January 17, 2003

Worm Composting — An Environmentally Friendly Solution To Garbage and Empowering Pet for Children

(Newton, MA) - A Newton, Massachusetts woman who has dedicated her career to environmental issues has written and illustrated a newly published children’s book.

Michelle Portman has published numerous literary and scientific papers in the regular course of her position at the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection. However, her newest endeavor is to bring a new voice to the caring for the environment. Ms. Portman is the proud author of the poetically written and delightfully illustrated book titled Compost, By Gosh!. Portman combines Dr. Seuss like poetry with child-like illustrations to explain the vermicomposting process to even the youngest reader/listener.

Vermicomposting is the process of transforming organic matter (like food wastes) into a nutrient-rich humus (also called worm castings) that can be used to fortify house plants; provide necessary microorganisms to yards, gardens and trees; or added to other materials to make potting soil.

The capability of worms to impact our global waste problem may seem insignificant as stated, however consider the following:

• The Environmental Protection Agency of the United States reports that each person generates 7.2 ounces of food waste per day. (U.S Census, Bureau, Statistical Abstract of the United States 2000)
• Translated into relevance for Newton with a population of 83,829 that equates to 37,723 pounds of food waste per day that is landfilled or deposited into the municipal waste system.
• Therefore, if Newton was adorned with 33,007 worm bins each with two pounds of worms working their magic
• There would be a reduction of landfilled waste of 264,061 lbs/week

Compost, By Gosh! is the result of Portman’s inspiration to provide today’s eco-minded children with a real solution to the mounting environmental problems that are the result of generations of “just throw it in the garbage can mentality.”

Compost, By Gosh! was published by a Kalamazoo, Michigan woman who has spent more that three decades studying and reporting on worm composting-vermicomposting. Entrepreneur, publisher and businesswoman Mary Appelhof aka Worm Woman has information and products to enable eco-conscious people of all ages to provide an alternative to putting food wastes in the garbage can and ultimately the local landfill.

In 1972 Ms. Appelhof established Flowerfield Enterprises to research and develop more convenient systems for people to harness worms to process their kitchen wastes. She added Flower Press in 1976 to formalize her publishing ventures and by 1982 selfpublished her first “How-to” book titled Worms Eat My Garbage: How to set up and maintain a worm composting system.

Flowerfield Enterprises & Flower Press provide all materials necessary to begin worm composting. A patented worm bin is available for indoor composting, which comes in two sizes. The Worm-a-way® was developed by Ms. Appelhof as an alternative to constructing a worm bin; self-construction is not difficult and is covered in Worms Eat My Garbage, but does require basic tools, construction time and space.

Whether housed in a commercially produced bin or one made at home, worms are a real solution to removing the stink from the garbage can. One pound of redworms (Eisenia fetida recommended by Worm Woman) can transform three to four pounds of organic matter per week into a dark, rich humus.

Ms. Appelhof has participated as presenter, and facilitated in earthworm conferences around the world. In an effort to spread the composting word look for Worm Woman to be in your neck of the worm burrow participating in public workshops and reading Compost, By Gosh!. Or should you prefer to meet the author herself, Michelle Portman can also be found on the eastern seaboard reading Compost, By Gosh! to the eco-minded of all ages.

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