Vermicompost!

Most visitors to Slide Ranch probably notice our larger animals – our goats, sheep, chickens, and ducks are charismatic ambassadors, each of them playing an important role on our farm. Whether it’s producing milk, eggs, wool or even waste that helps fertilize our garden, these animals each have an important job at the ranch. However, there is a much smaller yet equally important creature living on our farm that many visitors may overlook – the humble worm!

Slide Ranch’s hardworking team of worms plays a crucial role in our ecosystem by helping to turn kitchen scraps into nutrient-rich fertilizer for our garden. These small but mighty decomposers break down organic matter, transforming it into what’s known as worm castings—a powerful natural fertilizer that enhances soil health and plant growth. Our hungry red worms can consume their own body weight in food scraps daily. The worms are especially fond of our staff’s breakfast scraps, including eggshells, coffee grounds, and tea leaves, as well as a steady supply of shredding from the office After a few months of digestion and decomposition, these materials are transformed into rich, dark castings, which can then be applied directly to garden beds or brewed into “worm tea,” a nutrient-packed liquid that nourishes plants during watering and improves soil structure, aeration, and moisture retention. Bon appétit!

At Slide Ranch, worms are just a small part of our larger composting system. By integrating vermiculture into our farm’s sustainability practices, we are able to reduce waste, improve soil fertility, and demonstrate to visitors how nature recycles nutrients in an efficient and natural way. Whether it’s our charismatic farm animals or our tiny but tireless worms, every creature has an important role in keeping our farm healthy and thriving!