Vermiculture and Vermicomposting
 
   
Case studies  

US:
Oregon Soil Corporation: http://oregonsoil.com/

Founded in 1988, Oregon Soil Corporation has been providing vermicomposting solutions to industries such as the city of Portland and the Portland School District.  Read about their projects here:

http://oregonsoil.com/Project.htm

Growing Power: http://www.growingpower.org/index.htm

Growing Power is a national nonprofit organization and land trust supporting people from diverse backgrounds, and the environments in which they live, by helping to provide equal access to healthy, high-quality, safe and affordable food for people in all communities.  Vermicomposting is a major part of this program – read about it here:

http://www.growingpower.org/worms.htm

Sonoma Valley Worm Farm: http://www.sonomavalleyworms.com/index.php

This full service farm has been in operation for over 40 years. In addition to offering large-scale vermicomposting systems, the farm uses organic dairy manure to produce quality vermicompost.

 

Vermicomposting Worldwide

Vermiculture in New Zealand

This case study involves using vermicomposting to recycle thousands of tons of aquatic weeds removed from Rotorua Lakes in Rotorua, New Zealand.  Previously, the weeds were sent to a landfill. The weeds, along with paper mill waste, were recycled using vermicomposting.  More information at the link:  http://maxa.maf.govt.nz/sff/about-projects/search/LC08-017/index.htm

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations details case studies from around the world on their website: On-Farm Composting Methods - Vermicomposting
http://www.fao.org/docrep/007/y5104e/y5104e08.htm#TopOfPage

Vermicomposting in the Philippines

The worms used in this study (FAO, 1980) were Lumbricus rubellus and/or Perionyx excavator. The worms were reared and multiplied from a commercially-obtained breeder stock in shallow wooden boxes stored in a shed. Within two months, about 10 kg of castings had been produced per kilogram of worms. The pits were then excavated to an extent of about two-thirds to three-quarters and the bulk of the worms removed by hand or by sieving. This left sufficient worms in the pit for further composting, and the pit was refilled with fresh organic residues. The excess worms harvested from the pits were then either used in other pits, sold to other farmers for the same purpose, used or sold as animal feed supplement, used or sold as fish food, or used in certain human food preparations.

Vermicomposting in Cuba

In Cuba, different methods are used for worm propagation and vermicomposting (Cracas, 2000). The most common method uses cement troughs (60 cm × 180 cm) to raise worms and create worm compost. Because of the climate, they are watered by hand every day. In these beds, the only feedstock for the worms is manure.  Another method of vermicomposting is wind-rows. Cow manure is piled about 90 cm across and 90 cm high. It is then seeded with worms. As the worms work their way through it, fresh manure is added to the end of the row, and the worms move forward. The rows are covered with fronds or palm leaves to keep them shaded and cool. Manure is static composted for 30 days, then transferred to rows for worms to be added. After 90 days, the piles reach a height of about 90 cm. Wind-rows are also used to compost rice hulls and sugar cake (cake is what is left after sugar cane has been processed), but this too is mixed with animal manure. Food scraps are sometimes added to worm beds.

Vermiculture in India

This approach (Jambhhekar, 2002) uses the following materials: breeder worms, a wooden bed and organic wastes. The bed should be of the desired length and about 75 cm high × 120 cm wide. Worms should be applied for every part of waste.  The compost is ready after about one month. It is black, granular, lightweight and humus-rich. In order to facilitate the separating of the worms from the compost, watering should cease two to three days before emptying the beds. This forces about 80 percent of the worms to the bottom of the bed. The remaining worms can be removed by hand. The vermicompost is then ready for application.