The Worm Farmer's Handbook: Mid- To Large-Scale Vermicomposting for Farms, Businesses, Municipalities, Schools, and Institutions

Intro
 Praise for The Worm Farmer\'s Handbook
 Title Page
 Copyright
 Dedication
 Contents
 Introduction
 1. Why Venture into Vermicomposting?
 Vermicomposting, Vermicast, and Compost
 Vermiculture Versus Vermicomposting
 A Bit of Vermicomposting History
 Who Is Vermicomposting Today?
 Markets for Earthworms
 Markets for Vermicast
 Earthworm-Related Commerce
 2. How Vermicast Benefits Soils and Plants
 What Is Vermicast?
 Vermicast Versus Compost
 Characteristics of Vermicast
 Vermicast Effects on Soils
 Vermicast Effects on Plant Growth
 Arthropod Pest Control. Plant Pathogen (Disease) ControlPlant Parasitic Nematode Control
 3. Key Things to Know About Earthworms
 Anatomy and Physiology Basics
 Amazing Earthworm Facts
 Ecological Groups and Species
 Earthworm Reproduction
 Earthworm Needs for Vermicomposting
 4. Planning for Success
 Check State and Local Regulations
 Prepare a Business Plan
 Develop a Marketing Plan
 Education as a Component of Marketing
 Create a Promotional Plan
 What to Avoid: Why Operations Fail
 5. Designing Your Vermicomposting Setup
 Parameters for Choosing a System
 Space Requirements
 Types of Vermi-Systems. Covering the BedAccessing the Worm Bed
 6. Vermicomposting Basics
 Bedding Options and Preparation
 Adding Earthworms to Your Vermi-System
 Utility Needs
 Safety
 7. Earthworm Feeds and Feeding Methods
 Feedstock Options
 Developing a Feedstock Recipe
 Processing Feedstocks
 Testing New Feedstocks
 Worm Feed Characteristics
 Pre-Composting Feedstocks
 Feeding Schedule
 Applying Feedstocks to the Bed
 8. Monitoring Your Worm Bed Environment
 The Daily Inspection
 Moisture Control
 Temperature Control
 Lighting
 Earthworm Predators or Annoyances
 Troubleshooting Worm Bed Conditions. Recording Observations9. Harvesting and Post-Harvest Practices
 Manual Earthworm Removal
 Vermicast Harvesting
 Packaging and Shipping Earthworms
 Vermicast: Quality, Stability, and Maturity of Product
 Product Labeling
 Tea or Aqueous Extracts
 10. Vermicomposting Operations Around the World
 Resources
 Notes
 Bibliography
 About the Author.