Vermicomposting update

We did build the first worm bin and we had some materials left over which we do plan to use in the future, probably over the summer. Sometime shortly before June 7th, when the DC will re-open for summer, we will be filling the bin with worms and begin composting. The DC has promised to match the funds we raised (~3,700) so we have plenty of money to expand the system when our worms double. We will be arranging people to transport the food residuals for the summer and will monitor the amount of food that the worms actually eat and making adjustments as needed after we have collected several weeks of data. We will make arrangements with you to use the truck(weekly) and the water truck (at the time of worm delivery). If we find that the amount of worms that we are starting with does not consume a large enough percentage of the DC's pre-consumer waste then we may try to increase the volume of worms in the near future rather than waiting the 6 months for them to double. We are also planning to seek assistance from the engineering department in designing the next bin.
Our major concern right now is to develop a management system which will oversee the system long term and which will ensure its viability into the future. The 310 class in the fall will work to research management models and put that system in place.
We are all very excited to begin the composting process and look forward to harvesting the first round of worms and worm castings in about 6 months. We are also excited about the possibility of doing research to determine whether or not vermicomposting systems can process post-consumer waste to the satisfaction of composting regulations.