Reuben Jahn - Master Composter Extraordinaire.

Saskatchewan's oldest Master Composter, and one of the most active, Reuben Jahn has spent most of his 91 years in the Estevan area When he retired from business in 1975, Reuben moved to an acreage. His keen interest in gardening led him to attend an SWRC composting workshop in Estevan in 1993. There, Dan Swerhone (then with SWRC) recruited him to be trained as one of the province's first Master Composters.

When Reuben and his wife moved to an apartment in 1994, he started using worms to handle their food waste. Since then, Reuben has become an expert on vermicomposting (composting with worms). He has studied different bins and has a couple of "Can of Worms", bins on the go. An avid promoter of composting, Reuben is always recruiting others to take up composting and to work with him. He says one of his best achievements was working with youths to make 20 compost bins. He had to work hard to sell those bins, he twisted a few arms, but they all sold.

Reuben participated in the Building Bridges Healthy Community Project in 1994, talking to school groups in Wapella, Moosomin, Rocanville, Maryfield and Wawota. He has since talked to school groups in Estevan, and Weyburn, and has helped schools set up worm composting programs. Reuben has held talks at the local library, and set up displays in the Mall. He convinced the City of Estevan and SaskPower to help him develop a new composting display unit.

Reuben's efforts led to a worm composting project at the day hospital in Estevan. He also helped the Boundary Dam Power Station to set up a worm composting system for their workplace food wastes.

Reuben is still working to get the City of Estevan to start large scale composting. He decided that the best way to judge a candidate for the recent municipal election was to find out if they compost—now there's an out-of-the-ordinary question for candidates!

Reuben has amazing energy. As well as being a compost educator, he curls twice a week with the Senior Men's League, and is a regular volunteer with both the day hospital and the long-term care hospital.

We are very proud of Reuben's contribution to composting in Saskatchewan and wish him well.

(Source: December 2000 WasteWatch)

Long-time SWRC Supporter Passes Away

Reuben Jahn of Estevan passed away August 12, 2006. Rueben was a Master Composter and long-time SWRC supporter. He was 97.

When he retired from business in 1975, Reuben moved to an acreage. His keen interest in gardening led him to attend an SWRC composting workshop in 1993, where he was recruited to be trained as one of the province’s first Master Composters.

When Reuben and his wife moved to an apartment in 1994, he started using worms to handle their food waste and became an expert on vermicomposting. Reuben gave numerous presentations to classrooms on worm composting and assisted the nearby Shand Power Station to set up vermicomposting for their lunchroom wastes.

Reuben never stopped encouraging the City of Estevan to consider composting and waste reduction programs. He was a faithful SWRC member and correspondent, whether updating us on his activities or asking specific waste questions. We will miss him.

(Source: WasteWatch Sept. 2006)

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