Move over Tupperware, It’s A Worm Composting Party

I was reading the Trib this morning and my wife told me to checkout page 4 of this particular section.  Much to my disbelief, there was an article on vermicomposting – or worm composting for the layman.  So not only was the article talking about worm composting – which my wife and I are happy to know we’re not the only “weird” ones around the area – but it was talking about a house party – like a Tupperware party – for getting started.  Who knew there was an Urban Worm Girl in Chicagoland?  Stephanie Davies is her true identity and she hosts worm composting parties.

Whatcha do is gather up a bunch of friends for a little party – just like these crazy ladies do with Lia Sophia jewelry, candles, or “Surprise” toy parties – but this time they will be buying vermicomposting supplies.  Stephanie will show up and push the wares and more importantly educating all in attendance.  It’s a pretty phat idea if you can get the people there to suck it up and enjoy the worms.  They’re not going to hurt anyone.  Host Stephanie at your house, buy a starter kit complete with a three tray worm bin and all the red wigglers you need.  Then pick yourself up a kitchen compost pail to hold your scraps – you can get them at Target, Amazon, Crate and Barrel, and World Market (among numerous other places).

We’ve had worms in our basement for about two years or so now.  They are hearty little suckers.  We feed them and feed them and get a crapload (pun intended) of castings and worm tea.  Why don’t we just throw away the food scraps?  Food scraps just break down in a landfill and go away, right? Well – yes and no.  The food scraps do start to degrade in the landfill – but what happens is that they decompose and create a leachate.  The leachate is the liquid that mixes with who-knows-what that is in the landfill and then it seeps into the groundwater and soil.  It starts to flow away from the landfill.  Another huge benefit is the brilliant compost and tea you get from these guys.  It’s like organic Miracle Grow.  It’s thick and rich and buttery (maybe not buttery).

Check out Urban Worm Girl - and maybe even buy a t-shirt – they’re pretty pimp!

PS – Hey Stephanie – you should check out Chicago Green Drinks if you haven’t.