I thought it would be fun to create an email mini-series exploring just some of the ways you can “make money with worms”! It’s important to point out that not all of them actually involve selling worms – but each idea IS somehow tied in to vermicomposting (or at least can be). Obviously the term “fun” is pretty subjective as well (haha) – but generally speaking, my goal is to touch on various approaches that could at least be started on a small-scale (“hobby business”) basis, without too much effort (in comparison to starting a large-scale, full-time business), and requiring relatively little in the way of initial investment.
IMPORTANT UPDATE (Fall 2015):
The “Fun Ways” Email Course is no longer available. I will be compiling the lessons to create a guide that will then be made available to Worm Farming Alliance (Pro) members. Fee free to sign up for the new series “5 Major Myths & Mistakes of Worm Farming” if you want to learn more about worm farming and keep up to date on all things WFA-related.
Please DO keep in mind that not every one of these is necessarily well suited for every person, and if you go through the full (e-mail) series you will quickly realize that the idea of choosing an approach that makes sense for your given situation (strengths, interests, resources, experience etc etc) is an important part of my overall core worm business philosophy.
Ok, with the standard caveats now out of the way – here’s my quick ‘n’ dirty run-down!
1) Worm Culture Mixes – Who says the “pounds of worms” (or “worm count”) selling model is the only way to sell worms? With some version of the “worm culture” approach you can achieve BIG results while still operating on a small scale! And the best part? It ends up being a truly “WIN/WIN” scenario for you and your customers!
2) Live Food – Are all those “other” critters in your vermicomposting systems getting you down? Get your revenge by selling them as live food organisms for other hungry animals! OK, OK – I’m just joking about the “revenge” part – lol – but there are definitely some very-easy-to-raise composting organisms (including the worms themselves, of course) that can be sold as nutritious morsels for a wide assortment of pets (eg fish, reptiles, amphibians, birds – even some mammals). Animals will always need to eat, right? Great opportunity for recurring sales with this one.
3) Micro-farming – Like me, I’m sure many people have assumed that you need a LOT of “land” in order to do any serious “farming”. This is just not the case at all, as many people have proven. There are various ways to grow high-value crops on small pieces of land – even regular ol’ urban/suburban backyards! You don’t even need your own land though – as at least one enterprising university student has demonstrated, you can rent your land for the growing season and still turn a nice profit! Oh, and I think we ALL know that those composting worms (and their bi-products) can certainly help us out!
4) Workshops (“Wormshops”?) – Does the idea of educating people about vermicomposting appeal to you? Why not organize your very own “wormshops” or backyard vermicomposting parties (like tupperware parties – but a lot more fun! lol)? You could charge your participants a single course fee and provide them with everything they need to get started – then actually help them get the ball rolling. Nothing beats hands-on, expert-facilitated learning!
5) Drop-shipping – Like the “idea” of vermicomposting, but still feel a little squeamish about worms? Well, technically you could have a “worm business” without EVER touching or laying eyes on a single live worm! “Playing with worms” is a whole lot of fun – but sometimes it really pays to let the seasoned veterans take care of the dirty work (growing/harvesting/shipping) for you!
6) Eco-Landscaping (on Steroids) – Various “green” landscaping services (and overall philosophies) have become more and more popular in recent years – along with some REALLY cool offshoot ideas. I dunno what it is about those darn college students, but they always seems to come up with the neatest summer businesses for themselves. One such student has done very well by simply installing organic “food gardens” for people in a bustling metropolitan area. The public is becoming a lot more interested in fresh, “local”, healthy food options – but many people don’t have the time, desire, or know-how to do it themselves. As is the case with “Micro-Farming”, our wonderful wiggly friends could easily be integrated into this type of business – you could even offer various services related to the set-up and maintenance of vermicomposting systems/gardens.
7) Bait – “WHAT?! Worms as bait!?!?! That’s BRILLIANT”
OK, OK – so perhaps this one isn’t going to blow anyone’s mind any time soon (lol). Selling worms as bait is about as traditional as grandma’s special-recipe apple pie! Nevertheless, it’s still an option you may want to consider – especially if you happen to be the fishing type, or know lots of people who are. There’s no doubt that the bait market is very competitive, but it’s also a huge market of HUNGRY buyers (and fish! lol). If you can carve out your own little piece of the “pie” and set yourself apart, there is some real potential for creating a nice little (or BIG) part-time revenue stream!
OK – this should give everyone a tiny taste of what you can expect to learn about in the “7 Fun Ways…” mini-series.
Once again, while the “Fun Ways” mini-course itself is no longer available to the public, please feel free to sign up for the main Modern Worm Farming e-mail list, and consider joining the Worm Farming Alliance!
Help i cannot log! It is saying that I am not a user when I am. I am a huge fan and interested worm composter What do I do?
Hi Susan,
When you say you are a “user” what do you mean? I did a search with your email address AND name and cannot find you anywhere in my records. Please email me (bentley @ wormfarmingalliance.com – no spaces) and provide the specifics of your original signing up. I definitely want to help you get this resolved!
Thanks for getting in touch!
#4 Definitely looks like my niche. I’d have to agree it would be a lot more fun than a Tupperware party! I may keep this in mind after I get done doing worm presentations at all the elementary schools in the area…Get a few hundred kids interested who would put some pressure on the parents to “buy-in” to the concept…Could turn a few bucks and still have a great time educating people into the wonderful world of worms.
Thanks Bentley
John – sorry for the delay replying! You are absolutely right – I could totally see you in that role! There is another somewhat similar idea (not included in the 7) that might even be closer to what you’ve described – may try to toss that one in the mix as a bonus at the end.
Thanks for chiming in!
B
Lovin’ it – just recently stumbled on this vermiculture idea – got to thinking as between jobs there might be a good living in the poop business and the green organic movement…could be totally wrong
living the dream!
Awesome, Phil!
Hope you sign up for the mini-series! Loads more info there (and totally free).
More and more people are definitely getting interested in “green” alternatives. One of the goals with the WFA is to make a LOT more people aware of the “power” of vermicomposting.
Thanks for popping by!
Bentley
This is very interesting and very new to me. It also seems like a good way of making my own fertilizer that is organic and an extra cash on the side.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts Malene! Be sure to sign up for the e-mail mini-series (totally free of course) if you’d like to learn more about each of these.
8)
Bentley,
Neat post. Would you mind sharing the links to the articles you mentioned above ie the college students turning profit by installing gardens and the other student who rented garden space?
Thanks
Hi Sam,
I wish there WERE links – but alas, these articles were in actual newspapers, so no online articles. I actually read the student farmer one in the campus paper of the university where the student (and I at the time) attended.
Sorry about that – I agree, it’s definitely nice when there are online articles you can refer to!
B
I (and my son) am very interested in worm farming. Can anyone advise me if there is a big market out there and what kind of return (money) is potential and what to expect. Thanks!!!
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have started my own “worm farm” more for fun than anything, but I have found it takes much longer to actually produce enough worm castings than I had expected. I started with about 10lbs of worms.
Way too cool,
I’ve been looking for a summer job. Also am very interested in worm culture! Looking forward to experimenting on my own, any suggestions?
Looking forward to some more ideas on addition a little cash inflow to our sustainable homestead.
I would like to learn the basics and start a small business… I’m a sponge so any and all information on different bins, temperatures, needed materials n such would be very much appreciated! Thank you!
Angel
Interested in worms as a retirement project
hi am robert. years ago my father tried to get me to start a warm farm i had a small trust fund but as all yungsters left to their own divices do i went through like poop shot out of a cannon.the one thing i did buy was a collection of tools i have been a heavy equipment mechanic for the last 36yrs. i was very good at it i traveled places some only dream o.f anyhow lets get to the point i am a older guy now and i am having to re-invent myself because i blew my back out. so i am moving back to north carolina to a town called walnut cove my daughter lives there and is a rn at a local hospital and cannot leave out my stunning bride of 31 wonderful yrs. i am looking at warm farming wow full circle the old man was right he just did not say when and where coodos to dads everywhere smarter than we realize at the time.could you send me some info on getting started if you have the time.i think i will be in a good demograffic for such a buss. i have dropped belly pans on crawlers at the land fill i do not think worm farming would be a stretch lol. thanks ROBERT MANION SR.
Newbie here . Have not started but very interested.
Love your humorous style! Great content and I can feel your passion for worms, environment, small business, etc. Right up my alley. I just bought my retirement sanctuary of a mobile home on acres of leased land with a huge pond that will allow me to enjoy my twilight years and also have the opportunity for great hobbies that can be profitable. I have the room and the stamina to start a water lily farm, a greenhouse for plants and vegetables, and worms fit right in, necessary and possibly profitable too. I look forward to visiting your website often. Thanks Diane in Huntersville, NC USA
Hi i am considering a small worm farming busines to go hand in hand with my muchroom growing .
When I was a kid my dad and I raised worms and sold them by the dozen. Now I’m old and retired with a couple acres to play with and want to get into the worm business, for profit of course. I live in the mountains of Idaho where we have some pretty cold and snowy winters. When I was a kid in Michigan my dad and I simply dug a hole and lined it with cinder blocks. Is this a good way to go in cold weather?
New to idea. currently using sod worms for home compost.
Can manure be used as compost.
I’ve been curious about the potential of worms and insects as a business for awhile but have not acted on it before now. Please help me progress in the industry.
I find your website to be very insightful. This is my second year in this business of worm farming. I have been producing worm compost for garden only, but I intend to expand it to produce commercially.
I have plans of getting into small scale worm farm sales just word of mouth but will need lots of coaching