Comments on: Worm Farming Business http://www.redwormcomposting.com/reader-questions/worm-farming-business/ Red Wiggler Worms, European Nightcrawlers and loads of helpful Worm Composting Information Mon, 08 Sep 2008 16:27:04 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Bentley http://www.redwormcomposting.com/reader-questions/worm-farming-business/#comment-4082 Bentley Fri, 01 Feb 2008 21:05:13 +0000 http://www.redwormcomposting.com/reader-questions/worm-farming-business/#comment-4082 Wow Kami - sounds rough! You are absolutely right about trying to do something drastic to help save the situation (often ends up backfiring) - this is often a mistake that newcomers make whenever they see something going wrong with the bin. Really sorry to hear about the worms - it would definitely be tough to see them dying and know there isn't all that much you can do to help! Anyway, hopefully the remaining population (of tough worms) bounces back in a big way and you get back on track before too long! B Wow Kami - sounds rough!
You are absolutely right about trying to do something drastic to help save the situation (often ends up backfiring) - this is often a mistake that newcomers make whenever they see something going wrong with the bin.
Really sorry to hear about the worms - it would definitely be tough to see them dying and know there isn’t all that much you can do to help!

Anyway, hopefully the remaining population (of tough worms) bounces back in a big way and you get back on track before too long!

B

]]> By: Kami http://www.redwormcomposting.com/reader-questions/worm-farming-business/#comment-4077 Kami Fri, 01 Feb 2008 17:27:19 +0000 http://www.redwormcomposting.com/reader-questions/worm-farming-business/#comment-4077 No, not your fault at all. I am not really sure what happened. It could have been too much food or too much heat. I lost some worms, but still have many strong, happy worms. I could not bear to pull all of the worms out of the bedding and start over, so many worms were doing fine and I did not want to stress them. Also, I could not imagine throwing the old bedding away. As a result, I am still losing a couple of worms, but I think the loss would have been greater if I had tried to pull the worms out (also, I would have lost a large number of cocoons). It is really stressful to see some of the worms die. I want to do something huge to save their lives, but a huge change would probably kill more worms. No, not your fault at all. I am not really sure what happened. It could have been too much food or too much heat. I lost some worms, but still have many strong, happy worms. I could not bear to pull all of the worms out of the bedding and start over, so many worms were doing fine and I did not want to stress them. Also, I could not imagine throwing the old bedding away. As a result, I am still losing a couple of worms, but I think the loss would have been greater if I had tried to pull the worms out (also, I would have lost a large number of cocoons).

It is really stressful to see some of the worms die. I want to do something huge to save their lives, but a huge change would probably kill more worms.

]]> By: Bentley http://www.redwormcomposting.com/reader-questions/worm-farming-business/#comment-4074 Bentley Fri, 01 Feb 2008 15:27:29 +0000 http://www.redwormcomposting.com/reader-questions/worm-farming-business/#comment-4074 Hi Kami, You are right, starting a worm business IS definitely a gamble (although the same can be said for starting any business really). There seem to be two main schools of thought when it comes to improving your chances of success with a worm business. As I suggest, you can start small and take your time, thus limiting your risk and providing you with plenty of time to learn the ropes. OR, as some others might suggest, you can throw a ton of money into the endeavour, do all the necessary research and planning etc, and get started quickly and effectively. There are certainly arguments to be made for both sides. I'm really sorry to hear about your worms, Kami!! What happened? Hopefully it wasn't due to advice I've provided on the site! :shock: Hi Kami,
You are right, starting a worm business IS definitely a gamble (although the same can be said for starting any business really).
There seem to be two main schools of thought when it comes to improving your chances of success with a worm business. As I suggest, you can start small and take your time, thus limiting your risk and providing you with plenty of time to learn the ropes. OR, as some others might suggest, you can throw a ton of money into the endeavour, do all the necessary research and planning etc, and get started quickly and effectively. There are certainly arguments to be made for both sides.

I’m really sorry to hear about your worms, Kami!! What happened? Hopefully it wasn’t due to advice I’ve provided on the site!
:shock:

]]> By: Kami http://www.redwormcomposting.com/reader-questions/worm-farming-business/#comment-4029 Kami Thu, 31 Jan 2008 02:21:31 +0000 http://www.redwormcomposting.com/reader-questions/worm-farming-business/#comment-4029 It seems like a bit of a gamble, the worm business. I just had a die-off after an amazing first few months. Bentley, think you are correct when you suggest that people start with a side business. It is very possible that one small problem could result in terrible financial loss. Also, mainstream people do not seem to understand vermicompost. In my area, they would not be willing to pay very much of their money for worms or for vermicompost for their gardens. I am just doing this for fun and to help process kitchen waste, but if I were trying to make a living, I would be in trouble. I still love to care for worms, but have no ambitions for money. To everyone looking to start a vermi-business, good luck. I hope things go well. Hey, maybe I will buy a pound or two of worms from ya. I think the next best thing (in terms of buisness) will be new products helping home composters to care for their worms and to harvest the castings. But, what do I know?...(man, I am chatty tonight..sorry). It seems like a bit of a gamble, the worm business. I just had a die-off after an amazing first few months. Bentley, think you are correct when you suggest that people start with a side business. It is very possible that one small problem could result in terrible financial loss. Also, mainstream people do not seem to understand vermicompost. In my area, they would not be willing to pay very much of their money for worms or for vermicompost for their gardens.

I am just doing this for fun and to help process kitchen waste, but if I were trying to make a living, I would be in trouble. I still love to care for worms, but have no ambitions for money.

To everyone looking to start a vermi-business, good luck. I hope things go well. Hey, maybe I will buy a pound or two of worms from ya. I think the next best thing (in terms of buisness) will be new products helping home composters to care for their worms and to harvest the castings. But, what do I know?…(man, I am chatty tonight..sorry).

]]>