MAYFLOWER, Ark. (RFD News) — Farmers are often seen as caretakers of the land, but for one Arkansas grower, that work starts below the surface with earthworms.
The Arkansas Farm Bureau introduces us to Adam Chartrand, also known as “The Worm Guy,” who shifted from gardening to building a vermicompost business.
Chartrand’s operation, Man of the Red Earth, produces soil amendments for home gardeners and farmers using natural ingredients and nutrient-rich worm castings. He says his approach is centered on helping plants first.
“We are truly plant before profit, so I have no problems teaching people how to do worm farming. Men of the Red Earth has created, probably at least 20 different vermicompost programs through various colleges and schools,” Chartrand explained. “Basically, we are a Vermicompost and amended soil company. It’s definitely for the gardening side of things, then we incorporate those castings into our various oil mixes and create living soils.”
He says composting plays a key role in improving soil health by naturally adding organic matter. Worms help speed up that natural process.
Researchers are also taking a closer look at what is happening underground. Penn State Extension found that as many as three million earthworms can exist per acre in productive grassland systems.
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