Comments on: Getting Out of My Comfort Zone

By: Victoria

Victoria — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 02:21:49 +0000

Good for you! Always scary to step outside of the comfort zone, but I’m so happy it was rewarding.

I live in an urban area with lots of people around and I think they see my composting (both a regular bin and vermicomposting) as kind of hippy. However, my 8-yr old neighbor climbs the clainlink fence between our yards to get a better look whenever I’m puttering near the vermicomposting bin. He keeps asking me “are you feeding the worms?” You’ve inspired to me get him to ask his mum if he can come over for a short science lesson on how worms eat my trash 🙂

By: Ruth Ann (from PA)

Ruth Ann (from PA) — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 21:30:13 +0000

I have been reading your articles for some time and I had to comment on this one. My husband and I started collecting leaves seriously last year. This year we were introduced to a very wooded neighborhood and from one acquaintance, we now have learned to know 5 or 6 new people. We suck leaves into a box on a pickup truck and unload and shred them on our property. We are feeding worms a mixture of horse manure, leaves and coffee grounds (from a local restuarant). Each product that we collect helps us get to know more people in our community. We have been amazed at the positive response from everyone. Yesterday as we were collecting leaves from an elderly gentleman who asked us to take his leaves as we were sucking a neighbor’s, we started talking about his small garden. He was looking at a rototiller and I think that I convinced him to try no-till gardening. We may think that we are odd, but I think that we are actually admired for trying to make a real difference.

By: John H. (from Orlando)

John H. (from Orlando) — Sat, 13 Nov 2010 15:15:54 +0000

Great story and an encouraging post for me to read (this just after reading about the deaths of a friend and another friend’s relative). On a lighter note, I hope if all of us vermicomposters would be open to sharing our passion it would have a positive influence in our local communities.

By: Marie

Marie — Sat, 13 Nov 2010 04:11:20 +0000

Hi Bentley
I also am beginning to come out of the ‘worm closet’, sharing my new hobby, even though some (lots?) people think I am crazy.

I brought the worms I bought from you this summer to my local garden club meeting and gave them the “spiel” about the advantages for the environment as well as for their gardens. When I actually opened the worm factory to show them the layer with the active worms, they all had an “eww” reaction (these were gardeners–don’t they see worms all the time?) but maybe I’ll convince them someday. Keep up the great website!

By: Bentley

Bentley — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 15:58:06 +0000

Thanks everyone. I’m sure in some ways I lucked out with this particular person, since he happens to be very easy-going and friendly. Encountering skeptical people will undoubtedly prove to be a lot more difficult I’m sure.

What I’d like to do next year for sure, is (once and for all) get my “Compost Guy Demonstration Garden” set up so neighbors can learn about my activities without feeling like I’m trying to “force-feed” them – I had thought about setting something up this past season, but ended up chickening out. I had a LOT of positive comments this past season, and ended up interacting with more neighbors as a result – but I think it would be cool if I actually put up a sign and created some sort of information brochure for people to look at. While I wouldn’t be doing it for this reason, I’m sure it would also result in more people wanting to purchase worms etc.

ANNA – some people are pretty funny, that’s for sure! As a bit of a “control freak” myself (but in different ways) I guess I can sort of understand where she was coming from (although that particular example is hilarious).

MARK – thanks for the offer. What funny is that in a lot of ways I find public speaking to be easier (and more enjoyable) than general day-to-day social interaction. I think it comes down to my need to be “prepared” for everything (which you really can’t be in a lot of day to day situations). I used to be utterly terrified of public speaking, but ended up taking a leadership course that made a world of difference!
Anyway – we’ll see! Not sure how soon the “Compost Guy World Speaking Tour” will become a reality! haha

By: Mark from Kansas

Mark from Kansas — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 02:33:53 +0000

If you ever need an agent to book speaking engagements, let me know.
I’d be happy to do it.

By: Anna

Anna — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 22:48:37 +0000

Kudos to you, Bentley! I recently tried this and made a friend, but was also told rather firmly that all leaves I chose to leave needed to be swept up into a pile with a point (she was really quite adamant that it be raked to a point). I hadn’t realized that people cared about such things.

By: Larry D.

Larry D. — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 21:44:28 +0000

Iva has a good point! Just leave them in the bags.I may try this?
Paper or plastic? Paper with my leaves please!
Forgot to mention! As a shy type person myself.I know what it is to do this task! I struggled when i went to my first door at work.And each door got easier.You stick a news camera in my face,i freeze up! But a normal conversation i can rule the room! We are proud of your accomplishments Bentley!

By: NG

NG — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 21:19:17 +0000

I considered this at one point, but with no guarentee that chemicals have not been used that could harm or kill the worms, I didn’t go any further with that idea, but the option is still open in my mind for future composting.

By: Iva

Iva — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 21:08:58 +0000

Looks like you can even use the bags!