Top: Vermicomposting facility supplies worm castings, compost and other soil amendments to California growers. Photos courtesy Central Coast Worm Farm, LLC

Central Coast Worm Farm, LLC started out as a composting facility in Hollister, California over 30 years ago, producing high quality compost for organic farmers on the Central Coast. It eventually modified the composting facility by feeding the compost being produced to a “herd of worms,” yielding pure worm castings and agricultural grade vermicompost. Its product line includes gypsum, lime, meat and bonemeal, biochar, and other soil amendments. The worm castings and vermicompost are OMRI listed and registered as an Organic Input Material by the California Department of Food and Agriculture. Delivery and spreading services are available to farmers.

Recently, Central Coast Worm Farm was awarded a $4.2 million U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Fertilizer Production Expansion Program grant to help grow its vermicomposting facility. The grant will be used to increase production capacity by installing a static composting system and improving facility access. When operational, Central Coast anticipates fertilizer production will increase to 158,000 tons/year. The project is expected to create 16 new positions and provide product to 28,000 acres of producer-managed crops.

“Locally produced organic fertilizer is an important part of California’s agricultural supply chain and with this investment, I’m confident everyone will benefit, from our producers to consumers,” said Maria Gallegos Herrera, the USDA Rural Development California State Director when announcing the award. “Under the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA is creating a competitive, resilient, and sustainable economy so our rural businesses and individuals prosper.”