Episode 210. Harnessing the Power of Worms in Composting
Not all superheroes wear capes, and that includes worms. In this episode of Voices from the Field, Nina Prater, sustainable agriculture specialist in the NCAT Southeast office in Fayetteville, Arkansas, talks with Matt Casteel, owner of Wurmworks, a composting business in Jackson, Mississippi.
The two take a closer look at worms as composting superheroes. Casteel explains how to identify “good” compost, the ins-and-outs of worm composting, why compost is so good for soil health, and how composting can put food waste to good use.
ATTRA Resources:
Worms for Bait or Waste Processing
Managing Soils for Water: How Five Principles of Soil Health Support Water Infiltration and Storage
Worms for Bait of Waste Processing (Vermicomposting)
Other Resources:
Dr. Norman Arancon, University Hawaii
Chris Trump (Korean) Natural Farming
Labs that perform compost bioassay:
Small Labs –
https://catalystbioamendments.com
https://www.crescivesoil.org/
Big Labs –
https://midwestbiosystems.com/services/
https://www.blinc.com/services/agriculture-analysis/manure-and-compost-analysis
Sources for Worms:
http://txwormranch.com/
https://www.texaswormfarm.com/
https://www.wormcastings.biz/
https://unclejimswormfarm.com/
Contact Nina Prater via email at ninap@ncat.org.
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