Cornell researcher and RWC community friend, Allison Jack, recently pointed me in the direction of a cool editorial entitled, “How can you miss 58 Million worms?”. This seems to be “real world” vermi-inspiration week here at RWC (haha), so Allison’s timing couldn’t have been better!
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The author, Patrick Burke, provides commentary regarding the failure of New York State government to acknowledge two high-potential waste management strategies (large-scale vermicomposting being one of them) in its recent “plan for economic growth and job creation”. Needless to say, I totally agree with Mr. Burke’s assessment, and was very inspired by some of the figures he quoted.

Here is a blurb:

The largest vermicomposting facility in the Western Hemisphere is located in the FLR. It produces 2.5MM pounds of the highest grade certified organic compost annually, with an estimated value of $5MM-$7MM (yes, the compost is more valuable than the fluid milk). It has been recognized by the USDA and by the horticulture scientist at Cornell as the leading form of organic compost which also suppresses harmful plant pathogens leading to the elimination of chemical pesticides.

Be sure to check out the full article here: How can you miss 58 Million worms?

In case you are wondering…the “largest vermicomposting facility in the Western Hemisphere” is owned by Worm Power.

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On a semi-related note – here is an excellent video that Allison put together highlighting the benefits of vermicompost. I’ve posted it here before, but I’m sure a fair number of you have not yet seen it.

Thanks again, Allison!
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