Turn Food Waste into Compost with Vermicomposting

By Blake Jackson

Food waste took on a new role during a vermicomposting workshop organized by Lincoln University of Missouri’s (LU) Horticulture Program on June 16 in Springfield, Missouri. The event introduced participants to the process of using red wiggler worms to turn kitchen scraps into valuable compost while developing sustainable gardening skills.

Horticulture educator Bleu Moore led the workshop, explaining the basics of vermicomposting and addressing common challenges people face when starting their own systems.

“Finding red wiggler (Eisenia fetida) worms and setting up a system can often be the most challenging part of getting started,” said Bleu Moore, horticulture educator. “People are unsure where to find the necessary materials or how to begin.”

Participants learned about the connection between healthy soil and productive gardens, along with the steps involved in successful vermicomposting.

Sessions covered selecting worms, preparing bins, managing moisture levels, feeding worms, maintaining systems and avoiding common problems. Attendees also explored how composting methods could potentially support small business opportunities.

Moore noted that interest in soil health, reducing food waste and environmentally friendly gardening practices continues to grow. By improving soil quality, vermicomposting can help plants grow stronger and become more resilient against pests and diseases. The method is also accessible for people who have limited outdoor space.

“Unlike traditional compost piles, vermicomposting systems can be kept in relatively small areas,” Moore said. “So, residents of space-limited environments can recycle food scraps into valuable compost.”

During the hands-on portion of the workshop, participants created their own starter vermicomposting setups. Each attendee received a container, bedding materials, red wiggler worms and educational resources from LU to help them continue the process at home.

Gracie Helterbrand, one of the participants, valued the opportunity to attend with her child and shared how manageable vermicomposting can be for busy families.

“People can start their own systems and invest all their time into it, or if they’re like me and have things that demand more time and attention, their worms will most likely be okay,” Helterbrand said. “And there are resources out there like this workshop — it was great and very involved.”

Photo Credit: pexels-denise-nys