Vermiculture describes the practice of raising worms – the focus is on producing the worms themselves. Vermicomposting is the practice of using worms to convert organic waste into worm castings, a process that relies on worms and microorganisms to help stabilize active organic materials and convert them to a valuable soil amendment and source of plant nutrients. Worms will consume most organic materials, including food preparation residuals and leftovers, scrap paper, animal manure, agricultural crop residues, organic byproducts from industries, and yard trimmings.