Vermicomposting

Welcome to the 2012 Vermi-Composting Group Page
Group Members
 * 1) Sam Wallace sam.wallace@uvm.edu
 * 2) Kristi D'Agati kdagati@uvm.edu
 * 3) Aurel Keller* akeller2@uvm.edu
 * 4) Jakob Rooney jtrooney@uvm.edu

Mentor
 * 1) Erica Spiegel, UVM Recycling Program, erica.spiegel@uvm.edu

Group Meetings:

 * Tuesdays @ 5:00 PM, meet at Aiken Solarium**
 * Next meeting is ???**
 * Next full group meeting Wed. April 25 at 5:00 in 202 Aiken**

April 16: draft of poster due (done) April 23: final poster due (done) April 23: RSENR newsletter entry due (done) April 26: poster presentations (tentatively in the solarium from 4-6) April 27: Aiken Grand Opening
 * Important Dates:**





CURRENT PROJECTS:
1. Continue to maintain permanent vermicompost box. - Potentially increase scale? We should look into getting another collection bin to put in the student lounge on the 1st floor 2. Figure out what we're doing with the box/who is taking care of it over the summer 3. Develop some sort of manual to explain what is going on in the box, how to take care of it, etc - for future Aiken interns/caretakers of the box

COMPLETED PROJECTS:

 * 1) Gather up b/w newsprint for shredding to use as worm bedding. (done 2/7, Sam and Aurel)
 * 2) Buy supplies to finish off the permanent bin (done 2/24, Sam)
 * 3) 4 swivel wheel casters (to put on table legs in order to roll the bin around more easily)
 * 4) 1-2 tubes of clear acrylic caulking (to seal the cracks between wooden boards). Please get tubes unless someone has a caulking gun.
 * 5) 1 small hand rake or cultivator
 * 6) Finish permanent bin - add wheels, transfer worms from temporary bin (done 2/28 and 3/1, whole group)
 * 7) Relocate the bin from storage room to its new permanent location. (done 2/28, whole group)
 * 8) Set up schedule for checking in on the box - feeding and watering (done 3/20, whole group)
 * 9) Create some sort of signage - figure out how to educate students about the project and get them involved
 * 10) Kristi's working on signs for the collection bins that will be put in the student and faculty lounges (done)
 * 11) Jakob will start working on signs to post on the outside of the box to explain to students what's going on with the project (in progress)
 * 12) Set up collection bins - (done)
 * 13) Talked to Allan Strong who approved putting a collection bin in the Dean's suite. It is under the sink in the kitchen area of that main room. **WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE EMPTY THIS EVERY DAY IF WE WANT THE BIN TO BE ABLE TO STAY THERE!!!**
 * 14) There is also now a bin in the faculty lounge on the 3rd floor. This should also be emptied and rinsed every day.
 * 15) Add more bedding (shredded newspaper, leaves) - done. There is also some extra shredded paper stored in the box if we ever need more.
 * 16) Look into buying more worms (Erica will be getting more worms from Morrisville worm farmer!. Picking these up on Thurday 3/29! Yay) - done
 * 17) Start talking about what we want on the poster (take a look at the "Poster Instructions" page for some of the details about the posters that we talked about at the big meeting yesterday (4/2) - draft done, final done
 * 18) Get started on the RSENR newsletter entry


 * Check-in/Maintenance Schedule - Tasks: collect food from bins in lounges, check moisture and add water as needed, update log**
 * Mondays: Aurel
 * Tuesdays: Sam
 * Wednesdays: Kristi
 * Thursdays: Sam
 * Fridays: Aurel

Websites about Vermicomposting to Explore:
[] [] [] Read about LARGE-SCALE worm composting in North Carolina: [] [|Composting with Columbia University's EcoReps]

An excellent book on the topic, "Worms Eat My Garbage" by Mary Appelhoff is the classic, definitive book on the topic. (Can easily find used copies on Amazon, or check out from the Bailey-Howe): []