Final report for FS22-344
Project Information
The proposed solution for fixing eroded and degraded soil is finding ways to naturally and sustainably create new soil, while also revitalizing existing soil. Bokashi is a relative newcomer to the field of nutrient recycling. It involves the anaerobic fermentation of material by lactobacillus bacteria. Many consider it more user-friendly than traditional compositing because the use of bokashi fermentation allows the farmer/consumer to utilize a wider range of food waste inputs (such as citrus, alliums, bone, fat, and other animal by-products) in the creation of the composting medium.
To that end, this project plans to investigate how using bokashi-fermented food waste to enhance traditional vermicomposting efforts can improve overall soil health in terms of increasing soil organic matter, biota, and nutrient density. Hypothetically, the increased biological activity of the fermented food waste will be a benefit that will increase biological activity in the worm bin outputs. These outputs will be used as soil amendments, via vermicompost, to introduce supportive biota that will enhance the soil food web. Having healthy soil reduces the need for off-farm inputs. Having healthy soil enhances the nutrient density of food and it results in improved yields for the farmer. If the proposed hypothesis is correct, the fermentation of food waste could prove invaluable in the world-wide campaign to build soil and heal the land.
As part of the project, Trefoil Gardens will establish food-waste collection sites at ten (10) of the neighborhood cooperative locations. Participants will collect their food waste for a week at a time, before being retrieved. One-half of the households will bokashi-ferment their food waste. The other half will store their food waste in a similar sealed container but without fermentation. To attempt to account for the dietary differences of the included family units, the participating households will alternate their food waste storage methods on a monthly basis. Therefore, each household will provide both bokashi-fermented and unfermented inputs over the course of the experiment. In addition, while bokashi fermentation can handle non-vegan inputs (i.e. meat, bones, dairy, etc.), we are asking participants to include only plant-based food waste.
The unfermented food waste will be fed to a continuous flow-through worm bin divided in half. The other will be fed the bokashi fermented food waste, following the completion of its fermentation cycle. Feeding will take place on an as-needed basis. When fed, both sides of the bin will be fed the same amount of their respective foods. The two sides will be separated by a divider with holes for the worms to migrate through should conditions in one area of the bin become unfavorable. To help ensure a supportive environment for the worms, the average pH for both food waste inputs, fermented and non, will be monitored and recorded. In addition, the pH of the top two inches of the vermicompost bins will be tested prior to feeding. There will also be a pH test of the harvested material. This will give data points for tracking the pH of the inputs and how the bin handles the pH of those inputs over time. Once harvesting begins, quarterly samples will be sent off to a lab for a compost analysis along with a Solvita Color Interpretation test for microbial activity. Following completion of the timetable, all data will be compiled into a report that will be presented according to the Outreach Plan.
Research
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6/28/2022 |
Procure materials, assemble equipment. |
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8/28/2022 |
Worms added. Composting initiated. 100% worm loss within 48 hours. |
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2/23/2023 |
Second attempt. Installed worms into worm bins. Allow a week to establish before starting treatments. |
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3/31/2023 |
Begin scheduled batches of bokashi fermented garden waste bi-weekly. |
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4/14/2023 |
Add materials to worm bins per methodology. Begin testing pH, buffering as needed, prior to feeding. |
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8/4/2023 |
Continue adding materials to worm bins per methodology. Begin testing pH, buffering as needed, prior to feeding and send sample to Logan Labs for testing. (Quarterly moving forward.) |
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12/4/2023 |
Continue adding materials to worm bins per methodology. Begin testing pH, buffering as needed, prior to feeding and send sample to Logan Labs for testing. |
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4/6/2024 |
Continue adding materials to worm bins per methodology. Begin testing pH, buffering as needed, prior to feeding and send sample to Logan Labs for testing. |
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8/4/2024 |
Continue adding materials to worm bins per methodology. Begin testing pH, buffering as needed, prior to feeding and send sample to Logan Labs for testing. |
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12/1/2024 |
Continue adding materials to worm bins per methodology. Begin testing pH, buffering as needed, prior to feeding and send sample to Logan Labs for testing. |
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3/1/2025 |
Video Project and Process |
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3/15/25 |
Complete sampling and data entry. |
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3/30/2025 |
Completion of video and project |
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Ongoing |
Collection of materials, fermentation of some, and worm bin maintenance. |
Narrative of Challenges
The first challenge our team encountered was the loss of our worm population. Our first attempt at populating the worm bins, which are located in one of the farm’s greenhouses, began in August. Conditions in the greenhouse became too warm during the time when the population was getting established. In addition, water was added to the substrate material, which contained an excess of nitrogenous material - specifically rabbit droppings and coffee chaff from the roasting process. Together the moisture, heat, and nitrogen initiated the composting process, further elevating temperatures, which caused the total loss of our first batch of worms within 48 hours.
Our second attempt at populating the bins, which was initiated in February, has been a success. However, water access is limited at the site in the winter months, while there is no access to electricity for lights or fans.
Successes
This project prompted the successful construction of both a greenhouse and a large, roughly 2’x2’x8’ worm bin. The second worm population has become established and appears to be thriving. Feed material processing is underway as are climate mitigation techniques to manage temperature concerns as we move into the warmer months. Solutions being pursued are high albedo ground cover to reflect solar energy, and a solar powered fan system to help maintain consistent conditions..
Current State of Affairs
Currently, a 55 gallon barrel of garden waste is fermenting with bokashi inoculated bran. The worms in the bin were left to acclimate to their surroundings, which is proving successful. During this period, small ants have attempted to colonize the bin, which suggests the moisture level was too low. The ants do not appear to bother the worms, but they do function as competition for food.
Anticipated Next Steps
Worm bin moisture levels will be maintained at a higher level to deter ant colonization. Baseline samples of the casting material will be sent to the laboratory for testing. When the barrel ferment is ready, its pH will be checked and buffered, if necessary.
As we enter the testing and comparison stage, a fresh sample of garden input material, harvested in advance, will be fed to the non-bokashi, control, side of the bin. The bokashi-fermented inputs will be utilized on the experimental worm populations. Our team will pull castings samples every three months, from each side of the bid, going forward and will send to the lab for testing and comparison.
Annual SARE Report 2024
Project Overview:
This year presented several challenges for our team on this project. The transition in project leadership and methodology adjustments required significant effort and adaptation. Despite these obstacles, we have structured a plan to proceed effectively.
Project Progress and Adjustments:
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Leadership Transition:
- The project experienced a leadership change when Matthew Read, the former head of the team, resigned.
- Rob assumed leadership without prior experience with earthworm or bokashi systems, necessitating comprehensive research and development of a new system.
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Methodology Implementation:
- Equal parts of mixed fresh and composted inputs are utilized to fill a 50-gallon compost tumbler and a 50-gallon bokashi bucket.
- The tumbler is turned regularly, and the bokashi bucket is layered with EM-1 grains and left to ferment.
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Composting and Testing:
- After 3-5 weeks, equal parts of material from each composter are placed on top of respective worm bins.
- Remaining material is cycled through a 3-bin hot composter.
- This process is repeated with new material.
- Quarterly samples are taken and analyzed, with "Total Nitrogen" tests performed by our local County Extension office to better indicate living organisms in the worm castings.
Challenges and Solutions:
- The lack of initial communication and training required Rob to undertake independent research and system design.
- Despite these setbacks, we applied for and were granted a one-year extension to our project timeline.
- The extension ensures sufficient labor hours and material funds to cover the project needs during this period.
Outlook:
Our team remains committed to the success of the SARE project. We have taken proactive steps to address the challenges faced and are optimistic about the potential impact of our research. We appreciate your understanding and consideration of our extension request, which will significantly contribute to the project's overall success and relevance.
Budget and Resource Management:
- The project budget has been managed to ensure enough resources remain for the extended period.
- Efficient allocation of labor hours and material funds is prioritized to meet project objectives.
Conclusion:
Despite the initial setbacks, the project is on track with a revised and robust methodology. The team is dedicated to achieving the project's goals and contributing valuable insights into composting systems and sustainable agriculture practices.
2024 SARE Research Project Annual Report:
The previous year was challenging for our team in this project:
Project partner Matthew Read (head of this team) had personal issues that went unresolved for an
extended period before he finally resigned from the team.
It was further complicated by an arbitrary and un-documented methodology.
No communication or training was offered to Rob, who was taking over the project, and since Rob had no
experience with this or any other earthworm or bokashi system, research had to be undertaken and a
workable system designed and implemented.
In light of the above listed unforeseen challenges , we applied for and were granted a 1 year extension on
our project. As of now, we have enough labor hours and materials funds remaining in our project budget
to cover our needs during the proposed extension period.
Despite the setbacks, our team is committed to the success of the SARE project. We have taken the
necessary steps to address the challenges faced and are optimistic about the potential impact of our
research. We appreciate your understanding and consideration of our extension request, which will
contribute to the overall success and relevance of the project.
Moving forward, we will proceed according to the following methodology:
1. Equal parts of the same mixed fresh and composted inputs will fill a 50-gallon compost tumbler and a
50-gallon bokashi bucket.
The tumbler will be turned regularly, and the bokashi bucket will be layerd with EM-1 grains as it is
filled, then left to ferment.
2. After a period of 3-5 weeks, equal parts of the materials from each composter and placed on top of the
respective worm bins. Any remaining material will be cycled thru our 3-bin hot composter.
3. Above process will repeat, with new material being utilized in the same manner.
4. We will perform samples at the time of feeding these inputs, and utilize our local County Extension
office, who is able to add a “Total Nitrogen” test to our results, better indicating living organisms in the
worm castings.
Worms were replaced in early June, and are being fed a steady diet of fresh food waste.
We will take our first sample in early July to establish a new baseline, and, per project procedures, we will
test again in 5 weeks, and again every 5 weeks as we continue to add fresh bokashi/ control inputs to the
system, until weather forces the worms to slow down eating. We will film one of these feedings and create
a short video explaining our hypothesis and the methodology.
Once the system has settled in for the winter, we’ll perform a final sample for the season.
In Feb/ March 2025, we perform our last sample and will film another video presenting the findings of
our project.
Both videos will be published on our website and submitted to Southern SARE, along with all relevent
documents and a final report, as the completion of this research project.
Final Report 2025
Analyzing our samples
Refer to SARE 822618 Spreadsheet and Charts pg 1 and 2 for more information.
The first and perhaps biggest difference we noticed from sample A and B is the carbon levels, which were fairly consistent in the test subjects across the entire project:
The (perhaps) more rapid pre-decomposition that takes place in fermentation, or perhaps variability in watering techniques, created a more carbon rich vermicompost in the Bokashi samples. While this may be a desirable addition to a newly-tilled garden, or conversion from a lawn to a garden bed ("planting pocket" in "lasagna method" or otherwise), it is less desirable as an addition to an existing garden.
The watering techniques variable we mentioned in previous reports could play a major factor on these numbers:
We were soaking past the point of saturation for the periods when we had the ant infestations, really focusing on discouraging the ants from continuing to live in the box, and not necessarily on equalizing the volume of leachate we created in the process. We did create a LOT of leachate- gallons and gallons of it- which was not tested but was utilized as a soil drench in garden beds and added to other compost systems.
Secondly, the Nitrogen levels in our samples (only measured in the last 3 samples) indicated initial higher organic life activity in the bokashi sample, but it became more-or-less even as the experiment proceeded. This, compiled with Carbon to offer a C/N ratio that, by the end of the experiment, equalized.
For macronutrients, we observed consistently higher Calcium, Magnesium, and Potassium in the non-bokashi samples, and, perhaps not coincidentally, higher sodium levels in the bokashi samples. This would be consistent with the higher nitrogen readings in the bokashi samples, and may indicate more microbial activity in the first samples, where nitrogen was not measured.
Lastly, we did see a slight difference in pH across the samples, although, as an amendment, the pH levels may not be as important as carbon and nitrogen, they may play a part in the nutrient availability to feed the microbes in the samples, which may affect other measurements. pH was higher in all samples except one, which may also be due to the watering issue discussed previously.
In conclusion, this experiment was inconclusive, and the additional expense and bother associated by using bokashi as a vermicompost input may not offer enough benefit to support its use.
This experiment may be reproduced, and see different results that we present here.
If one wishes to do so, we recommend modifying the experiment as follows:
1. situating the vermicompost bin(s) in a more climate-controlled environment.
2. measuring water inputs and leachate (volume and, perhaps, testing the leachate samples for pH, minimally)
3. maintaining a consistent testing method and lab throughout the experiment.
Our biggest takeaways are to always make sure any partner is fully committed to a project before agreeing to work with them, and that that project should be of some significant interest to us as well, so that we can offer better support or replacement to that partner if things "go south". Through the process of taking over this project, we learned enough about on-farm-research to understand that it is much too involved for a farmer with our scale and capacity to effectively take on. While we do hope to have the "bandwith" to one day re-engage with on-farm research, we are happy now to call this project complete.
Educational & Outreach Activities
Participation Summary:
A video was developed and posted outlining the comparisons between traditional vermicompost and bokashi/vermicompost systems to boost the qualify of the finished castings, improving the farm's ability to be self-sustaining.