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The exciting story of the 100% Certified Organic Kitsap E-Z Earth and the Big Bin! After nearly a year, we are now harvesting and selling an excellent, 100% organic product. |
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1) Setting Up The Big Bin!
Workers assemble the EPM Flo Thru Worm Bin which was transported from the manufacturing plant in Oregon and assembled on site. It took a crew of four people two days to assemble the machine. The BIG BIN is 32 feet long and five feet wide. Electric winches mounted at each end pull a cutter bar across the bottom of the bin, producing up to 200 pounds of vermicompost each day.
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2) Putting Up the Walls.
Final assembly of the EPM Worm Bin included adding lids and a ventilation system to insure a supply of fresh air to the worms inside. When complete and built up to its final depth, the worm bin will weight over 21,000 pounds and contain over 600 cubic feet of worms and castings.
| 3) Padding the pad.
In go the first of the red worms which cover the bottom of the bin which has been lined with recycled newspapers and cardboard. This initial covering will build up over a period of 90 days until it is level with the top of the bin. Worms stay on the top 8-12" of the bin to eat the new food stock as it is added. Harvesting of the vermicompost can then begin from the bottom.
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4) Adding 400,000 Worms!
Workers at Kitsap E-Z Earth worm operation spread more worms. During the first 90 days, the cardboard and newspapers on the bottom of the bin will decompose and form the bottom layer. Jill Robinson Director of Peninsula Services, watches as the 500,00 worms are added to the bin.
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5) The First Feeding
The first worm food. Local grocery stores are donating vegetable trimmings and bread products. Workers from Holly Ridge Center and Peninsula Services will collect the 100% organic food stock, chop it and spread in the bins. When in full operation, the bin will need 400 pounds of food stock each day. |
6) Worms at Work
Shredded newspaper and cardboard will cover the food after it is layered into the bin. The only odor will be like salad. Worms eat pre-consumer food waste, paper, cardboard, vegetables, fruits, coffee grounds, dried. They are not fed meat, fish, dairy products, egg shells, or woody materials. They are maintained at a temperature of 55 to 75 degrees. |
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8) Worms at Work
After several months, the Big Bin is now full with hundreds of pounds of all organic vermicompost and millions of red worms. The compost is harvested from the bottom and produces about 750 pounds per week.
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9) The Big Sifter
Thanks to Lester Robinson of Port Orchard, we have an excellent method for separating the worms from the vermicompost. This results in a very fine soil product ideal for packaging for retail distribution.
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10) Packaging & Sales!
The talented crews from Peninsula Services feed, harvest, sift, package and label Kitsap E-Z Earth for distribution to retail stores. Products include 2 pound bags, several sizes of buckets and the specialty items. Current Retail locations
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