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Worm or vermiculture is a useful technique for recycling kitchen and livestock wastes into a rich organic fertilizer, for producing high-protein feed for poultry and initiating a lucrative business selling worms and worm castings for the small farm. Worms are invaluable partners in building the soil in your garden, be it a kitchen or dooryard garden or a large market garden.

In the garden, healthy soil is essential for the production of healthy crops, and healthy soil requires a good quantity of organic matter. Organic matter can be added to the soil from a number of sources (See ECHO Tech Notes, Compost and Mulch for Healthy Soil, Green Manure Cover Crops and Soil Fertility) It is essentially comprised of decomposed plant and animal wastes, and these wastes are ideal for feeding and maintaining the “living” or biological portion of the soil and giving it good “health.”



  1. Key Resource 2010-08-01 Worm or vermiculture is a useful technique for recycling kitchen and livestock wastes into a rich organic fertilizer, for producing high-protein feed for poultry and initiating a lucrative business selling worms and worm castings for the small farm. Worms are invaluable partners in building the...
  2. Introduction to Vermiculture There are over 6,000 species of worms in the world, many of them not even named or studied. However, the farmer is interested in two main categories of earthworms, namely “deep burrowers” and “surface dwellers”. Deep burrowers include the common garden worm or...
  3. Introduction to Vermiculture There are over 6,000 species of worms in the world, many of them not even named or studied. However, the farmer is interested in two main categories of earthworms, namely “deep burrowers” and “surface dwellers”. Deep burrowers include the common garden worm or...
  4. Abstract, Technology and Investment (Researchgate), 2010 Vermiculture technology is emerging as an “environmentally sustainable”, “economically viable” and “socially acceptable” technology all over the world. 1) Vermi-composting Technology (to manage most organic wastes); 2) Vermi-filtration...
  5. Managing piggery solid waste is often a challenge for pig farmers. It can be difficult to dispose of pig manure and effluent sludge in an environmentally friendly way. Worm farming can be an effective method of processing piggery waste and converting it into worm compost, which is a useful and...
  6. 1983-01-01 This publication discusses the raising of worms, how to market, and how to breed.
  7. This site is about vermicomposting flush toilets – on-site processing of domestic sewage with worms. These aren’t the first vermicomposting sewage systems by any means, but they’re the first (to our knowledge) to be based on open source principles with non-proprietary technology and low cost...
  8. Organisms interact and establish themselves in the ecosystem through population. Population is the assemblage of individuals belonging to a particular species. Population biology provides the first basic information about any species and is regulated by both abiotic and biotic factors. Earthworms...
  9. Abstract,International Journal of Environment, 2017 Effective clearance of different types of waste has become significant to sustain healthy environment. Vermicomposting has become a suitable substitute for the safe, hygienic and cost effective disposal of organic solid wastes. Earthworms...
  10. Processes The worms are harvested using several different methods. Organic material (grass, etc.) can be layed on the ground and the worms come out of the ground and lay under the organic material which can then be rotated and the worms can be collected. Soil that are rich in worms can be...
  11. The worms are harvested using several different methods. Organic material (grass, etc.) can be layed on the ground and the worms come out of the ground and lay under the organic material which can then be rotated and the worms can be collected. Soil that are rich in worms can be screened to...
  12. Brochure Worms you buy from a worm farm or supplier are generally either Red Wiggler Worms, Eisenia fetida, or European Night Crawlers, Eisenia hortensis. But many worms are called Composting Worms. The Red Wiggler, Eisenia fetida, is best as is lives in the top 18” of the soil and eats 1/2 its...
  13. 2020-01-01 Vermicompost contains significant numbers of biological organisms capable of suppressing plant diseases on leaf surfaces. This study, done at ECHO in southwest Florida during the spring of 2011, was conducted to evaluate the potential of foliar-applied vermicompost teas for plant disease...
  14. Benefits 1. Efficient recycling of clean vegetable residues. 2. Feed and multiply earthworms to populate a garden area of up to 1000 sq. ft. (32’ X 32’). 3. Protect young worms from animal predators. 4. Worm numbers per bed increased 25 fold, over 6 months at ECHO in N. Fort Meyers, FL. 5....
  15. 2013-02-20
  16. 2009-07-20 Worms can be a lucrative and,beneficial addition to a small-scale farming operation. Several times in recent issues of EDN we have mentioned the value of compost. Here we report on the rapid production of compost using worms. Worm-produced compost, also called vermicompost, can be used in gardens...
  17. 2017-01-20 Using worms to create Living Soil results in : Nutrition: Delicious, nutrient-rich plants. Vitality: Plants growing in living soils are inherently stronger and need less protection, allowing low input food production methods to be used. Drought tolerance: Nutrients are in colloidal states rather...
  18. Using worms to create Living Soil results in : Nutrition: Delicious, nutrient-rich plants. Vitality: Plants growing in living soils are inherently stronger and need less protection, allowing low input food production methods to be used. Drought tolerance: Nutrients are in colloidal states rather...
  19. Key Resource 1977-01-01 This complete and informative text tells exactly how to get started in this fascinating and profitable vermiculture business.
  20. Key Resource 1982-01-01 The definitive guide to vermicomposting-a process using redworms to recycle food waste into nutrient-rich food for plants. Newly revised and updated, this 162 page manual provides complete illustrated instructions on setting up and maintaining small-scale worm composting systems. Topics include...
  21. Key Resource 1998-03-01 Worms are the latest (as well as, of course, perhaps the oldest!) trend in earth-friendly gardening, and in this handy guide, the authors of DEAD SNAILS LEAVE NO TRAILS demystify the world of worm wrangling, with everything you need to know to build your own worm bin, make your garden...
  22. As a part of the "Agriculture Strategies" series, this talk provides an overview and technical information related to vermiculture.
  23. University of Maine Cooperative Extension educator Marjorie Peronto discusses the benefits and best methods of worm composting. Excellent information on using worms to make good stuff for your garden.
  24. ABSTRACT - Journal of Composting Science and Utilization, 2017 Earthworm digested wastes (vermicompost) are being produced in increasing quantities to make farming sustainable. A study was carried out for two consecutive years (2007–09) at the Agricultural Experimental Farm of Indian Statistical...
  25. Access Agriculture Training Video Earthworm compost can increase soil fertility and help increase the production of vegetables in poor and salty soils. Here we will learn about a fast and easy way to make earthworm compost on a small piece of land. Available languages Arabic AtesoAymara Bambara...
  26. 1980-01-06 Since 1973, Storey's Country Wisdom Bulletins have offered practical, hands-on instructions designed to help readers master dozens of country living skills quickly and easily. There are now more than 170 titles in this series, and their remarkable popularity reflects the common desire of country...
  27. Key Resource 1975-01-01 This complete and informative text tells exactly how to get started in in the vermiculture business.
  28. 2018-11-08 Turning waste into wealth sounds too good to be true, but many worm farmers are finding that vermicomposting is a reliable way to do just that. Vermicast―a biologically active, nutrient-rich mix of earthworm castings and decomposed organic matter―sells for $400 or more per cubic yard. Compare...
  29. Convener J. Biala Editors J. Biala, R. Prange, M. Raviv Publication date 25 January 2014 ISBN 978-94-62610-04-0 ISSN 0567-7572(print) 2406-6168(electronic) Number of articles 76 Volumes 1 Place Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
  30. Access Agriculture Training Video Vermiwash is the liquid that is collected after water passes through compost made by earthworms. It is rich in plant growth hormones, micro-nutrients, and major nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium. Available languages Arabic Bambara Bariba Bemba...
  31. Access Agriculture Training Video With empty fertilizer bags you can sew a container. Place layers of decomposable material in the container and water it. Put the earthworms in after one week. Cover the top of the bed with gunny bags and water it regularly. Make sure the compost is shaded from...
  32. Document Reference: Munroe, Glenn. (2007). Manual of On-Farm Vermicomposting and Vermiculture. Org Agric Centre of Canada. This document includes information regarding the difference between vermiculture and vermicomposting, the five worm essentials, basic types of vericulture systems, and much...