Comments on: The Two Acre Worm Farm – Update

By: PJ Dunn

PJ Dunn — Thu, 12 Nov 2015 18:03:03 +0000

Sounds like Angela is ready to start another worm pile. We are very close by and she can find our number on facebook or the local phone book! I know, I know, no one uses a phone book any more… We ARE the smallest mechanized working worm farm and start up headquarters providing education, Worm Factory kitchen bins, worms and castings for 17 years! I hope that “Tim S.” is up and running; small scale can be a very successful endeavor. Thank you.
Michael Dunn at PJ’s

By: Bentley

Bentley — Tue, 10 Nov 2015 15:12:03 +0000

Hi Angela
You had me at “more useful info than any I have found.”!
😉
(Thanks!)

There are a couple of free resources you may want to check out if you’d like an overview of my own take on starting a Worm Farming business (an overall philosophy I refer to as “Modern Worm Farming”)

Tiny Worm Business with BIG Potential
http://www.redwormcomposting.com/tiny-big-worm-biz.pdf

5 Major Myths & Mistakes of Worm Farming (email list sign up form)
http://forms.aweber.com/form/24/2040996824.htm

Hope this helps!

By: Angela

Angela — Sun, 08 Nov 2015 07:11:01 +0000

I just found this site yesterday and it has more useful info than any I have found. I live in Farmington, Ca., very near San Joaquin County! I would love to talk more with the Dunn’s or whomever has some time. I first began farming worms in 2006 or 07. I got up to 2 4’x8′ bins and then I wound up donating them to two high school ag depts. due to a long distance move. I have regretted it since and want to come back in a very big way. I REALLY love and respect everything about earthworms!! I currently drive truck with my husband and want to come home to be a full time worm farmer 🙂 But I need to convince my husband it will financially be worth my efforts and career change. PLEASE HELP!! I need info. I have ideas.

By: Bentley

Bentley — Fri, 02 Oct 2015 19:37:25 +0000

Wow Michael – that sounds fantastic!
I would love to learn more (email on the way!)
😆

By: PJ Dunn

PJ Dunn — Fri, 02 Oct 2015 18:27:22 +0000

Thank you again for your HUGE informative web site. I am available for tours, consulting, sales to commercial start ups, worms and castings. We host San Joaquin Master Gardener class’, do school presentations K through Jr. college, gardening clubs and whoever will listen in line at the grocery store sometimes!
Michael Dunn at PJ’s

By: PJ Dunn

PJ Dunn — Fri, 02 Oct 2015 18:19:09 +0000

Hi, Bentley and Tim S. Re: Two Acre Worm Farm… funny this comes up. We have what may be the smallest mechanized worm farm in the world! I utilize a 12,000 sq. ft. rehabilitated, used-to-be poultry barn for my worm farm. Started out with a non-functioning partner on 10 acres and HAD to change gears. Our property is 2 1/2 acres with an operating 10,000 ft barn and a 30×70′ manure pit. I process 200-300 yds. of dairy manure annually using the wedge system. (sometimes two) We are in Central CA where temps can go above 110 in Summer down to below freezing in the winter. The worms are in full sun year round and working on a concrete floor from the burned down barn. I use a 5 yd. feed wagon, tractors and a bobcat to manage my materials. I harvest worms with a Honda powered harvester and haul castings with a dump trailer! This is a supplemental retirement project at this time (without the acreage available we really changed our business plan) Our product is a 100% casting that is in production at least a year and my results on testing “aged” products (2-3 years old) has been very favorable to the opinion that castings get better with age… think wine! After 17 years of property rehab we are at a point that a bagging and/or liquid extract operation would be a very viable and sustainable family business. The fact is that physical limitations that come with age are the only thing to hold me back. I love the business, though! To process 200 tons monthly you will probably need every inch of available space on two acres. My wife wouldn’t allow that! She has an acre of landscape all to herself and of course our house, driveways and shops! I love your website and visit now and then for great info. How can I get listed as a worm friend/ No website, but we do have a FB page. PJ Dunn Working Red Worms.

By: Bentley

Bentley — Wed, 09 Sep 2015 14:53:12 +0000

Hi Tim
Sorry for the delay.

Good question re: the covers. I have not worked with them before so I can’t say for sure. If they are truly breathable, yet will keep most of the precipitation from soaking the beds, then they may be all you need.

Your second question hits on of the key reason worm farming pros tend to have distinct systems for vermiculture and vermicomposting. The perfect worm castings production system won’t necessarily be the ideal worm production bed (although it WILL obviously need to be pretty worm-friendly, since they are doing the work for you! lol). In your case it may simply be a matter of removing material from main beds and letting it dry out some before screening.

By: tim

tim — Thu, 03 Sep 2015 15:06:57 +0000

Great insight, yet again Bentley!

Why wouldn’t the compost covers work as effectively as shelters? It should regulate moisture and leaching, and protect from the sun, wind, and birds.

I have one additional question. Im concerned about harvesting and screening wet material. I want the worms to flourish so I wouldnt want the piles to dry out to enable easier screening. Should I be concerned? Can you think of a method for smooth operation?