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What do you call it when you cross
a Segmented Worm with a Stink Bug?
A Scentipede.
![]()
(Thanks to Frank & Ernest by Thaves.)
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| Something new in Networking
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Green
Connections
A business group with a Green attitude.
Green Connections is now incorporated as a Non-for-profit organization.
Next meetings:
- Feb. 22, 2012
Markham Convergence Centre
7271 Warden Ave. Markham, ON
- Mar. 28, 2012
York Region Administrative Centre
17250 Yonge St. Newmarket, ON
Guests always welcome.
www.green-connections.com
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Funding Info:
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WWF-Canada announces the start of the fourth cycle of the Green
CommUnity School Grants Program. The grant program aims to support
school projects that will connect students with nature, help reduce
a community’s impact on the environment, increase understanding
of environmental issues and solutions, stimulate environmental leadership,
and inspire students and communities to take action.
To find out more about this and other funding opportunities, please
follow this link. |
![]()
There are over 4,000 different types of worms on our planet.
One type is called Sabellidae. |
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Sabellidae (feather duster worms) are a type of
marine tube worm where the head is mostly concealed by feathery
branchiae. They build tubes out of parchment, sand, and bits of
shell. They tend to be common in the intertidal zones (the area that is above water at low tide and under water at high tide) around the
world. |
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| What was the worm doing in the
cornfield?
He was going in one ear and out the
other.
![]()
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| Featured Video
of the month:
David Attenborough and the BBC show us what a 6 foot long Gippsland worm looks like.
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Click here to see video |
![Jimi Hendrix - An innovative guitarist whose solos often feature creative use of feedback]()
Feedback
|
| So what do you think about the
Worm-Away Newsletter?
Have we wormed our way into your heart?
![]()
Feedback Form
We are looking for input for upcoming newsletters.
Send us your comments, suggestions, stories and
pictures. Please let us know of any wormy
topics you would like to see covered here.
|
Please tell us what you think.
Follow
this link to Feedback form. |
| Hi Cathy,
My husband got me the worm chalet for Christmas, I
just set it up. Everyone thinks I am crazy to ask for this for Christmas,
but this makes me happy. Thank you so much. Carolyn K.
They (worms) arrived healthy and happy :) Thanks very
much. I'm saving the shipping receipt and the box label because
it was so hilarious, Mr.Nibbs (the Turtle) got his first mail! he
he. That was great thanks so much it made my day! It's small personal
random nice things like that that mean a lot. Thanks again, :) You
were great people to deal with. Simona M. (and Mr.Nibbs)
It was a pleasure to meet you today Cathy. I was there with my children. Out of the entire conference I loved your booth the best. It is totally amazing.
Angela P.
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Thanks for the first 10 Wormderful
years!
January 2012 marks the tenth Anniversary for Cathy's Crawly
Composters. From humble beginnings in 2002 the worm business
has grown in scope and ![]() influence
over the years. The ride has been sometimes daunting and sometimes
exhilarating but always interesting.
We would like to thank all of our customers and suppliers
over the years for enriching our lives and our business. The
characters you come across in worm world are a down to earth
group (pun intended), always interested in making the world
a better place. The encouragement we've received from clients,
suppliers and passers-by is one of the main reasons we have
stayed in business all these years.
What is the future for Cathy's Crawly Composters?
Our immediate plans include a venture in Guatemala, partnering
with Byoearth to help spread the worm-word across Latin America
(You can read about this initiative further on in the Worm-Away
Newsletter). We will also be looking into taking some solid
steps toward our ultimate goal of developing a compost/environmental
learning centre. The centre will be a place where people can
come to learn about all different aspects of composting and
vermicomposting as well as other important environmental concepts.
To all the people that have taken the time to call, email,
tweet and stop ![]() by
our booth for some worm-talk, a heart felt thank you from
the bottom of our hearts (all five). With your help and encouragement
we will continue to grow and expand the worm world for another
10 years and beyond.
Squirmingly,
Cathy & Rick
|
Cathy's Crawly Composters Time-line
Highlights from 10 years.
(Note: We wanted to put together
a time-line of events and accomplishments
since 2002 but frankly, it was too long.
So here is a shortened version. If you would
like to see the full version, please follow
the link at the bottom of this time-line.) |
|
|
2002 |
Jan.
Mar. |
Wormania in Bradford -Cathy's Crawly
Composters Open for business!
First print article: Icky to Incredible – Bradford
Times
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| 2003 |
Apr
Oct. |
Cathy starts Earthday with an early morning interview
with Andy Barrie on CBC (Radio)
Cathy speaks at Waste Minimization Form Saskatoon,
Sask. |
2004 |
Apr. |
Worms on Breakfast Television (City TV)
|
2005 |
Oct.
Oct. |
Award - Recycling Council of Ontario’s Waste Minimization
Cathy interviewed on Fairchild Television (in Mandarin)
|
2006 |
Oct. |
Worms without Borders launched. |
2007 |
Oct. |
First Worm Harvest Party (waste reduction week) (Burlington) |
2008 |
Feb.
Apr.
Jun. |
“Wigglers are Red” Valentines
Day Contest - Favourite contest of the year - National
Post
Cathy begins radio series as “Green Guru”
on From a Woman's Perspective with Marilyn Wetston
New product - Introduction of Worm Chalet
|
2009 |
Jan.
Mar.
Jun.
|
World Premier of movie: Squirm – The Cathy's
Crawly Composters Story
100th News article - Hungry worms, clean kitchens
Cathy becomes international speaker.
Speaks at Vermiculture Conference – North
Carolina, USA |
2010 |
Jan. |
Cathy speaks at Guelph Organic Conference |
2011 |
Jun.
Aug. |
Award - Canadian Champion Worm Charmer
New product - Introduction of Sure-Close collection
container |
2012 |
Mar. |
Worm power in Guatemala |
|
Follow this link to full time-line. |
What's next for Cathy's Crawly Composters?
![]()
In late 2011 Cathy's Crawly Composters connected with
Maria and Byoearth of Guatemala. Byoearth
is an innovative ![]() social
venture that seeks to provide sustainable answers and
alternatives. Founded in 2007, Byoearth is a social
enterprise looking for solutions for poverty eradication
and Red Wigglers are their inspiration!
Byoearth has set up a Vermicomposting site by Guatemala City's
garbage dump. ![]() They
transform degradable waste into a form beneficial for people,
the environment and earth. Their goal is to eradicate extreme
poverty via vermiculture. Health and development through vermiculture
and vermicomposting is possible!
What do they do?
Byoearth provides a replicable vermicomposting model inspired
by nature to promote health and development.
![]()
- They encourage good practice in biodegradable waste management
in a community and household level.
- They transform any type of degradable waste in a 100%
organic compost using red worms, Eisenia fetida.
- They provide technical training in vermiculture and vermicomposting,
offering the best quality products in the national market:
vermicompost, compost tea and breeding worms.
![]() A
training model has been developed and now Byoearth is looking
to bring it to different communities across Guatemala and
beyond.
Cathy's Crawly Composters believes this is truly a worthwhile
endeavour and has partnered with Byoearth to help spread the
worm ![]() word
across Guatemala. We will be sending a representative (Cathy)
to Guatemala in February 2012 to study their model. Cathy
will assist in developing and expanding the project and possibly
bringing the model back to Canada.
|
If you would like to donate
to the Cathy's Crawly Composters/ Byoearth Fund, any help
would be greatly appreciated. |
|
|
We would like to thank the following
organizations for coming
forward to help sponsor our
Squirmin' Dirt Party: ![]()
|
|
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Announcing the winner of
the Cathy's Crawly Composters 2011 Back to School contest.
Congratulations to Glendale Public
School.
The 2011 Back to School Contest concluded with a very spirited
round of voting. Out of the final five: Roots, Wiggly Wanda,
Mr. Wormypants, Chomp and Squirmy Wormy, "Chomp"
came out overwhelmingly as the top name for our new mascot
broach. Cathy will be making the trip to Glendale Public School
later this month to deliver their new Vermicomposter and to
personally thank the students and teachers of Glendale for
their submissions and enthusiasm throughout the contest.
![]()
Say hello to "Chomp".
|
Cathy,
Just wanted to say how much our
students enjoyed this. The older ones created
posters and announcements and the last few
wet days have shown our "city kids" are
protecting the worms who have appeared on
our tarmac.
We read diary of a worm, created poems and all sorts - a great kick-off to our eco-schools year.
Jay (Teacher)
Glendale P.S. |
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Upcoming Events
Want/need worms? Want to save the shipping? Why not
attend one of our upcoming events ... come and see the worms up
close and personal. We often sell out at events, pre-orders will
guarantee you can what you want. |
Date: February
17, 2012
Event: Squirmin' Dirt Party
Location: Sharon Hope United Church
18648 Leslie St. Sharon, ON
|
Date: February
18, 2012
Event: 2012 Conference - Your Food, Your
Choice: The Value of Organic
Location: U of T Conference Centre
89 Chestnut St. Toronto, ON
|
Date: February
25, 2012
Event: Seedy Saturday & Environmental
Fair
Location: Unitarian Congregation
84 South Service Rd. Mississauga, ON
|
Date: March 3, 2012
Event: Seedy Saturday
Location: Scadding Court
707 Dundas St. West, Toronto, ON
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Date: March 10, 2012
Event: Seedy Saturday
Location: Evergreen Brick Works
550 Bayview Ave. Toronto, ON
|
Date: March 17, 2012
Event: Seedy Saturday
Location: Heron Park Community Centre
292 Manse Rd. Scarborough, ON
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Date: March 25, 2012
Event: Seedy Sunday
Location: Lawrence Heights Community Centre
5 Replin Rd. Toronto, ON
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Date:March 27,
2012
Event: Organic Magic with Worms
Location: Royal Canadian Legion - Aurora
105 Industrial Pkwy N, Aurora, ON
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| For
a full listing and directions to all events please visit
our website. |
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Did you Know? ![]()
- The average Canadian produces 1 tonne of waste per year.
- A pound of worms and their descendants can consume 1 tonne
of organic waste per year.
- For every one garbage can of waste put out at the curb,
70 garbage cans of waste were produced upstream to make
the junk in that one garbage can. - York Region Environmental Alliance.
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Worm: Q & A
Regarding Springtails video on YouTube: ![]()
Question: This is zoomed in a lot, right? Because we think that we have springtails, but they are very very tiny. Not even sure if? they have legs or not.
Pianoluver901
Answer: Yes this video zooms down to 40 times
magnification. If you can make it out the Springtails are kind of
rectangular. In your bin there may also be white mites. They look
quite similar to the Springtails but are more round white dots.
The mites are also more active, you can usually see them moving
around more than the Springtails.
Question: Thanks for the quick reply. Are these mites a problem?? Or do they
help the worms decompose the food? They are quite active.
Pianoluver901
Answer: White mites are rarely a problem, they
will not harm the worms and will actually help break down the food.
There are always mites in your bin, but the population can increase
dramatically if there is a food source that they like (it's hard
to say what the food source might be). To get rid of mites try placing
a milk soaked piece of bread in the bin. Leave it overnight then
remove it the next day. Repeat as necessary. If you leave it the
mite population will decrease naturally over time. |
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In
the News
Print
- Worms fight poverty in Guatemala!
Cathy Nesbitt first became aware of Byoearth and its work
in Guatemala through "the random universe of Twitter," she
says. Byoearth is an organization working with the poorest
of the poor in Guatemala: the residents of Guatemala City's
garbage dump. Its goal is to eliminate extreme poverty,
through vermiculture.
Read
more ...
- Organic Magic with Worms
The students learned about vermicomposting, which is a leading
edge answer to our organic waste problems. Over 50,000 students
have seen her presentation and Cathy has spoken on vermiculture
at provincial and national conferences.
Read
more ...
Television
- Daytime (York Region) Rogers Cable 10
& 63.
Cathy discusses her upcoming venture with Byoearth-Guatemala
with Jeff and Elaine on Daytime. Find out how Byoearth is
eradicating extreme poverty through vermicomposting.
Read
more ...
- CTV News - K.C. Colby learns about the
Guatemala connection on CTV News.
View episode ...
Blog-O-Sphere
- Healthy Balance 4 You - Worms Anyone?
This past Christmas I purchased some red wiggly worms for
my husband...oh he likes gardening, so all good! Surprisingly
for pets, they are very quiet and are free to feed. The
end result will provide us with food for the garden, and
trees. I like that it helps us be self-sustaining and contribute
to the environment.
Read
on ...
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| For all
the wormy news please visit
our website. |
|
Featured - Business
![]()
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Master Gardeners of Ontario
Master Gardeners of Ontario is an organization dedicated
to providing horticultural information to the public. It began
in 1985 as a program of the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture,
Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) but it is now an independent
nonprofit organization.
The Master Gardener concept was originally created in Washington
State (USA) in 1972. Ontario’s first pilot sites began
in Brigden, Englehart and London with 39 participants. The
![]() next
year, Brantford, Stratford, Ottawa, Windsor, Algoma West,
Burlington and St. Catharines joined and brought with them
another 154 new volunteers.
Now, as then, experienced gardeners are recruited locally.
After an orientation session, candidates take an eligibility
test. If they pass, they are able to register for on line
courses from the University of Guelph or The Nova Scotia Agricultural
College.
In return, participants provide horticultural information
to the public via garden clinics, telephone, letters, displays,
workshops, television, radio and newspaper articles. For example,
the Master Gardeners mans a booth at the Royal Winter Fair
in Toronto to answer horticultural questions form the public.
By the end of 1989 OMAFRA was funding 19 groups with 337 active
volunteers. In 1996, funding was discontinued and Master Gardeners
of Ontario Inc. was incorporated as an independent organization.
In 1990 the program held a successful provincial conference
at the University of Guelph . Subsequently conferences were
held in Waterloo in 1993 and Ridgetown in 1996. A special
part of the Ridgetown conference was the presentation of pins
to Master Gardeners with 10 years of service.
Members regularly contribute gardening articles to community
newspapers, magazines and online. The articles and additional
resources on their website provides unbiased information on
many gardening topics. The primary fund-raiser is an annual
plant sale which offers many member-grown ornamentals, herbs
and vegetables.
A Garden Helpline
form is maintained year-round by the local Lake Simcoe
South Master Gardeners to provide individualized gardening
advice to the public. Contact them on there website, lss.mgoi.ca
or by email lssmaster...@gmail.com.
Other Master Gardeners groups in Ontario can be contacted
through the provincial website at mgoi.ca.
Be a Volunteer!
If you are an experienced gardener and enjoy helping others,
Master Gardeners of Ontario wants to hear from you. A group
of 15 or more interested and knowledgeable people (10 or more
in Northern Ontario ) can form a Master Gardener Group. Master
Gardeners are standing by to help you get the results you've
always dreamed about. You can contact the Master Gardener
Hotlines for help or contact the Master Gardeners Club in
your area.
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