2014 Annual Report for YENC14-077
Integrating High Tunnel Vermicomposting in a High School Science Curriculum
Summary
WORK ACTIVITIES
Scattergood Friends School Life Sciences teacher Mike Severino completed a course in compost analysis and microscopy at the Living Soil Compost Laboratory in Fairfield, IA. We purchased four microscopes and immediately began various soil and compost analysis with Biology and Advanced Biology classes.
In the high tunnel we began digging one of the worm pits, but were beset by repeated spring flooding. It soon became apparent that we cannot now safely house worms in the high tunnel soil unless we do some flood mitigation. We plan to dig in a tile drainage system around and possibly inside our high tunnel in the spring of 2015, hopefully solving this challenge. We will then resume excavating the worm pits and constructing the raised beds.
In spite of these challenges, we have continued to expand our vermicomposting system, doubling our capacity in the past year. We are also looking at alternative above-ground systems in case our high tunnel continues to flood.
A Scattergood senior, as part of a Farm Experimentation course, is currently conducting trials of 12 different compost media compositions (different ratios or food waste, paper, and livestock bedding) and learning how to efficiently extract leachate and produce humic acid.
Though we have run into some roadblocks in the high tunnel, I feel that we have made significant progress on learning how to create good worm habitats, analyzing our soil and compost, and are in the process of learning how to optimally use the products of vermicomposting. In 2015 we will continue scaling up our system and devising ways to analyze effects through production trials in the high tunnel raised beds.
OUTREACH
Several Scattergood Friends School classes have already benefitted from this grant. Biology and Advanced Biology classes have begun microscope analyses of our composts and soils. Farm Sciences classes have helped dig the pits. Several Scattergood May Term and Ceramics classes were also involved in excavating. Likely all of Scattergood’s 50 students have been involved in some way on this Project.
Taproot Nature Experience has made over 10 trips to the Scattergood Farm in the past year and have spent much time analyzing our vermicomposting system and have even done some digging in the high tunnel. Approximately 60 young people, ranging from ages 3-12 have taken part in these activities.
We have not yet held a field day since receiving this grant but will likely host a Practical Farmers of Iowa Field Day in 2015.
WORK PLAN FOR 2015
In 2015 we will lay tile in and around our high tunnel, complete excavation and construction of two in-ground vermicomposting pits, build eight raised beds in the high tunnel, submit initial soil tests and begin a production trial in the fall. Classroom analysis and trial design will continue.