Worm Farm In A Can

2004 - Volume #28, Issue #4, Page #40

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Worm Farm In A Can

Growing worms for composting or fish bait is easy with this do-it-yourself kit called Can-O-Worms. It's a multi-layered unit that's only 20 in. in diameter and 30 in. tall, but will hold from 12,000 to 15,000 worms.
"Some people use it to compost table scraps, schools use it to teach recycling and biology, and fishermen use it to produce bait," says Dorothy Benoy, Happy D Ranch.
The roundworm bin consists of three working trays and a bottom collector tray with a tap to drain off liquids. Coconut husk bedding material provided with the unit is placed in the bottom of the first working tray along with dirt or compost and some organic matter. Organisms in this material will begin the composting process, which the worms complete. As the worms consume organic matter and the first tray fills up, a second working tray is added and the process is repeated as the worms migrate up and into the next tray. Once the third working tray is full of compost, the bottom working tray can be emptied of castings, prepared with bedding material and placed on top of the other two.
In addition to Can-O-Worms, Berry sells other worm production and vermin-composting supplies. The price for the bin itself is $109 plus shipping or $149 with 2 lbs. of worms and a complete beginners kit.
"Gardeners buy it as a way to recycle organic waste, and then they use the worm castings in their garden," notes Benoy.
Benoy's website offers a wealth of information on worm production, including tidbits such as: 1 lb. of worms can convert 3 lbs. of waste into castings each week; and red worms double in biomass every 3 to 4 months.
She warns that the biggest danger people run into is overfeeding. "At the beginning, the system's organisms may not be developed enough to convert the food," she says. "This can produce excess heat."
Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Dorothy Benoy, Happy D Ranch, P.O. Box 3001, Visalia, Calif. 93278 (ph 559 738-9301 or 888 989-1558; email: info@happydranch.com; website: happydranch.com ).

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Worm Farm In A Can LIVESTOCK Exotic Animals 28-4-40 Growing worms for composting or fish bait is easy with this do-it-yourself kit called Can-O-Worms. It's a multi-layered unit that's only 20 in. in diameter and 30 in. tall, but will hold from 12,000 to 15,000 worms. "Some people use it to compost table scraps, schools use it to teach recycling and biology, and fishermen use it to produce bait," says Dorothy Benoy, Happy D Ranch. The roundworm bin consists of three working trays and a bottom collector tray with a tap to drain off liquids. Coconut husk bedding material provided with the unit is placed in the bottom of the first working tray along with dirt or compost and some organic matter. Organisms in this material will begin the composting process, which the worms complete. As the worms consume organic matter and the first tray fills up, a second working tray is added and the process is repeated as the worms migrate up and into the next tray. Once the third working tray is full of compost, the bottom working tray can be emptied of castings, prepared with bedding material and placed on top of the other two. In addition to Can-O-Worms, Berry sells other worm production and vermin-composting supplies. The price for the bin itself is $109 plus shipping or $149 with 2 lbs. of worms and a complete beginners kit. "Gardeners buy it as a way to recycle organic waste, and then they use the worm castings in their garden," notes Benoy. Benoy's website offers a wealth of information on worm production, including tidbits such as: 1 lb. of worms can convert 3 lbs. of waste into castings each week; and red worms double in biomass every 3 to 4 months. She warns that the biggest danger people run into is overfeeding. "At the beginning, the system's organisms may not be developed enough to convert the food," she says. "This can produce excess heat." Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Dorothy Benoy, Happy D Ranch, P.O. Box 3001, Visalia, Calif. 93278 (ph 559 738-9301 or 888 989-1558; email: info@happydranch.com; website: happydranch.com ).

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