soil and plant health, and reinforcing public confidence in compost use. 

As the industry continues to grow, it's essential that TMECC remains a robust, up-to-date, and widely accessible resource. That’s where you come in.

Your donation directly supports the ongoing development, maintenance, and education surrounding TMECC, helping ensure compost producers, researchers, and regulators have access to reliable, science-backed methods.

Dr. Shelby Hoglund is a soil biogeochemist with extensive experience in soil science, composting, and biochar. She began her career in the composting industry as both a hauler and compost producer with UArizona Compost Cats before transitioning to work with Tank's Green Stuff in Tucson, AZ. Dr. Hoglund served as a Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research Fellow, where she investigated the impact of compost and other organic soil amendments on soil health in arid croplands. She led the U.S. Composting Council’s Young Professionals Mentorship Committee for several years, helping young professionals make connections with experts in the composting industry. As a researcher, educator, and consultant, Dr. Hoglund collaborates with compost producers, farmers, and environmental groups to promote effective composting practices and enhance soil health strategies. Recently, she became an active member of the newly formed Arizona Composting Council, where she passionately supports its mission to expand composting practices across the state.

Dr. Michele Francis brings her expertise in soil science to the Compost Research & Education Foundation, where she serves as Assistant TMECC Program Manager for the revision of the Test Methods for the Examination of Composting and Compost. Michele has helped develop standardized protocols for soil carbon management in regenerative agriculture. She has also been extensively involved in research on how land use change impacts soil carbon in forests and in agriculture, and she researches soil carbon storage. With a Ph.D. in soil science and background in environmental geochemistry, Michele’s interest in adding organic matter to soil began with her research on termite mounds in South Africa. 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 are important parts of this soil-carbon cycle. 

The TMECC revisions are a significant step forward in our mission to advance composting through research, education, and advocacy – and with Shelby and Michele on the team, we’re more excited than ever about what’s ahead.