Farm Diversification

Many market outlets exist and it is advisable to have multiple outlets. One possibility is to enter into a contract with a worm company. Worm casts can be sold to garden centres or direct to consumers as a component of compost.

Though competition is likely to be fierce, there may be small local markets which can be cultivated. Worms for bait can be sold through sport or fishing centres, or directly to anglers - although the market is limited to the fishing season. Another market is for domestic compost heaps and worm bins.

Finally, there is a market to supply worms for recycling of domestic and local authority waste.

Land:
half an acre per 1,000 sq m breeding pit.

Buildings:
Not essential but could use redundant buildings

Labour:
Major requirements for bagging, processing and marketing.

Wonder Worms UK state that start-up costs for earnings to start in the first year will be around £5,000 per 1,000 sq ft (or about £54,000 per 1,000 sq m). If the worms are allowed to propagate in the first year start-up costs can be reduced to £1 per sq ft (~£10 per sq m).

Organic Resource Management is looking for contracted worm growers to satisfy its market for organic waste management. They estimate £12,500 + VAT will be needed for breeding stock, beds and equipment for a 1,000sq m unit.

Eco Group Holdings builds and stocks worm beds for its clients and then buys the worms for conversion to feed. The cost of a 1,000 sq m unit is around £6,000.

Through the Scottish Rural Development Programme (SRDP) 2007-2013 funding is now available for rural businesses throughout Scotland for diversification and renewable energy projects. Specifically, support is delivered through Rural Development Contracts – Rural Priorities which was launched in April 2008. For further information about what support is available see the Section on Rural Development Contracts – Rural Priorities.