The worm farmer's handbook : mid- to large-scale vermicomposting for farms, businesses, municipalities, schools, and Institutions

Choice Reviews , Outstanding Academic Title Techniques and systems for processing food scraps, manure, yard debris, paper, and more 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 that to regular compost, sold at about $30 a cubic yard, and you'll see why vermicomposting has taken root in most countries and on every continent but Antarctica. Vermicomposting is also one of the best sustainable solutions for organic waste management. Vermicomposting manure and crop wastes on farms improves crop yields while reducing demand for off-farm inputs. Vermicast has higher nutrient levels and lower soluble salt content than regular compost, and it improves soil aeration, porosity, and water retention. Plus, vermicast suppresses plant diseases and insect attacks. Municipalities, businesses, community gardens, schools, and universities can set up vermicomposting operations to process food residuals and other waste materials. The Worm Farmer's Handbook details the ins and outs of vermicomposting for mid- to large-scale operations, including how to recycle organic materials ranging from food wastes and yard trimmings to manure and shredded office paper. Vermicomposting expert Rhonda Sherman shares what she has learned over twenty-five years working with commercial worm growers and researchers around the world. Her profiles of successful worm growers across the United States and from New Zealand to the Middle East and Europe describe their proven methods and systems. This book digs into all the details, including: Choosing the right production system Regulatory issues and developing a business and marketing plan Finding and managing feedstocks Pre-composting: why and how to do it Monitoring an active worm bed Harvesting, screening, testing, packaging, and storing vermicast Markets for earthworms and vermicast Food security: how vermicast benefits soils and plants Keys to success: avoiding common pitfalls From livestock farms and restaurants to colleges, military bases, and prisons, Sherman details why and how commercial-scale vermicomposting is a fast-growing, sustainable solution for organic waste management. The Worm Farmer's Handbook is the first and only authoritative how-to guide that goes beyond small-scale operations and demystifies the science and logistics of the fascinating process that is vermicomposting. Intro Praise for The Worm Farmer's Handbook Title Page Copyright Dedication Contents Introduction 1. Why Venture into Vermicomposting? Vermicomposting, Vermicast, and Compost Vermiculture Versus Vermicomposting A Bit of Vermicomposting History Who Is Vermicomposting Today? Markets for Earthworms Markets for Vermicast Earthworm-Related Commerce 2. How Vermicast Benefits Soils and Plants What Is Vermicast? Vermicast Versus Compost Characteristics of Vermicast Vermicast Effects on Soils Vermicast Effects on Plant Growth Arthropod Pest Control. Plant Pathogen (Disease) ControlPlant Parasitic Nematode Control 3. Key Things to Know About Earthworms Anatomy and Physiology Basics Amazing Earthworm Facts Ecological Groups and Species Earthworm Reproduction Earthworm Needs for Vermicomposting 4. Planning for Success Check State and Local Regulations Prepare a Business Plan Develop a Marketing Plan Education as a Component of Marketing Create a Promotional Plan What to Avoid: Why Operations Fail 5. Designing Your Vermicomposting Setup Parameters for Choosing a System Space Requirements Types of Vermi-Systems. Covering the BedAccessing the Worm Bed 6. Vermicomposting Basics Bedding Options and Preparation Adding Earthworms to Your Vermi-System Utility Needs Safety 7. Earthworm Feeds and Feeding Methods Feedstock Options Developing a Feedstock Recipe Processing Feedstocks Testing New Feedstocks Worm Feed Characteristics Pre-Composting Feedstocks Feeding Schedule Applying Feedstocks to the Bed 8. Monitoring Your Worm Bed Environment The Daily Inspection Moisture Control Temperature Control Lighting Earthworm Predators or Annoyances Troubleshooting Worm Bed Conditions. Recording Observations9. Harvesting and Post-Harvest Practices Manual Earthworm Removal Vermicast Harvesting Packaging and Shipping Earthworms Vermicast: Quality, Stability, and Maturity of Product Product Labeling Tea or Aqueous Extracts 10. Vermicomposting Operations Around the World Resources Notes Bibliography About the Author. **__Choice Reviews__****Techniques and systems for processing food scraps, manure, yard debris, paper, and more**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 that to regular compost, sold at about $30 a cubic yard, and you'll see why vermicomposting has taken root in most countries and on every continent but Antarctica.Vermicomposting is also one of the best sustainable solutions for organic waste management. Vermicomposting manure and crop wastes on farms improves crop yields while reducing demand for off-farm inputs. Vermicast has higher nutrient levels and lower soluble salt content than regular compost, and it improves soil aeration, porosity, and water retention. Plus, vermicast suppresses plant diseases and insect attacks. Municipalities, businesses, community gardens, schools, and universities can set up vermicomposting operations to process food residuals and other waste materials.__The Worm Farmer's Handbook__This book digs into all the details, including:Choosing the right production systemRegulatory issues and developing a business and marketing planFinding and managing feedstocksPre-composting: why and how to do itMonitoring an active worm bedHarvesting, screening, testing, packaging, and storing vermicastMarkets for earthworms and vermicastFood security: how vermicast benefits soils and plantsKeys to success: avoiding common pitfallsFrom livestock farms and restaurants to colleges, military bases, and prisons, Sherman details why and how commercial-scale vermicomposting is a fast-growing, sustainable solution for organic waste management. is the first and only authoritative how-to guide that goes beyond small-scale operations and demystifies the science and logistics of the fascinating process that is vermicomposting.