Hey Steve, very interesting & informational video about the VC business. Most of it doesn't really apply to 'home vermicomposters' (except the batch method, which quite a few youtubers apply in some way), but still good to know how the stuff commercially available is produced. 👍 (I can produce enough VC for me and even give some away to friends, in a quality I'd deem better bc of all the variety of foodstuff my worms get, so I'll stick to it 😊) Cheers from Switzerland! -Thomas
So I'm the head grower at a greenhouse and have full access to unlimited compost. I'm new to this and still learning but can I feed my worms compost. Like that wedge system you was talking about could I do that with compost and just keep adding plant material that we cut off of our plants or plant we throw away on the edge of the pile.
Great video We have a pile of biosolids mixed with wood chips, the pile is around 10,000 m3 or 14,000 yards I would like to try vermicomposting the biosolids Can you recommend any tips for this feed stock ? Thank you
Hey Steve I love your videos. I actually live just a few miles from The Worm Farm and know Mark the founder personally through my job. I do frequent the business and buy worms and soil from John. I have seen their outdoor operation of windrows. Now i hear you and Zach Brooks say that wedges need to be under cover. Is there reason why one can be open and the other cannot? I believe Zach's reasoning is to maintain moisture in his Arizona summers. Any thoughts?
Very cool Shawna! I think that's probably true about the Arizona summers.... I also think that outdoor windrows just create a lot of variability (temps and moisture) that you don't get with covered operations.
Steve, I want to start a batch-method vermicomposting operation to produce worm castings approved for organic use. I'd like to use primarily leaf litter/compost, topsoil, and some organic green as feedstock. How would I go about locating and finding suppliers? Would you consider these to be cost effective inputs?
I've heard of this idea many times but not heard of anyone actually doing it at scale. But here's my issue with it....from what I can tell, BSFL frass is more expensive than worm castings. From a purely economic standpoint, taking a more expensive product to create a less expensive product doesn't make business sense. I'm also not sure what benefit you'd get from worms eating frass that they wouldn't get eating pre-composted materials. I'm not saying there's no benefit, I'm just not aware of it. I'd love to talk to someone doing it though!
@@UrbanWormCompany disclaimer: writing all of this with no practical experience - I was envisioning a BSF set up that the benefit would be quick decomposition of food wastes (even meats, materials etc. that compost worms don’t like). The larvae (correct term?) self-harvest so good food for fish in pond, treats for chickens etc. and the frass (didn’t know it was called that) undergoes another transformation to make it less likely to harbor bad pathogens (e-coli was a concern in one thing I read). Side benefits of BSF is they supposedly keep away or deter other flies, or so I read. Still digging into the idea, but this was also my idea for personal use, not trying for commercial sales. Now if I got to live out what I could dream up, then this would on a scale to produce enough material for 5-10 acres of flowers and garlic which are intended for commercial use. Now I just need to survive the driveway, power installation and well process, and the buildings hahaha. That has not been too fun so far. I am so grateful we have people like you to learn from and one day I hope when I comment, it will be from actual experience.
Worm castings are nor inexpensive!! If you couldnt make any money on them. You wouldnt be doing the video. How much do castings sell for. When sild by the ton😊?
Very good video, thx for sharing. I am thinking about building one.
I love your no-BS explanations. You are a man of integrity!
Thanks John!
Man I love the videos. Quick and to the point. Keep em up man. Love it
Thanks Larry! I appreciate the kind words
Hey Steve, very interesting & informational video about the VC business. Most of it doesn't really apply to 'home vermicomposters' (except the batch method, which quite a few youtubers apply in some way), but still good to know how the stuff commercially available is produced. 👍 (I can produce enough VC for me and even give some away to friends, in a quality I'd deem better bc of all the variety of foodstuff my worms get, so I'll stick to it 😊)
Cheers from Switzerland! -Thomas
Sounds great Thomas! Thanks for watching!
❤
Awesome video, Steve. Such great insight into commercial worm farming!
Thanks so much for watching Jon!
Hey Steve, outstanding video as usual!
Hey, thanks Ivan!
Great content!
Great info!
Hi Steve, Loved the video very informative. Learned a lot and help me make logistical decisions. Thank you
Thanks Patti!
So I'm the head grower at a greenhouse and have full access to unlimited compost. I'm new to this and still learning but can I feed my worms compost. Like that wedge system you was talking about could I do that with compost and just keep adding plant material that we cut off of our plants or plant we throw away on the edge of the pile.
I think that could work, yes
Great video
We have a pile of biosolids mixed with wood chips, the pile is around 10,000 m3 or 14,000 yards
I would like to try vermicomposting the biosolids
Can you recommend any tips for this feed stock ?
Thank you
After I did the CFT I emptied it and went to the batch method instead easier to handle and less space
Continuous flow’s not for everyone!
Hey Steve I love your videos. I actually live just a few miles from The Worm Farm and know Mark the founder personally through my job. I do frequent the business and buy worms and soil from John. I have seen their outdoor operation of windrows. Now i hear you and Zach Brooks say that wedges need to be under cover. Is there reason why one can be open and the other cannot? I believe Zach's reasoning is to maintain moisture in his Arizona summers. Any thoughts?
Very cool Shawna!
I think that's probably true about the Arizona summers....
I also think that outdoor windrows just create a lot of variability (temps and moisture) that you don't get with covered operations.
Steve, I want to start a batch-method vermicomposting operation to produce worm castings approved for organic use. I'd like to use primarily leaf litter/compost, topsoil, and some organic green as feedstock. How would I go about locating and finding suppliers? Would you consider these to be cost effective inputs?
Also, I'd really like to know what you consider to be UNCO's exploitative business practices.
"Grab your crayons"
Well this is awkward, I just ate the last of my crayons.
Doggone it!
how high is the soil pile with the cfws system?
Between 3-4 feet!
Information helpful but the annoying background music I am not a fan of when trying to listen to you talking.
I assume concrete forms "Simons" would be great for the wedge method
Steve do you know of anyone who combines BSF to compost first then feed that to the worms? Would that work?
I've heard of this idea many times but not heard of anyone actually doing it at scale. But here's my issue with it....from what I can tell, BSFL frass is more expensive than worm castings. From a purely economic standpoint, taking a more expensive product to create a less expensive product doesn't make business sense.
I'm also not sure what benefit you'd get from worms eating frass that they wouldn't get eating pre-composted materials. I'm not saying there's no benefit, I'm just not aware of it. I'd love to talk to someone doing it though!
@@UrbanWormCompany disclaimer: writing all of this with no practical experience - I was envisioning a BSF set up that the benefit would be quick decomposition of food wastes (even meats, materials etc. that compost worms don’t like). The larvae (correct term?) self-harvest so good food for fish in pond, treats for chickens etc. and the frass (didn’t know it was called that) undergoes another transformation to make it less likely to harbor bad pathogens (e-coli was a concern in one thing I read). Side benefits of BSF is they supposedly keep away or deter other flies, or so I read. Still digging into the idea, but this was also my idea for personal use, not trying for commercial sales. Now if I got to live out what I could dream up, then this would on a scale to produce enough material for 5-10 acres of flowers and garlic which are intended for commercial use. Now I just need to survive the driveway, power installation and well process, and the buildings hahaha. That has not been too fun so far. I am so grateful we have people like you to learn from and one day I hope when I comment, it will be from actual experience.
Sir, my earthworms bloting in winters what can i do
Bloating, like getting fat almost like they're exploding? This sounds like protein poisoning. You need to add bedding when you feed.
GReat video! You can make your own CFT out of wood and pvc pipes. Uncle Matt's Worm Farm in NY details the process. can build for under $1000.
Worm castings are nor inexpensive!! If you couldnt make any money on them. You wouldnt be doing the video.
How much do castings sell for. When sild by the ton😊?
Hi Allan,
Expect to pay at least $600-$700/ton from high quality sources.
We sell at $1200 for a 2250lb tote, freight included
@@UrbanWormCompany
Thats a pretty good buy!
Considering how much inputs can cost! Thank you for the reply.
i see only bla bla bla...😊
Well then, bla bla thanks for watching bla bla!
@@UrbanWormCompany Youre one of the best people I know , on internet that talks very very precise about WORM HUMUS THANKS
Do you think that adding biochar to the food scraps or the soil helps the worms ?