In a time of climate control and “going green”, worm farming may be the ultimate in eco-friendly projects. Worm farms are cropping up worldwide as a way for citizens to reduce waste and create pure, organic fertilizers. While worm farms are often recognized for their commercial uses in the fishing industry, many individuals are finding its benefits right at home.

Worm composting, or vermiculture, is a simple process in which worm castings (fecal matter) are harvested and used as organic fertilizer. Starting a worm farm requires very little cost or skill. Ready made worm bins are available for purchase, but most individuals can create their own with only a few basic supplies. Below is a list of items to get started.

• 1 medium sized plastic or wood container.
• Bedding material consisting of dampened newspaper shreds and a small amount of soil.
• Food scraps for disposal, such as egg shells and vegetable products.
• Red Wiggler Worms.

To build the worm bin, simply layer bedding material, soil, and food scraps inside the container and place worms on top. Cover tightly with a lid and keep the container in a darkened room for about two weeks. After two weeks, worms should have multiplied and more scraps can be added for food. Castings from the worms are ready for harvesting when the bedding itself has been decomposed.

To extract castings:

• Remove worms from compost; set to side.
• Place compost into new, air tight containers. This compost is now a high quality fertilizer to be used on plants and in the garden!
• After harvesting, simply begin the worm bin process again with bedding, soil, scraps and worms.

While maintaining a worm farm is virtually effortless, there are a few basic instructions that should be followed to help ensure productivity and sanitation.

• Overfeeding worms can lead to unpleasant odor.
• Too many acidic food scraps can harm or kill worms.
• Don’t use dairy or meat products to feed worms as this will cause odor and unwanted insects.

Worm farming is an excellent way to help the environment and produce a low cost, high quality fertilizer from the convenience of home. Worm farming can also be utilized as a self-employment opportunity. Here are a few distribution ideas for a start-up worm farm:

• Farmer’s Markets are a great place for getting home-made fertilizer into the hands of community members.
• E-bay can be an excellent resource for getting world wide recognition for your fertilizer product.
• Worms harvested as fishing bait can be sold to convenience stores in the area.

From the backyard to offices around the world, worm farms are cropping up everywhere. Many people find that worm farming is a rewarding project that not only offers a great feeling of “doing your part”, but also has the added satisfaction of saving money. Running a worm farm can bring feelings of independence and pride to its owner. If worm farming is of interest, there are unlimited possibilities as to what can be accomplished!