Several years ago I was introduced to vermicomposting, composting year round (indoors, in my case) with red wiggler worms, Eisenia fetida. I quickly became a huge fan. Why? Several reasons…
- My vegetable garden loves the organic fertilzer they produce. My plants were healthier, required less watering and grew much bigger and faster.
- I have reduced our household waste to probably 25% of what it used to be. Now that we compost junk mail, coffee grounds, dryer lint, food waste (no meat or dairy though), vacuum bag contents, fallen leaves… there’s not much left to throw away.
- It’s fun–and a little bit addictive.
Last year I hosted a few workshops to show others how to start their own compost bins and have sold worms to several people as well.
For those who don’t wish to hop on the vermicompost wagon for one reason or another, I have begun to make worm compost tea bags. Nope, you don’t drink the tea–it’s for your plants! I started selling them at the Valparaiso Farmer’s Market in late fall 2013 and hope to expand production in 2014.
A set of three bags retails for $5. Each bag can be steeped in water to make one gallon of high quality liquid organic fertilizer. Nonprofits can purchase bags in bulk for just $3/kit and sell them as a fundraiser.
I am currently seeking educational partners who are interested in developing vermicomposting as part of their classroom curriculum and would also like to partner with nonprofit organizations who wish to apply for grant funding to expand this program.
Want to know more? Please email me with questions/ideas.