The Federal Government has just proposed comprehensive regulations which are designed to separate real organic food from fake organic food. I have read them and I really wonder whether we will be better informed if they are enacted. In any event, the need for these rules relates to the fact that more and more people are buying naturally grown foods. And to support this type of agriculture, you need nutrient enriched soil.

With this in mind, consider the earth worm. You see, earth worms are a composter's best friend. Earth worms are natural bio-digesters and while this isn't the prettiest thought in the world, worm waste is a commodity that it is very much in demand. Worms are just as useful in home composting operations as they are in massive commercial and institutional operations.

If you like worms, you need to know the lingo. The three key words are vermiculture, vermicomposting and castings. Vermiculture refers to commercial operations that raise composting worms for sale. Vermicomposting transforms organic waste into marketable vermicompost. Generally yard debris, food waste and sewage sludge are digested by the worms. Their nutrient rich waste is called worm castings.

These wriggly rascals thrive in certain optimal conditions. Specifically, worm users need to control moisture, temperature, food supply, pH and worm density. When conditions are proper, worms can multiply at tremendous rates. Worms are hermaphrodites; they possess both male and female reproductive organs.

"Eisenia Fetida" is one of the most commonly encountered earth worms. These worms are amazing little work horses. They are capable of consuming an amount of organic matter that is equal to half of their weight on a daily basis. Imagine a 150 pound person consuming 75 pounds of food every day (on any day other than Thanksgiving) !

Worm production can be lucrative. Companies, many of which are small start ups, raise worms which are sold to composting operations. Even successful vermicomposting operations sometimes need to replace or augment their worm population. There are many supply companies that will help aspiring worm farmers get into this business. Obviously, no investment should be made until the company and equipment have been completely researched and marketing claims have been verified.

Here are some other delicious thoughts about earth worms. First, they need to remain slimy to breathe. They breathe through their skin and if they dry up, they can suffocate.

Worms create little tunnels. The tunnels keep them cool during the day. Worms do not like to surface during the day unless it is raining. The tunnels not only help the worms, but they also serve as rainwater and nutrient channels for nearby vegetation.

When it rains, worms often leave their tunnels and travel on the earth's surface. After a rain, have you ever noticed all of the worms covering driveways and sidewalks? When the worms surface, they need to retreat below before the rain ends and the sun reappears. Otherwise, they can dry out and die. You have probably noticed many stranded worms following heavy rains.

These high protein little friends are consumed by robins and rodents. When worms are attacked, they have mechanisms which allow them to adhere to their surroundings. If a robin detaches a part of a worm, the remaining part may continue to live. If the head is taken, a new head may grow back.

The term earth worm is really a general term, as it applies to over 1000 species of worms. Though most worms that we see are several inches long, some tropical worms can be ten feet long or longer.

Different kinds of worms work different layers of the earth. Some worms are more likely to remain within the upper levels of the soil, and thus will only enrich those levels. Other worms tend to tunnel more deeply and benefit deeper strata.

Home gardeners or composters should be sure to check out some books from the library that will provide additional information concerning this subject. This will enrich both mind, body and soil.

Published: March 23, 2000

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Stuart Lieberman, Esq. writes about environmental issues. He was a New Jersey Deputy Attorney General assigned to the State Department of Environmental Protection from 1986 to 1990. Currently he is a shareholder in the environmental law firm of Lieberman & Blecher, P.C., located in Princeton, New Jersey. Stuart can be reached at slieberman@liebermanblecher.com.