Demonstrate and Apply Knowledge of Vermiculture



The following resources and activities will be useful for people who have an interest in worm farming.

This unit is used in the following course

 * The National Certificate In Horticulture(Level 4)This industry-standard qualification includes a mix of theory and hands-on practical training and makes use of the productive nursery facilities, permaculture garden, Living Campus and the beautiful, internationally-acclaimed Dunedin Botanic Garden which nestles in the hills close to the Polytechnic grounds.

=Aim=


 * This course provides an introduction to vermiculture.People credited with this unit standard are able to: demonstrate knowledge of vermiculture; apply the principles of vermiculture and describe the use of products of vermiculture.

=Course Schedule 2013=

Introduction to vermiculture
Session 1

To do

 * 1) Introductions and welcome.
 * 2) Assessments,attendance and practical class activities will contribute to a successful outcome for each student.
 * 3) Discussion topics and questions will help us understand the concepts being introduced each week.The worksheets for each session will be part of your assessment.
 * 4) What is vermiculture?
 * 5) What is vermicast?
 * 6) Earthworm quiz
 * 7) Worm farms may be purchased or home made.Let's have a look at the many different types of worm farms.
 * 8) We will go on a tour of the worm farms at Vermagrow/L block permaculture garden and Kim will explain how the food waste stream from the School of Hospitality works.
 * 9) Listen to the recorded Horttalk given by Cherryle Prew from the The Soil Foodweb Institute NZ in 2010 and choose the best answer for the questions that Kim will give out in class.Please hand in your completed sheets at the end of the recording.
 * 10) What will we be covering in this course?


 * Production of vermicast or worm compost using worms as digesters is described and will include the following information:digestion, lifecycle, establishment of a worm farm and suitable types of worms.


 * The feeding habits of worms and feed materials are identified and will include the following information:vertical feeding, preferred feed materials and feed materials to avoid.


 * The conditions for optimal worm activity are described and will include the following information on optimum:temperature, moisture, pH, physical environment.


 * Certification issues related to worm composting are described.


 * A worm farm(s) is maintained so that worm activity is sustained and will include information on the following: appropriate feeding, pH management, proper functioning of worm farm is checked and maintained and removal of excess liquid.


 * Finished casts are harvested according to organic standards and workplace procedures and will include information on how to harvest vermiculture products without causing inappropriate disturbance of worm farm.


 * The use of vermicast in the production of organic horticultural products is described and will include information on the following products:seed raising mix, liquid preparation and soil amendments.


 * The use and application of liquid vermicast is diluted to appropriate strength for foliar and fertigation uses.

Homework

 * The Dunedin City Council is in the process of reviewing it's Resource Recovery and Waste Minimisation Strategy. A new plan for waste minimization will be released in 2013 with the view that"Dunedin will be a sustainable city in which 'waste' is transformed into a beneficial material or is returned benignly to nature.Dunedin needs to reduce the solid waste it sends to landfill to achieve our target of zero waste to landfill. We work closely with residents, schools, businesses and manufacturers to effect waste reduction.
 * What is zero waste and do you think it is achievable?"

Introduction to Verrmiculture
Session 2

To do

 * 1) Introductions and welcome.
 * 2) How did you go with your homework?
 * 3) Mark Jackson who is the Otago Polytechnic sustainability contact person replied to my query as to whether OP had a zero waste target with the following."OP doesn’t have specific targets or goals of being a zero waste organisation.We have rather taken an approach where we attempt to deal with each waste stream as best as possible, use best practice for purchasing, and we are currently looking at offsetting our emissions.Probably a zero waste target for an organisation like OP is not realistic, but certainly the same means are being employed.'
 * 4) Powerpoint presentation and discussions
 * 5) Please read the article in the August 2011 NZ Lifestyle Block magazine on page 12 "Running The Mob" and answer questions related to the article.
 * 6) Check on seeds that we sowed during our last class and prick out if ready.

Introduction to Vermiculture
Session 3

Interesting Resources

 * Videos that describe the installation and maintenance of vertical feeding systems
 * Worm R Us Website
 * Video of worm charming competition
 * Glossary of earthworm terms
 * Many images of earthworm anatomy