Welcome to the First Issue of AG-BIO-R&D
THE RED WIGGLERS ISSUE:
aka Eisenia fetida or the “Manure Worm”
Welcome to the first issue of AG-BIO-R&D!
I’m thrilled to kick off this journey with a focus on the humble yet powerful red wiggler worm, Eisenia fetida, often called the “manure worm.” Over the past 45 days, I’ve embarked on an experiment that has not only expanded my knowledge of vermiculture but also deepened my commitment to sustainable agricultural practices.
It all started with 4,000 red wigglers—tiny but mighty creatures with an insatiable appetite for organic matter. My goal was simple yet ambitious: to double their population and create a thriving ecosystem of nutrient-rich worm castings. The results have been nothing short of remarkable. In just 45 days, I’ve seen the worm population grow to an estimated 8,000, doubling the output of one of nature’s most effective soil enhancers.
But the journey didn’t stop there. To enhance the diet of my growing worm population, I took a road trip down to Miami Zoo, where I had the privilege of meeting Ms. Jones, the Compost Director. Her enthusiasm for sus-
tainable practices is infectious, and I was particularly impressed with their use of an Enviro-Drum, a large-scale composting system that efficiently processes organic waste. Ms. Jones introduced me to “Zoo Doo,” a unique compost made from the waste of zoo animals, rich in nutrients and perfect for my worms. Bringing Zoo Doo back to my operation has added a new dimension to my vermiculture experiment, providing a nutrient-dense food source that has further boosted the health and productivity of my worms.
In this first issue, you’ll find a wealth of information on the benefits of vermiculture, insights into how I’ve integrated these practices into my farm, and tips for creating your own worm farm. I hope you find this issue as exciting and inspiring as I do. Welcome to AG-BIO-R&D—let’s grow together!
Article by: Kevin D Rodgers Sustainability - B.A. (Junior) School of Sustainability College
of Global Futures Arizona State University email: kdrodge1@asu.edu
BUILDING THE PERFECT WORM HABITAT:
Doubling Our Red Wiggler Population in 45 Days
At ERTHN VSL Regenerative Farmworks, success starts with the right foundation. In just 45 days, we transformed one 27-gallon bin housing 4,000 red wigglers into two thriving bins with an estimated 8,000+ worms. The secret? Creating the perfect bedding and feeding them a nutrient-packed diet. In the video below, I walk you through the process of making the ideal worm habitat using shredded cardboard, year-old wood chip humus, mature leaf mulch with saprophytic fungi, and finished municipal compost—
WATCH NOW>>>>
moistened with a blend of lactobacillus and blackstrap molasses. I also show how we added a powerful food mix, including azomite, Zoo Doo compost from Miami Zoo, and pure carbon powder destined to become biochar, before introducing the worms to their new home. After two successful setups, I even harvested a small batch of castings to brew our potent worm casting tea. Watch the video to see how we did it and learn how you can create your own thriving vermiculture system.
“Growing up, I always thought worms were cool, but I never realized just how crucial they are to life on Earth. Now, as I cultivate these incredible creatures at ERTHN VSL Regenerative Farmworks, I’m amazed by their role in creating healthy soil and sustainable ecosystems. Worms aren’t just fascinating—they’re vital to our planet’s future.”
BREWING INNOVATION:
starts with testing ideas.
At ERTHN VSL Regenerative Farmworks, we’re constantly experimenting with innovative, sustainable practices to see how they can transform soil health and plant vitality, the journey of discovery is what drives us.
Our red wigglers produced some rich castings. So we decided to use these castings, combined with the nutrient-rich “Zoo Doo” compost from the Miami Zoo, and experiment by brewing our first batch of enhanced worm tea.
In this video, I take you through the process of creating this potent brew. We start by aerating a 5-gallon bucket of rainwater, then add about two cups each of worm castings and Zoo Doo compost, secured in a clean t-shirt to keep the solids contained. To supercharge the microbial activity, we mix
WATCH NOW>>>>
Article by Kevin Rodgers
blackstrap molasses and our special lactobacillus culture, along with powdered charcoal. This tea will brew for 48 hours, during which the microbes will multiply, creating a mixture that we hope will significantly boost the health of our plants. My focus is on seeing how this tea affects the growth and vitality of our pepper, tea, and ginger plants. This is a learning process, and I’m excited to observe the results firsthand.
At ERTHN VSL, it’s not just about the final product—it’s about the journey, the experiments, and the discoveries we make along the way. Join me as I put this brew to the test and see what impact it has on our plants. This is the future of sustainable agriculture, and it starts with curiosity, experimentation, and a commitment to learning.
“At ERTHN VSL, it’s not just about the final product—it’s about the journey, the experiments, and the discoveries we make along the way.”
