1. Vermicomposting Presentation by MacKenzie Nold and Jessica Connell
from
Keep Greater Milwaukee Beautiful

2. What is Vermicomposting?
The use of earthworms to aerate soil and convert organic matter into compost.
What is Compost?

3. Composting Decomposition of plants and other once-living material.
Nature’s Recycling process

4. What about the Worms? What do we already know about worms?
Where do they live?
What do they eat?
What do they have to do with composting?

5. Let’s see if you’re right… The Truth about Red Worms
Red Worms live in the soil.
Red Worms are decomposers that break down organic material into rich soil that is full of nutrients.
What do they eat? Organic Material?
Potato peelings, carrots, lettuce, cabbage, celery, apple peelings, banana peels, orange rinds, grapefruit, cornmeal, oatmeal, crushed eggshells, coffee grounds with the filter, tea bags…

6. Worms and Composting
Worms help to deliver Nutrients and Vitamins to the soil by eating organic material and breaking it down into rich Compost.
Worms Aerate the soil as they make their way through the land.
Aerate = Worms tunnel through the soil which allows air to circulate through the soil.
Why is it important for air to circulate through the soil?
DECOMPOSTITION requires AIR!
Breaking things down!

7. Let’s take a closer look at how Worms tunnel through soil…
Take a look at the Worm-Tunnel Jar!
What do you see?
Why is this good for the soil?

8. Parts of a Worm Worms are broken up into Segments.
Adult worms have segments.
Worms have Setae on each segment.
Setae are tiny hairs that allow the worm to feel and move through the soil.
WORM PARTS ACTIVITY and WORKSHEET

9. Fun Worm Facts Worms have No Arms, Legs, or Eyes.
There are over 2,700 kinds of Earthworms.
In One Acre of Land, there can be over 1 million Earthworms!
The largest earthworm ever found was in South Africa and measured 22 feet from its nose to the tip of its tail.
Worms are Cold-blooded animals.
Worms can grow a new tail, but not grow a new head if they are cut off.
If a worm’s skin dries out, it will die.

10. Making your own Vermicomposter
What do you need?
Two Plastic Bins
One Lid for the Bins
Soil
A few dozen Red Worms to begin with
Left over food for your worms!
Fruit, veggies, coffee grounds
Newspaper
Water to spray in the Vermicomposter to keep it moist, but NOT WET.
A tool to poke holes into the Lid.

11. Let’s do it Together!

12. Things to Remember!
What types of food should you NOT put in your vermicomposter?
Meat, Bones, Fatty Food Wastes, Chemically treated Woods and Plants, Human or Pet Waste…
Keep the Soil MOIST but NOT WET.
Feed your worms in certain sections.
Change sections each week to get the worms to move throughout the ENTIRE bin.
Worms are not gross or dangerous, they help to create the soil that is great for our gardens and crops!