Boulder Vermicomposting

Worm composting in Pepsi Refresh Contest

September 14th, 2010

Michael Walker, from Manning, South Carolina, has an interesting entry in the Pepsi Refresh challenge (here’s how it works–basically, they’re looking for great non profit ideas to help the world).

Michael pinged me, asking for votes and feedback.  I gave him the following feedback:

• Have you talked to any local organic farmers to find out if they would want vermicompost, how much, and what standards they’d need it to meet?
• What is the point of the solar panels? To warm the bins? To cool the bins?
• What bins are you buying that cost $8500? The Colorado Worm Guy (another person it’d be great for you to ask questions of, his name is John Anderson) uses fridges, which he gets for free. See http://bouldervermicomposting.com/2009/06/a-visit-to-john-andersons-worm-farm/ for examples.
• Setting up long term collection of food waste is key. Who are you reaching out to to solve this problem? See this post by another great worm farmer about restaurant waste: http://www.redwormcomposting.com/large-scale-vermicomposting/restaurant-vermicomposting-post-mortem/
• What kind of volumes are you expecting?

You also should read the book “Raising Earthworms for Profit: A Multi-Million Dollar Market” by Earl Shields. I got a copy of that from the library–very illuminating. It’s a bit off topic for you (because his focus is raising earthworms, not vermicompost) but will still have useful information about keeping industrial numbers of worms happy.

Michael responded:

I’m not initially looking to sell the vermicompost, but initially use it in selected community projects. Along with my garden project at work.

The solar panels are used to heat and cool the building that houses the worm bins and power the bins themselves.

I priced a industrial worm bin from worm wigwam that’s 5′x16′. I know I could do it cheaper (and if I was paying out of my pocket I would), but I’m highlighting convenience and commercial expertise in the field already.

I’ve talked with two local grocery managers, who are willing to supply old produce. I’m in a small town and am certain to get help from the local school districts also.

So it sounds like he has put some thought into this project. If you’re interested in promoting vermicomposting and vermiculture, go give his proposal a read, and then register and vote for it. I just did, and it was fairly painless (they just want name, email and your birthday).

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