Beyond Compost, +: Converting Organic Waste Beyond Compost Using Worms ... PLUS (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9781482656602)

Raising a large family resulted in a 12-page resume of a wide variety of experiences and learning opportunities, mostly connected to the outdoors. Retirement provided Tom Wilkinson the time to write about converting organic waste to vermicompost. Researching the literature revealed that while much was written about small classroom-sized worm farms, and huge commercial vermiculture operations, there was very little written about the medium-sized system needed by most serious gardeners. After many attempts to build an ideal system the VermiChester system evolved that is inexpensive to build. An appendix includes instructions for building your own "worm farm". After a few years of telling his story, Tom was presented with the amazing story of BIOCHAR, which needs a source of microorganisms to function well, and of course, the worms filled that need with flying colors. Read about the birth of AbonoChar LLC and the blend of VermiCompost with Biochar that is known as "BioPreta". "Beyond Compost, PLUS!" is a guidebook based on hands-on experience, and written in a practical style that you will enjoy. Tom Wilkinson explains why we need to convert our organic wastes away from landfills and into our soil and convert carbon dioxide in our atmosphere into sequestered carbon that stays in the soil, where it stays forever, in a way that produces healthier, more disease resistant and insect repellant plants for increased production and more nutritious food and more luxurious flowers. His "VermiHarvester" separates worms and undigested compost from worm castings (vermicompost) in an easier way, and the guidebook includes illustrations for building your own from simple inexpensive materials. "BioPreta" is one of less than five similar products in the USA and is produced in Hastings, Michigan.