Worm Composting

Vermicomposting WHAT – Process of using worms to recycle organic material and food scraps into worm compost, or vermicompost (vermiculture)

Vermicomposting WHY Advantages Easy to do year-round SEVEN times richer in nutrients than regular compost No turning, no odor, & little watering – worms do the work Benefits Environmental Economic Soil health Plant growth and vigor Fun and educational

Vermicomposting WHERE – Almost anywhere Indoors, Outdoors Dark, Warm, Moist, Ventilated

Vermicomposting HOW Aerated container Bedding such as shredded newspaper Moisture and proper temperature Small amount of soil Redworms & food waste

Vermicomposting in Action Aerated Container – Worm Bin

Vermicomposting in Action Bedding

Vermicomposting in Action Moisture & Temperature

Vermicomposting in Action Starter Soil & Redworms

Vermicomposting in Action Redworms (Eisenia foetidaie & Lumbricus rubellus) Live in the top 12 inches of soil Feed on organic decaying matter Can eat their body weight in food every day Generate 75% of body weight in worm poop (castings) each day Lay one cocoon every week or so Each cocoon produces 3 to 4 baby worms Begin breeding at 4 to 6 weeks of age Worms can double population every 90 days Live up to 2 years

Vermicomposting in Action Food Waste YES Most fruits and veggies Coffee grounds and filters Tea leaves and bags Egg shells Most cereals and grains (oatmeal, pasta, rice, cornmeal, pancakes, breads) MAYBE Onions Garlic Ginger

Vermicomposting in Action Food Waste NO Meat, fish, dairy, oil, or bones Potato chips, candy, oils Citrus NO-NO's Plastic Rubber bands Sponges Aluminum foil Glass

Vermicomposting in Action Harvesting Vermicompost

Vermicomposting in Action How to Use Vermicompost Excellent fertilizer; will not burn plants Use as mulch or soil conditioner in home garden Use in potting soil mixes for houseplants Use as top dressing for lawns Combine with potting soil mixes and use as medium for starting young seedlings

Vermicomposting in Action Compost Tea Liquid produced from vermicomposting Protects plants from disease Improves nutrient retention Decomposes harmful chemicals Transforms compacted soil into healthy soil Reduces water usage Decreases run-off and leaching

Composting vs. Landfilling Some Numbers to Consider Food and yard waste account for at least 25% of landfill materials AA dining halls generate 700 pounds food waste each week 12% of total greenhouse gas emissions generated from growing, preparing, and shipping food Eating 1 pound of food daily generates 1.5 tons of carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) annually CO 2 impact from edible food waste per person equates to taking 1 to 4 cars off the road CO 2, methane (CH 4 ), and nitrous oxide (N 2 O) generated as organic waste decays in landfills CH 4 21 times worse and N 2 O 300 times worse than CO 2 Proper composting minimizes greenhouse gas emissions and extends life of landfills by saving space

Q & A Prize Patrol TRUE or FALSE Redworms consume almost all types of waste, including bones, glass, and plastic

Q & A Prize Patrol TRUE or FALSE If you can’t find redworms, use earthworms in your worm bin

Q & A Prize Patrol TRUE or FALSE Besides being beneficial to plants and the soil, compost tea can be applied to the scalp to reverse male pattern baldness

Q & A Prize Patrol TRUE or FALSE On average, weekly food waste from the AA dining halls exceeds 350 pounds

Q & A Prize Patrol Worm bins should be constructed so that the sides of the container are: Less than 3 inches high Exactly 5 inches high Between 8 and 12 inches high More than 12 inches high

Q & A Prize Patrol You need about ?? square feet of floor space in your bin for every 1 pound of food waste 6 Square Feet Exactly Square Feet 1 Square Foot Since when are square?