I want worms...

Seriously, I'm working very hard towards self sufficiency on our little chunk o'Texas, and one of the things I am seriously evaluating is worm farms. To whit, I am renewing my subscription to Mother Earth News, and checking out their various articles (there are a lot of other things we need besides worms...woodstove, chickens, a greenhouse, a fence...).

Now, I'm a good ol' dual purpose man. So, I'm envisioning a nightcrawler empire, and me making money hand over fist selling off the crawlers I grew in the privacy of my own home.

But, alas it is not to be. Seems I should use RED worms, as they are best for composting. I need newspaper for bedding (which is good as, as a paper carrier, we have jillions of those), and need to make some worm boxes...and hope beyond hope that our toddler and our baby (as he grows older) are not inclined to test said worms for their nutritional value (granted, it wouldn't really hurt 'em, but I'm inclined to think my wife would sour on the whole idea if confronted with a child approaching her with a mouth dripping our latest crop).

So, I'm doing my research. But, for such a widespread industry, there's very little on the ins and outs of worm farming. And yet, I will prevail and one day be able to proclaim:

"I've got WORMS" (apologies to the Farrelly Brothers).

Signing off (tongue firmly planted in cheek),

Gideon MacLeish