“Worming Your Way to Healthy Soils and Plants”
Rhonda Sherman, Extension Specialist, Department of Horticultural Science, NC State University

A rich soil amendment can be created from organic discards by composting with earthworms. Vermicast influences increased rates of germination, growth, and crop yields, improved root development and stress tolerance, and decreased attacks by plant pathogens, parasitic nematodes, and insect pests. Vermicast is so valuable, worm farmers are charging $200-$800 per cubic yard. Learn how you can make it yourself and see how others are doing it around the world! Rhonda will share stories and photos from her new book The Worm Farmer ‘s Handbook.

About Rhonda Sherman

Educator and author Rhonda Sherman is the director of the Compost Learning Lab at North Carolina State University and one of the leading experts worldwide on vermicomposting. Rhonda travels extensively to present workshops and to consult with farmers, businesses, and institutions on the development and management of vermicomposting systems. She organizes the highly successful annual NC State Vermiculture Conference, which for 20 years has drawn participants from across the United States and around the globe. She has written extensively about composting and vermicomposting during the past 26 years as an extension specialist at NC State University. https://composting.ces.ncsu.edu/

Cost: Free for Friends of the JC Raulston Arboretum members, NC State University students (with ID), and Department of Horticultural Science faculty and staff, all others $5.00.