Dr. Anatoly Igonin, a professor at the Vladimir Pedagogical University (teaching college), performed selective breeding on Eisenia fetida in the late 70's. The patent claims that these 'Staratel' worms are more tolerant of the cold, and reproduce at a higher rate than the southern Russia and northern Russia worms from which they came. Green-PIK now owns rights to this patent, and Igonin serves as a consultant to the company. He wrote a popular book on the benefits of raising earthworms.