Patricia Field has been composting for over 30 years, long before household waste reduction became common practice. What began as a practical part of gardening slowly grew into a deeper awareness of environmental responsibility, shaped by mentors, neighbors, and her own experiences with health and sustainability. This year, Patricia introduced a new element to her routine: indoor vermicomposting with red wriggler worms. Inspired by local gardeners and community workshops, she started her worm farm as a way to become more self-sufficient and to create nutrient rich castings for her plants while cutting down on plastic consumption from store-bought soil amendments.

Her setup is simple: opaque bins with air holes, shredded paper and leaves for bedding, and a steady supply of kitchen scraps like coffee grounds. Through trial and error, including a near defeating fruit fly outbreak, Patricia has learned the rhythms and preferences of her worms and developed a system that works. She describes the process as both practical and meaningful, tied to her broader efforts to “live cleaner” for her own wellbeing and for the environment.

While her children joke about the worm farm and some friends find it amusing, Patricia feels good about the small, intentional steps she takes toward sustainability. She sees composting and now vermi composting as a way to help her stay mindful of her impact, reduce waste, and participate in the community of people doing the same.