Vermiculture

Basic information about what vermiculture is, how to start a worm bin in your home, some facts about the vermicuture business, worms in art, music, poetry and culture and websites

1. Vermiculture A Dark and Creepy Business Coming to Light!

2. Background Composting method throughout the year Production of organic fertilizer Aid to aerate garden soil Production of fish bait

3. Compost Special worms Redworms ( Lumbricus rubellus ) Red Wigglers ( Eisenia fetida ) Red Tiger ( Eisenia andrei ) Nightcrawlers ( Lumbricus terrestris ) Also great fish bait

4. Worm Bins Types Commercial—often multi-layered Commercial—automated Homemade bins Coolers Styrofoam chests Old refrigerators Plastic storage bins

5. Worms H ow many will fit your needs What type(s ) will thrive? Temperature fluctuations during year Depth of bin and bedding Feeding: compost or worm food? Ratio of compost to number of worms needed

6. Problems Improper bedding Unpalpable food Unsuitable temperatures Flies and other nasty visitors Worm deaths Odor

7. Commercial Home Ventures Sell worms themselves Composters and bait Sell castings Sell worm tea Partner with businesses to recycle Vermicomposter Consultant Partner with landscapers

8. Worms in Art, Music, Poetry and Cultural Practices Walt Whitman “This Compost” Pink Floyd “Waiting for the Worms” Cathedral “Enter the Worms” Theatre of Ice “Gone with the Worms” Use of worms as watercolor paintbrushes Worm Grunting

9. Worm Recipes Important and cheap source of protein Worm’n’Apple Cake Vermicelli with Earthworm Meatballs Chinese Worm Skillet Dish Earthworm Scramble Caramel Earthworm Brownies Earthworm Meatloaf

10. Vermiculture Websites Unco Industries: www.vermiculture.com Uncle Jim’s Worm Farm: www.unclejim.com Google search on “ vermicultue ”

11. Burlap and Desiccated Leaves

12. Styrofoam and Plastic Worm Bins

13. Kitchen Scrap Collection

14. Success!

15. Worms in garden