Welcome to the very first “episode” (I use this term loosely) of the brand new WFA podcast/videocast series!
This will provide members with yet another valuable communication channel – ideal for sharing helpful/interesting information, discussing important WFA news/updates, and just generally, re-connecting, and staying connected with members. Unlike the msgs sent out to the email list, these episodes will be very easy to find later, so you’ll never need to worry about missing out or “losing” the information shared. You’ll be able to access all the episodes via the “WFA Audio/Video Series” tab now available in the member’s dashboard area.
It’s important to note that the success of this series will depend not only on my commitment – but also on YOU, the members of WFA. I strongly encourage getting involved by sharing thoughts/ideas in the comments section found below each of these posts – and by sending me ideas for topics you want to see covered, news you want to share etc.
NOTE: Even the podcasts will “look” like videos (you’ll see what I mean below). I won’t bother getting into the technical details of why I’ve had to do this – but rest assured, I’ll let you know each time what format has been used (and if you want downloadable MP3 audio files to be available as well just let me know).
Also – since I know not everyone will want to (or have the time to) sit through a full podcast/videocast, I will be providing a written summary for each one, along with any relevant links to pages/websites/resources mentioned.
~ SHOW NOTES ~
***IMPORTANT: This section will very often include some things not mentioned in podcasts/videocasts – so it’s recommended that you read it even if you listened/watched***
The New Podcast/Video Series Overview
WHAT is it, and WHY did I decide to do this? – I have essentially answered this one earlier.
HOW will it work? – Every 1-2 weeks (approx) I will put together an episode and I’ll email to let you know when it is ready. There is no set-in-stone format. Sometimes it will only be news/updates, sometimes only content, sometimes both. The “bare minimum” I have set for myself is twice per month – with at least one of the episodes contain helpful content on a particular topic or group of topics. I’m sure it will evolve over time as it becomes more of a habit and as I receive feedback from members.
As touched on, I want this to be about YOU as well – so please send me news/updates from your own worm farming adventures, ask questions, suggest topics etc. Each particular episode can be discussed in the comments section – anything relating to future episodes can be sent in via email.
WFA NEWS
1) The “New” WFA Launch – I never did end up having an “official” launch of the Worm Farming Alliance, and I think it’s high time I do so. I’ve recently been getting a lot more clarity on everything relating to the WFA (and beyond), I’ve been pleased with the “slow n steady” growth of the group over the past few years (especially during the past 8 months or so), and I want to take things to the next level – for all of you, for the group as a whole – and for the field of worm farming in general! Some time ago I developed what, in essence, are the core values of the WFA – Mentorship, Education, Collaboration, Community, Advancement. It’s the last one where’s there’s definitely been some room for improvement…likely because it depends on a strong foundation. The “basic needs” of the members and of the membership need to be met before we can realistically work together for the “greater good” of this, and related, field(s).
Pithy proclamations aside (lol)…I am really excited about the launch. I will be putting together some pre-launch presentations I’m sure a lot of you will be interested in – and I just generally want to get you guys involved in the excitement of the “new” direction we’ll be heading in.
I am hoping to launch sometime in October. Rest assured, you will hear more about all of this soon.
2) RWC Info Product Discounts – On a related note…while I have on occasion offered you guys steep discounts on RWC info products (namely the Easy Vermicomposting Course and VB Plans Package), I’ve decided to establish permanent 50% off discounts for these (and all future RWC) products. In cases where I have collaborated with someone else, there will still be a nice discount – but the exact % will be decided on a case by case basis.
3) Matthew Wilson (Worms ETC) – I wanted to take the time to pay tribute to Matthew – a WFA member (from WAY back when it was called the “Inner Circle” in fact) who, in my mind, exemplifies what it means to be a “successful” worm business professional. I’ve always been impressed with the way Matthew has built up and conducted his business. He is a very down-to-earth humble guy – but rest assured there is some serious “power under the hood” that has helped him on his journey (he recently told me he was learning computer programming and robotics just for fun…nuff said! lol). More importantly, however, he genuinely cares about people and wants to see honest worm folk do well in this industry (and of course with vermicomposting in general).
Case in point – I recently learned that Matthew has connected with a group of the people who were victims of the Wormz Organic scam, and he has been buying worms from them! These were/are people likely at one of their lowest (if not THE lowest) moments in life – likely not sure where to go from here. And Matthew has really helped out.
What’s fantastic about this is that it’s the ultimate example of a “strategic alliance” – a “win/win” scenario, since Matthew has a genuine need for the worms!
If you are a member of the WFA Facebook group, you may be aware that Matthew is also a wholesaler and drop-shipper, and is always open to forming to alliances in that realm as well (especially now). Based on my own experiences dealing with him, and on the rave reviews in the FB group – it’s safe to say he is a fantastic option for anyone needing to make wholesale/drop-shipping purchases.
NOTE: I still have a very strong connection with Jerry “Worm Dude” – and he is still the “official” supplier of the WFA (you can order worms and Worm Inns directly from him via the “Order Worms” page accessed from the Members Dashboard), but I think it’s important to provide you with multiple high quality options – and Matthew definitely fits the bill for being included on that short list!
To learn more, feel free to email Matthew directly: matthew@wormsetc.com (and be sure to mention you are a WFAer)
4) Michelle’s WFA Sales Network Idea – The details are blurry by now (lol), but some time ago on the WFA facebook group wall, Michelle MacDonald mentioned something about wanting to set up a list of WFA suppliers so that we would be able to recommend “local” suppliers to those from regions other than our own. I thought this was a fantastic idea – and even wondered if there might be a way to set it up so that it could even go beyond basic good will for your fellow WFAer (as important as that is). What if we set it up in such a way that allowed both parties to benefit financially as well? Some sort of small “finders fee” or commission for successfully referring business to another member?
I am definitely interested to get your thoughts on this (comments below please) – and of course we should at least start putting together a list of WHO has WHAT available for sale, and WHERE (not just limited to USA).
I myself get plenty of requests for local suppliers – and I’ve already referred a fair amount of business to fellow WFAers, but I would definitely love to get a much better handle on where you guys are and what you’ve got available!
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5)Chris Brickey Update – I’m sure most of you saw the email I sent out about Chris’ unfortunate experience of having his bike and all his belongings stolen in Missoula MT earlier in September. As you might imagine, this was a very stressful ordeal for him – local police and citizens offered very little in the way of assistance, and he was even forced to stay at a homeless shelter temporarily – but thankfully: A) Chris is a very tough cookie, and has the ability to bounce back from adversity very quickly, B) He wasn’t hurt (scary to think what might have happened had he confronted the thieves), and C) He ended up finding the bike later on, so he at least still had a mode of transportation (although it needed some work).
Both Chris and myself were very moved by the WFA response to his predicament. He received $100’s in donations in a short period of time, along with physical goods (eg Trent Holmes was kind enough to mail Chris an old iPhone!), and plenty of words of encouragement.
The good news is that Chris is back on track with his trip – he actually stopped in to spend some time with WFA member John Claypool (some of you may recall the popular RWC post about John’s Passive Worm Harvester) – I’ll share more about that (with some pics) on the main WFA blog soon.
*** BUT, he could still use your help! ***
A trip like this costs a fair amount of money under the best of circumstances – but when you lose more than $1000 of valuable supplies and need to repair your bike, those costs can obviously skyrocket!
Chris is a prime example of someone who is attempting something “remarkable” (a concept we’ll be looking at in an upcoming episode), completely out of the norm – all in the name of “spreading the worm”. He’s been on the road for nearly 5 MONTHS (that alone is totally amazing!) – and I’d love to see him being able to continue on, and to gain even more momentum with his mission!
If you’d like to help out (no amount is “too small”), you can send a donation via his “Chris The Worm Farmer” website (if need be, you can also contact him there as well).
Chris and I have some ideas for future fundraising as well…but alas, the boy still has to eat in the meantime!! lol
OH, and if you live in Oregon or California and would like to meet the one and only “wandering worm farmer on wheels” (and promise not to judge him based on smell alone – haha), please let us know!!
“HOMEWORK”
As touched on, this new series is definitely a concerted effort on my part to re-connect with all y’all (I’m from Canada, honest! lol). In light of this, I want to ask you a couple of important (and related) questions:
1) What major challenges are you currently facing with your business, projects (or worm farming efforts in general)?
2) What related topics are you most interested in learning about or at least being brought up and discussed?
Feel free to share your answers below to to email me directly.
*** BONUS TIME ***
Since you guys were so “good” and you helped to make this first episode a smashing success (he writes with optimism before he has even sent out an email about it!) – LOL – I wanted to share a quick video featuring my “goldmine” horse manure pile. The video is terrible (quality went down even more by uploading to YouTube) – but the message should be CLEAR!!
Keep in mind, this is just a teaser! I do plan to talk a lot more about this in an upcoming episode!
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