​​Red wiggler worms are looking for new homes in Kitsap County classrooms! These worms are more than classroom pets. They are food waste reducers, environmental stewards and science teachers.

 Why Adopt?

​In the words of Ms. Frizzle from The Magic School Bus, "Take chances, make mistakes, and get messy!" Worm composting recycles food scraps into a valuable fertilizer, known as vermicompost. The process reduces the amount of food waste sent to landfills and provides multiple benefits for your garden. Worm composting is all about learning through exploration. Adopt a Worm Classroom Composting workshop includes an optional small, indoor worm compost bin to keep in your classroom and an optional compost harvest and seed planting activity.  Supported learning standards include K.ESS3-3, K-ESS2-2, 5-ESS3-1, 5-LS2-1, MS-ESS3-3, G2.2.2, G2.3.1, G2.6-8.3, and more. Further information about learning standards available upon request.

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 Requirements and Considerations

• Classrooms monitor the bin regularly, providing food, water, and bedding as needed. Your worms will consume approximately 2 - 4 pounds of food per week.
• Freezing or chopping food scraps speeds up decomposition, prevents unwanted bugs and reduces possible odor.
• Do not release red wiggler worms into the wild. This species is not suited to survive in garden habitats. 
• If you are unable to maintain your bin over summer break, return it to the program. Your bin will be returned to your classroom the following school year if you choose.
  
• Review the Worm Bin Care Guide for information on bin maintenance requirements.  
  

 Supplies Needed

Classroom must provide

• Fruit and vegetable scraps to feed the worms
  
• Food scraps storage container
• Shredded paper for bedding. Do not use shiny paper, envelopes with plastic windows, or paper containing plastic.

Kitsap County provides

• One pound of Red Wiggler (Eisenia fetida) worms
• Small, indoor worm composting bin
• Worm feeding guide
  
• Worm bin quick start and care guide
  
• Fruit and vegetables storage guide
  
• A copy of Mary Applehof's "Worms Eat My Garbage: How to Set Up and Maintain a Worm Composting System"
  
• On-call assistance, we are here to help!

  Resources

Learn more about Composting in Kitsap County and Youth Programs.