Cathy's Crawly Composters
By: Ruth Klempner
Cathy’s Crawly Composters provides worm composting solutions
for sustainable garbage management to individuals and businesses
eager to waste less.
Founded in 2002 in Ontario, Canada, by self-made vermicomposter
(worm farmer), Cathy Nesbitt, this sustainable business has since
made a tremendous impact on local communities and inspired interest
from commentators all over the world.
Worm composting involves creating spaces for Red Wiggler (eisenia
ferida) worms to digest food and paper waste and create compost,
which can be used to fertilise gardens and garden plants.
Worm composting can be done indoors! At home, at school and inside
workspaces.
A compact worm bin requires only a container the size of a small
fish tank, a carbon source such as shredded paper or leaves, a
litre of soil, crushed eggshells to manage soil acidity, water
enough to create a spongy habitat, and warmth.
Also, a handful of worms!
Properly managed, with a plentiful oxygen supply and the correct
amounts of raw food and water, worm bins are odourless and a fascinating,
sustainable fixture in any household.
A recipient of such recent awards as the BUILD Recycling and
Waste Management 2021 Leading Champions of Vermicomposting Awareness,
and the Simcoe County Food and Agricultural 2019 Community Appreciation
Award for Work Improving Equal Access, Cathy Nesbitt has become
a leading practitioner and educator in this method of sustainable
waste management.
With almost two decades of professional vermiculture experience,
involvement in seminars, workshops, school visits, environmental
fairs and organic fairs, as well as active participation in the
Canadian Green Party, Cathy has build a large legacy of making
sustainable waste management accessible to all.
A certified laughter yoga teacher and health and wellness advocate
to boot, Cathy uses humour to engage those critics, both adult
and child alike, to move past any initial distaste at the thought
of worm composting (worm poo, eurgh!), and encourages individuals
old and young to get involved in this affordable, sustainable
practice.
There is an endless variety of organic matter. From straw and
manure on farms, to food scraps and paper from grocery stores,
restaurants, hospitals, care homes and schools. Worm composting
is a sustainable waste disposal solution to them all.
Cathy’s Crawly Composters sells worms and equipment, and
their star product is The Living Composter, a compact composting
tray system which doubles as a stool - ideal for condos, classrooms
and corporations.
Cathy runs a free and fun self-care session on Tuesdays at 9:30
AM Eastern Time.
Her local foodbank is Helping Hand Food Bank - 123 Moore St.,
Bradford, Ontario.
