The wonderful world of worms | Cathy Nesbitt | TEDxTheAnnexWomen

Cathy Nesbitt discusses "The Wonderful World of Worms: The Unsung Heroes".

Cathy Nesbitt, worm advocate and founder of Cathy's Crawly Composters (est. 2002), is an award-winning local environmental innovator. Cathy's numerous composting research projects have resulted in several tonnes of material being diverted from landfill. Worm composting is a leading edge answer to our organic waste problem and vermicomposting is going to play an ever-increasing role in waste management and soil production.

TEDxTAW would like to thank our generous sponsors for all the support in making the inaugural event a huge success. Thank you to The Munk School of Global Affairs, Chatelaine Magazine, Reprodux, Rogers TV, Because You Said So Promotions + Events, SustainableMRK, Orange Fish, and UBER. We could not have done it without your support.

In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)

[gursongurson]

When i was a kid everytime it rained our backyard was full of woms because our veggie patches were flooded and i was scared of worms but my father taught me that they were friendly worms and woudn't harm me since then i started my own little worm farm where i named few of them and were raising them as pets
I used to chop up kitchen waste and feed the worms And slowly i realized i was being a worm farmer and was creating very rich soil

I started putting worm bins where ever i could find the appropriate space for them to thrive and since then i been wormicomposting

We often forget what nature gave us and stick to factory made fertilizers etc but these underated wriglers are such an engeeneers made to create the richest organic compost

[karenarmstrong]

Such an important message.  I have added magical worms to our home composting program since meeting Cathy many years ago - it is easy and I have the benefit of adding the black gold to our plants!  Thanks for keeping up the focus and educating the public Cathy!

[carpenterfamily]

I loved this talk and Cathy's other videos on YouTube. I had to chuckle . . . the camera person did a good job keeping Cathy 'in frame.' She so excited about worms she can't hold still.

[barbarabrown]

I first contacted you from Nova Scotia, and was sad that I had no access to your wrigglers. And now, I have recently relocated to Acton, Ont. I drove to your place today and picked up my lb of beauties. thank you. Its so efficient, and I am excited to speed up my compost for spring gardening. These worms are really hard to come by, so thank you, x2.

[ingridfolkers]

Wow Cathy, what a journey you have been on.  Congratulations!

[eleanorwilliams]

A true advocate for worms! Loved the talk - I'm starting my first wormery in the Spring. :)

[connorjeter]

I'd like to say thank you cathy for all the free info on worms you have given me, I'm a young man with a interest in organic gardening and hope to have my fair share of worms soon

[marjoriejohnson]

Easier way to separate worms from castings is. # one..dont use worm tower- use bus bins ( from restraunt .covered with cardboard...ot Rubbermaid type tote with ventilation in top - covered with screen. Feed from side to side for 3 months ..then start feeding only on one end..remove worms from that end after 1 month and start a new bin and then when most of worms are out begin removing castings from not fed end...been testing all sorts of separating for 30 years and this is what I do now. Watch...lilia Kogan, the crazy worm lady, or AV. They all have great information on you tube.

[JacquieHermans]

Great talk Cathy!!  More people need to discover the amazing gift those red wrigglers offer.  Thanks for spreading your passion!!

[neil]

I love her!! straight to the point :) and humorous 

[jasoncook]

Hey if it makes you feel better Cathy, we have them at our house!

[ravim]

This is not the best way to compost using worms. Worms don't eat fresh biomass. It has to become somewhat soft. That is why it takes about 3 months to compost one bin. You have to compost the biomass till it's 60-70 percent done and soft. This is more easily eaten and turned into wormcast in a month or less. So essentially you have to divide the process into 2 stages. First stage is ordinary composting till the material is soft. Second stage where this material is fed to the worms for wormi-composting.

[notaregistereduser]

Fun drinking game. Take a shot every time she laughs at her own corny joke

[ahmedewes]

I am Ahmad from Egypt. I want to show in work to establish a farm to produce compost by worms and we have no experience in Egypt

[charronfamilyconnect]

Has anyone combined vermiculture with raising chickens on the same worms?