Food Composting with Worms?

Here's the Scoop!

Did you know that worms are nature's recyclers? Vermicomposting is the process of composting food waste with worms. One pound of worms can turn 65 pounds of garbage into garden compost in 100 days. This result often referred to as “black gold,” is considered one of the best fertilizers for vegetables and other potted plants. Worm composting reduces garbage entering landfills and improves garden soils while providing families with a fun and rewarding activity that you can do at home. According to Alex Burbach, Extension Program Coordinator, “Vermicomposting is a great way for the youth of all ages to gain knowledge about the composting process, to see how we can recycle certain food waste, that in turn puts nutrients back into the soil to nurture plants that we can then consume for nutrients again.”

The Jo Daviess County Extension office will offer vermicomposting kits to ANY youth in the county, free of charge. 4-H membership is not required to participate. Common garden worms are not the best for the job, so your kit will include live worms that will be perfect for your vermicomposting bins! Each kit will include a container, bedding, compost, worms, food scraps, and educational material to help you get started. Angela Miller, Program Coordinator 4-H Youth Development, says, “Vermicomposting is easy, good for the environment, plants, and fun. This is a great way for parents or guardians to introduce the idea of environmental stewardship to their children.”

The deadline to register is February 15. Kits may be picked up by visiting the Extension office at 204 Vine St., Elizabeth. Kits will be available for pick up beginning February 20-24 during our office hours, 8 am-4 pm, Monday through Friday.