Commercial Worm Farming

Worm farming is a thriving industry and its demand is on the rise. Worm farming involves breeding earthworms for personal or commercial use.

Terms

Commercial worm farming is known as vermiculture. Farming that turns organic waste into worm manure is called vermicomposting.

Uses

Commercial worm farms have traditionally been used to supply bait for fishing. Recently, commercial worm farms have begun producing worm manure, which is a rich fertilizer, as well as supplying worms to landfill diversion sites that collect organic matter such as grass clippings and leaves, where they are used to speed up the composting process.

Worm Compost

Earthworms consume their weight daily in organic waste and convert it into worm castings, or worm compost. The castings can also be converted into a product known as worm tea. These castings are a valuable soil amendment.

Demand

The demand for earthworms is greater than worm farmers are currently able to supply.

Location

Most locations are suitable for worm farming. Worms can be farmed in a collection of containers that allow drainage.

References

• Vermiculture
• Working Worms

Resources

• Vermiculture Supplies