Best Management Practices Seminar

Opportunities in Vermicomposting

How to Manage Organic Wastes: Converting Garbage into Gold
How to Build an Earthworm Business: From Planning to Pitfalls 
Discover the Benefits of Earthworm Castings in Soils and in Plant Production: 
Why Supply Won’t Meet Demand

• Why does interest in vermiculture (breeding earthworms) and vermicomposting (producing castings) continue to escalate?

• Who are the leading authorities and experienced field workers?

• Where are the upcoming marketing opportunities?

• Why have university-sponsored plant growth trials sparked interest in earthworm castings?

• How can you take advantage of the latest discoveries to enter and profit from this emerging industry?

A Program of Instruction & Training 
in Best Management Practices

The Best Management Practices in Vermicomposting curriculum provides a course of instruction and training that will give you the resources and understanding you seek. This complete two-day intensive seminar is conducted by leading experts who provide a comprehensive and in-depth view of the major issues and concerns. The executive conference room/classroom allows attendees to closely examine problem areas and to interact with instructors in a lively discovery/discussion format.

Presentations using computer-generated power point graphics, slides, overhead transparencies, videotapes, and a comprehensive notebook allow maximum information and technology transfer to take place in a comfortable, relaxed atmosphere. Day-long interaction with students and instructors, from morning coffee/tea, through the catered lunch, and into the afternoon, means that your time will be packed with information and practical techniques that are not offered anywhere else! Certificates of Training will be awarded to those who satisfactorily pass an optional exam.

As vermicomposting programs and business opportunities become more widespread, it has become increasingly important to gain the understanding necessary to incorporate various streams of knowledge into a comprehensive format.  Questions arise concerning a wide variety of issues, ranging from simple—the mechanics of operating a worm bin—to the complex, such as, What factors need to be considered in operating a large-scale vermicomposting system?

This unique curriculum includes a broad range of perspectives and resources.  Space is limited!  We recommend immediate registration for the next available session which will be held in Portland, Oregon on Friday and Saturday, October 8-9, 2004.

Increasingly, the frustration has been expressed by many that they want to know more.  You may have seen ads, visited  Internet sites, or may have read about the growing popularity of using earthworms to convert organic waste into a valuable soil amendment.  Yet, you still have questions. 

In this Seminar you’ll learn…

·         More about… who’s in the business?

·         More about… how are they doing it?

·         More about… how do I get started?

·         And more about… what steps must I take along the way?

This is the place to get answers to your questions.  Here is an opportunity to talk to industry experts and to discuss new ideas and methods with other participants.

Come learn and share information with others in the business--network with participants who'll travel from around the world!  Over 100 persons from 22 states and 5 countries attended last year’s October 2002 seminar!

 Special Benefits

·         Problem-solving workshop exercises.  Analyze actual and hypothetical operations to find better ways to become more productive.

·         A comprehensive seminar notebook for continued reference.  This resource, containing over 420 pages of material is, according to those who have attended, worth the price of the course alone.   Thirteen tabbed sections provide a wealth of information gathered from many sources, some of which has never been published anywhere before.

·         An opportunity to share information with others in the business or those who are considering starting up a new project.

·         Seminar leaders are available to discuss individual problems and concerns.

·         Class size is limited to encourage a high-level of interaction between participants and seminar leaders.

The content of this curriculum is progressive, building from simple, basic issues (such as understanding the process of thermophilic composting) and then moving to more advanced topics (such as business management).

Can’t travel to the next seminar? Order this valuable manual today! See below.

Who Should Attend

 Anyone interested in opportunities in vermicomposting.  Individuals having an interest may include (but are not limited to):

VermiCo’s clients and customers include state regulatory agencies, waste management boards, non-profit corporations, schools, teachers, U.S. and foreign composting facilities, earthworm growers, worm bin manufacturers, agricultural extension offices, state and local recycling agencies, environmental consultants, universities, libraries, farmers, inventors and entrepreneurs.

Dates:  To be announced

Location:

The Vermicomposting in Waste Management Seminar will be held at the spacious , Shilo Inn (click here for pictures and hotel details)11707 NE Airport Way, just one mile south of the Portland International Airport in Portland, Oregon (800) 222.2244.   Be sure to mention VermiCo for a greatly reduced room rate which includes breakfast. Free shuttle to and from the airport saves you the cost of taxi or car rental. 

Available for all attendees!  At the close of the 2-day seminar on Saturday, October 11th, attendees are invited to visit Dan Holcombe's Oregon Soil Corporation Reactor & Organic Farm.  Oregon Soil Corporation's reactor has been in use since the early 1990s, processing pre-consumer food waste collected from supermarket produce sections and food processors.  Holcombe's elevated worm bed has received funding from Portland Metro, the local waste authority, as well as the USDA and Small Business Administration.  His castings have been the subject of plant growth trials conducted at The Ohio State University in greenhouse and field applications.  Attendees may leave for the tour at 3:00 pm and may be expected to arrive back at the hotel at approximately 6:00 pm.  Please make your airline reservations accordingly. 

YOUR SEMINAR LEADERS

Peter Bogdanov VermiCo, Grants Pass, OR

Peter Bogdanov, Executive Director of VermiCo has developed the highly successful New Horizons in Vermicomposting Workshop & Tour events which have been attended by hundreds from over 30 U.S. states and a score of foreign countries.  The upcoming October 8-9, 2004 Best Management Practices in Vermicomposting Seminar will be the 7th seminar and 12th event hosted by VermiCo. Bogdanov is author of Commercial Vermiculture, a book considered by well-known author Mary Appelhof as “a must” and “a welcome source of up-to-date information on the business of vermiculture.”  His bi-monthly newsletter Casting Call reaches an international subscriber base with information on composting, vermicomposting, soil fertility and issues concerning organic waste.  The Washington Organics Recycling Council (WORC) has designated him a Certified Compost Facility Operator.  He has given presentations at Solid Waste and Recycling Conferences including BioCycle on the subject of vermicomposting and waste management.  He is author of the chapter “Vermicomposting in North America,” which is to appear in the upcoming Manual of Vermicomposting, edited by Dr. Clive A. Edwards.  Recently Bogdanov published In Their Own Words: Interviews with Vermiculture Experts, a compilation of interviews conducted with a dozen leading industry experts.  He is also responsible for writing and compiling the 420-page Best Management Practices in Vermicomposting Manual given to each Seminar attendee. Through its internationally acclaimed website and network of associate earthworm growers, VermiCo has been able to export its products to a worldwide marketplace, introducing thousands to vermiculture and vermicomposting.

Never satisfied with the status-quo, Bogdanov seeks to bring together imaginative, adaptable vermiculture practitioners, ever flexible to changing realities. Scientists, worm farmers, entrepreneurs, educators, and governmental authorities flock to his seminars year after year, seeking to know, to become more, and to share with one another. “We’re all learners,” he says, “discontent with the way things are, anticipating better days ahead.” This only happens in the mix, within the flux, the opportune moments in time where people come together and ideas for new directions are birthed. Build the community. Become a part of it.

Kelly Slocum Bon Terra Vermi-Science, Inc., Vancouver, WA

Kelly Slocum is a Vermiculture Specialist in Clark County, Vancouver, WA and former Associate Editor of Worm Digest. Through her contributions to Worm Digest, Slocum has added to the depth and interest of this popular journal. Kelly has had years of experience as an educator in WSU’s Master Gardener/Master Composter program, is a frequent contributor to the Internet’s Vermicomposting Forum, and brings an infectious enthusiasm to the subject of earthworms and their place in all types of vermicomposting systems.  Her seminar presentations consistently receive the highest reviews from attendees as she brings to life the subjects of the biology and ecology of earthworms, soil creatures, and worm bin troubleshooting.  Continually searching, experimenting, and probing deeper in the world of earthworm science and practice, Kelly is our indefatigable “go-to” person for what is real and true. Here is someone who will listen to your toughest questions about what the heck worms are doing! She’ll be the one to lock the doors after everyone is gone, after every question is answered. Kelly’s traveled the US as the industry’s finest troubleshooter and field advisor.

Special Guest Speakers from 2003
( Speakers for 2004 not confirmed.  Subject to Change Without Notice)

Dr. Scott Subler Pacific Garden Company, Millheim, PA

As one of the world’s leading soil ecologists and an authority on earthworm castings, Dr. Subler teamed with other researchers at Ohio State University for seven years before leaving to start his own business in marketing castings. As President of Pacific Garden Co., Dr. Subler is active in developing markets, speaking at conferences, and has also installed a Continuous Flow Reactor at his Washington State facility where tons of dairy manure are processed daily by earthworms to produce a valuable soil product.

Dr. Subler has appeared as a special guest speaker at several previous VermiCo conferences, delivering presentations at the two-day Best Management Practices in Vermicomposting Seminar, and the Earthworms in Eco-Technology Conference & Trade Show held in March 2001.  In these previous appearances, Dr. Subler has addressed the issues of plant growth trials conducted at The Ohio State University and the benefits of using the Continuous Flow Technology.

Good News!  Dr. Subler  has confirmed for October 10-11, 2003.  More about him: Why would a PhD in soil science leave his secure position after being at Ohio State University as a research colleague with Dr. Clive Edwards? Scott Subler became increasingly more intrigued with the financial opportunities in marketing earthworm castings than in continuing research in university laboratories and greenhouses. He’d seen all the proof he needed! He burst out of academia with the thought “Since the stuff is so great, let’s get out and get folks using it!” Now, a couple years down the road, after rounding up a few investors, creating a marketing campaign, working on distribution channels, appearing at garden shows across the US, selling product on a home-shopping TV show, and stocking product in nurseries across the country, Scott tells us in painstaking detail all about the financial aspects of what’s involved in taking worm castings to a national distribution level. Here’s a guy who sells castings in foil bags, little tea bags filled with castings sold in designer-style tin cans, and liquid castings in plastic bottles of 16 oz. and less! But Scott’s definitely in the “big leagues” with his links to nationwide distributors, so he brings a business perspective that shows the enormous potential found in the multi-billion-dollar gardening industry. We’ve asked Scott for 2 presentations, one on his research at OSU and another a candid look at the cost factors of producing, packaging, and marketing castings nationwide. We’ve been absolutely amazed at Scott’s total candor in giving us a behind-the-scenes look at a huge industry. After hearing Scott’s presentations, you’ll say that alone would have been worth the entire price of admission!

Mary Appelhof Flowerfield Enterprises, Kalamazoo, MI

Mary Appelhof is popularly known as "The Worm Woman" from Kalamazoo, Michigan. In 1981 she compiled the Proceedings from the Workshop on the Role of Earthworms in the Stabilization of Organic Residues, held at Western Michigan University. This precedent-setting event featured academic scientists who met with entrepreneurs in vermiculture as well as members of the public sector. Her 1982 publication, Worms Eat My Garbage, explained home vermicomposting as a means of reducing kitchen waste while producing a valuable soil amendment for houseplants and gardens. In February 1996, Newsweek magazine gave national attention to Mary and the 100,000 copies her first edition sold. Other works she has produced include Worms Eat Our Garbage: Classroom Activities for a Better Environment (1993) and Wormania! (1995) a 26-minute video featuring "Worm Woman" Mary along with songwriter/entertainer Billy Brennan and his kids exploring the world of worms.

Another major project she coordinated was the international conference of worm industry practitioners and scientists that met in Kalamazoo, Michigan in late September 2000. Called Vermillennium, this conference commemorated the 20^th anniversary of the 1980 Earthworm Workshop she organized.  It attracted researchers and vermicomposting industry leaders from 19 countries worldwide.

Mary is a frequent contributor to Worm Digest and has published numerous articles elsewhere on the subjects of earthworms and vermicomposting. 

Ms. Appelhof markets her own self-designed worm bins suitable for schools and homes. She has traveled extensively around the world as wormdom’s most recognizable ambassador. But Mary is also a pioneer, having blazed a trail of interest where there once was no trail! Now every science educator in the US knows about Mary’s book, her Wormaway bins, her Wormania! video and her teacher’s resources. This remarkable woman who came close to a career as a PhD in academia opted instead to lead a revolution in diverting garbage from landfills “one worm bin at a time.” The result is that millions of tons of garbage are now being fed to worms instead of being hauled to costly landfills. Make no mistake: Mary is an institution because she had the courage to market practical solutions for environmental problems following a path more akin to the business model than merely the theoretical. Listen closely as Mary shares how abstract ideas are given birth, becoming practical realities and world-changing experiences.

Jay Mertz Rabbit Hill Worm Farm, Corsicana, TX

Jay says he started his business “with 20 lbs. of worms and an unemployment check.” Today, Jay is complaining about the taxes he’s paying after building up a profitable business! But he wouldn’t call himself an “overnight success.” It’s taken 13 years of work and attention to detail, laboring in the Texas heat, driving up and down the highway, but his product sales continue to escalate. Jay has offered to shoot straight with us, to address all the issues of building a business from the ground up. He can tell stories long into the night, but they aren’t tall tales. We’ve invited Jay to speak because he gives a down-to-earth perspective about being in business. He has a fond dislike for liars and thieves—“leave ‘em for the buzzards,” he’d say. He’s too busy stocking shelves across the southeast with his Rabbit Hill Worm Farm castings to care about scoundrels.

Dan Holcombe Oregon Soil Corporation,   Oregon City, OR

Dan served a couple tours as a paratrooper in the military before hooking up with Dr. Clive Edwards to continue pursuing an interest in worms he had since being a kid. Dan couldn’t be more opposite in appearance and demeanor than the very-British and very scientific Dr. Edwards. Whereas Dr. Edwards gives scientific lectures, Dan Holcombe stands in front of a crowd in his denim jacket and jeans telling folks how his “sheepskin degree” isn’t hanging on a wall but is found in the dirt under his fingernails. The legendary Edwards-Holcombe partnership is also the proverbial odd couple, yet endures because of the friendship and mutual respect they have. Dan’s business involves getting up at 4 am 365 days a year to pick up food waste thrown in 30-gallon garbage cans that have to be lifted on a truck. But massive funding has been available to Oregon Soil Corporation for over a decade as this partnership has worked together—brains and brawn, intelligence and dirty hands—to build the longest-lasting vermiculture business in the Pacific Northwest. Dan allows us to tour his site as well, an extra bonus, so that you can be one of the few visitors to see the historic Continuous Flow Reactor, the longest-running, elevated worm bed in the US.

George Hahn California Vermiculture,   Cardiff, CA

No single individual has invested more of his personal resources in conducting earthworm castings research for the purpose of marketing castings than George Hahn of Cardiff, (San Diego County) California. George has marketed tons of worm castings to the prestigious Getty Museum in LA as well as to the Japanese and other international markets. He works hard getting his WORGOLD PURE WORM CASTINGS into Southern California nurseries (more than 300) adding new stores each week. Whether found on radio garden shows, in gardening and grower magazines, or on Internet websites, George’s dogged determination to market castings has helped him carve a huge niche in the soil amendment industry. He invites scientists, government bureaucrats, farmers, nurserymen, and backyard gardeners to test his worm castings on their own plants in order to demonstrate the disease and pest-resistant qualities of castings. Now that he owns a US patent in this area, George’s expertise and knowledge has earned him the right to be heard at the highest levels of California Agriculture and Forestry. George’s presentation will be: “From Worm Bed to Invoice: How Do You Get Paid For What You Have Worked So Hard to Produce?”

WHAT YOU’LL RECEIVE

Every participant will receive The Vermicomposting in Waste Management Seminar: Best Practices Manual, a 3-ring binder comprehensive handbook for use during the seminar and afterwards.  It contains over 420 pages of all major points covered during the course of instruction, as well as specific action steps you will take to achieve your professional goals 

In addition, you’ll receive many other valuable materials, including free copies of BioCycle, Casting Call newsletter, a copy of Worm Digest and more!  Certificates of Course Completion will be awarded to those who satisfactorily pass an optional exam.

Lunch is provided both days.

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Available for attendees: A tour of Oregon Soil Corporation’s continuous flow reactor—a rare opportunity to visit one of America’s most prestigious vermicomposting sites.

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CLASS SIZE IS LIMITED: Please register early to reserve your space and save money.  We turned away many would-be registrants prior to last year's seminar several weeks before the event.  Sorry, we can only accommodate a limited number of attendees.

TAX DEDUCTIBLE:    “All expenses of continuing education (fees, travel, meals, and lodging) undertaken to maintain and improve professional skills are tax deductible. (Treas. Reg. 1-162-5, Coughlin vs. Commissioner, 203F 2d 307).”  Consult your accountant for details.

ALUMNI SPECIAL OFFER: For this seminar only, we are inviting alumni from past BMP seminars to join us for 1/2 off to registration cost.

SEMINAR GUARANTEE:  If, after attending this seminar, you are not fully satisfied that we have delivered everything promised in this brochure, simply notify the seminar administrator by the lunch break, and after returning the materials, we will refund the entire registration fee.

Here’s What Others Have Said about VermiCo’s Best Management Practices in Vermicomposting Seminar:

“Well presented and organized. [Both] days were needed! A very informative program [and the course notebook was] well designed! G.K., Stockton, CA

“What I learned went way beyond my expectations! I learned about everything that was taught and more. It’s all still soaking in.” A.M., Fairview, N.C.

“[The course notebook is an] excellent compendium of info!! M.R., Reno Worm Farm, Reno, NV

“[Strong points of the seminar included] industry knowledge; range of topics and presenters, quality of presentations.” C.E.N., BioSource, Brea, CA

“[I] liked the manual/notebook very much. It is a must for an intense topic like this!” P.C., Battle Ground, WA

“Covered everything well, with authority. Good view of composting and vermicomposting…and [their] potential.” T.O., Vancouver, WA

“[A strong point of the seminar was its] good technical data. [Notebook was] excellent. R.S., Emmett, ID

Great speakers, wealth of written info to fall back on. [I] learned a great deal about composting and vermicomposting in general. I came away with many ideas on what to do with the vermicompost once you have it.” M.D., Canton, KS.

More Comments from past Seminars:

“[I] learned so much, expanded horizons so much—can’t imagine being able to absorb many more.”  C.J.  Hood River, OR, County Composting Committee

“Excellent speakers, well-organized, well-balanced.”  C.D., Dort Family Worm Farm, Philomath, OR.

“[The notebook is] terrific, worth every dime.”  K.C., Desert Worm Farm, Glendale, AZ

“Great!  I will got through it [the notebook] again and again to get the things I missed.  Incredible amount of information in one place.  Glad I found you!”  J.M., Raleigh, NC

“Excellent seminar!  Strong array of speakers covering a broad spectrum of information.”  E.H., Aquarian Systems, Hornby Island, BC, Canada

“[Strong points of the seminar included] presentations of the pros and cons [and] presentations given by reputable/professional people.”  S.I., Philomath, OR

“I really enjoyed this workshop, gained a lot of knowledge and feel it was money well invested by Adams County.”  D.F., Adams County Recycling Coordinator, Ritzville, WA

“In the seminar in was stressed that there is a lot of myth and misinformation out there regarding the worm business.  You do a great service by dispelling these erroneous assertions.  As you continue with these programs which bring established worm-industry professionals with new growers and composters, there is a great potential to organize and work to establish some industry standards.  These seminars provide a possible nucleus for such a ‘confederation’ of worm-industry specialists in the future.”  M.F.M., Boise, ID

“I go to a lot of meetings/seminars.  The success of your seminar shows in the faces of the participants!  K.L., Rawlins, WY

“Many topics & terminology were clarified.  I feel that I am going away with solid information that I will be able to pass on.  I realize what info. I had been putting out to my customers & potential customers was [both] incorrect and correct.  I feel more confident.  The notebook I will continue to refer to in years to come.”  R.M.F., Down-to-Earth Redworm Farm, St. Cloud, MN

“Good range of speakers with varied areas of expertise and who made excellent presentations!  I liked the late addition of new speakers…all excellent.”  M.W., London, UK

“I think we received a lot of information in a short period of time.  I learned a lot of different things and I have a better understanding of what is needed to start a vermicompost site.  The notebook has a lot of great information.  I will be using it a lot in the future.  Would you consider doing a workshop at CSU?”  S.B., Colorado State University Facilities Management, Fort Collins, CO

SUPER SAVER REGISTRATION: $299  per person.  

$149 per alumnus—no manual, space permitting. Couples sharing course manual receive $25 discount on second person. (Sorry, no registrations at the door, unless approved in advance.) Seminar fee includes instruction, comprehensive notebook, other materials, morning coffee/tea and lunch. Lodging and evening meals not included. You may cancel your advance registration up to 14 days before the seminar.  Your registration fee will be refunded less a $50 enrollment charge.    If you need to cancel less than 14 days prior to the workshop, you may (1) send a substitute from your organization or (2) transfer your registration to a future seminar or (3) request the manual to be sent to you with a 1/2 off coupon for a future seminar.

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 FOUR EASY WAYS TO REGISTER:

1.       CALL our registrar at (541) 476-9626.  Office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Pacific Time.  At other times, messages may be left on our recorder.

2.       MAIL the registration information and send with check, money order, or credit card information (Visa, M/C, Discover, Amer. Exp.) to VermiCo, PO Box 2334, Grants Pass, OR. 97528.  Please include the names, telephone numbers, email and addresses of all attendees.

3.       FAX registration information with credit card information (Visa, M/C, Discover, Amer. Exp.) to (541) 476-4555.  Please include the names, telephone numbers, email and addresses of all attendees.

4.       EMAIL the registration information and pay using our secure online shopping cart.  Please include the names, telephone numbers, email and addresses of all attendees.

Check or Money Order made out to VermiCo. P.O. number (For government agencies only.  Copy of P.O. must be attached.  Payment must be received prior to start of event to be admitted.) Please include names, addresses and phone numbers for all those who will be attending the workshop. If you are unable to attend any of our current upcoming seminars, but would like to be kept informed of future seminars please email your mailing and email address to futureseminar@vermico.com and we will contact you when information becomes available.  Sounds great but not sure if you can attend? Since we began the Seminar in Sept 1999, we've had many requests for the material in the Best Management Practices in Vermicomposting Seminar. Several have asked if the course manual is for sale. Until now, we've only made the manual available at the Seminar, largely to encourage people to attend the live performance. However, we realize that many people, for many reasons, simply cannot attend, but would appreciate having access to the material found in the manual. Our first manual contained about 250 pages and our attendees spoke very highly of it. Today's current edition contains over 420 pages divided into 13 tabbed sections. In the actual seminar, power point presentations, slides and videos are used in the first 4 or five sections only. Because of the great number of guest speakers used, we have never covered all the material contained in the manual during the live presentations. There simply has not been enough time to cover all the material over the two-day event. If you are unable to attend one of our Seminars but would like to purchase the manual, we are making it available for just $249 with free shipping in the US and $35 shipping outside the US. The purchase of the manual would also include a coupon for a special half-price offer (for one person), for a future seminar registration.  Please note that all sales are final and no refunds will be given. #1003 Best Management Practices in Vermicomposting Manual with FREE shipping in the US $249 #1003f Best Management Practices in Vermicomposting Manual on CD shipped outside the US $249 If you would like to host/sponsor a vermicomposting workshop or seminar in your area or for your organization please contact us by email vermico@vermico.com New Horizons in Vermicomposting Workshop Video/DVD Four DVDs of the Stockton workshop are now available. The DVD of Session I contains presentations given by Peter Bogdanov and Al Eggen (60 min.). Session II contains presentations by Kelly Slocum and Zorba Frankel (60 min.). The Session III DVD contains four presentations delivered by Robert Warkentin (with Charmaine Harris and Carolyn Foxe), Karin Grobe, Dan Cardoza, and Jeff Watson (120 min.). Session IV contains the presentations given by Jim Jensen and Mario Travalini (60 min.). Cost for session I, II, and IV is $25 each plus $6 shipping in the U.S. Cost for tape III is $35 plus $6 shipping in the U.S. (Please send $10 per DVD for shipping outside the U.S.) Special Offer: Get all four DVDs for $100 plus free shipping in U.S. (save $34). All four DVDs may be shipped outside the U.S. for a total of $100 with $20 shipping. #206-a Session I DVD $25 #206-b Session II DVD $25 #206-c Session III DVD $35 #206-d Session IV DVD $25 #210 All Four Sessions $100-FREE SHIPPING (U.S. ONLY) #210f All Four Sessions $100+$20 s/h-Outside the U.S. Not available in PAL format