SILVER CITY-The Grant County Cooperative Extension Service along with NMSU Cooperative Extension, 4-H Youth Development Program was awarded a grant earlier in the year to teach students all about vermicomposting. The schools that participated in the program were Stout Elementary and Harrison Schmitt. Students learned about the parts of the worm, different types of worms, how they decompose material into organic matter and were able to make worm bins that they kept in their classrooms. The six-week program allowed students to learn about agriculture using science, technology, engineering and math. 

The six-week program ended with Grant County 4-H Program Assistant, Tenisha Fell bringing one of the worm bins from the classroom and letting the students dig around in the compost to find the worms. The students enjoyed getting dirty and the sounds of excitement could be heard as they sifted through the compost dirt to find the worms that they had been learning about and taking care of over the six-week period.

“Programs like these are how I learned from a young age that I loved agriculture and wanted to be involved in it,” said Grant County 4-H/Ag Agent Jessica Swapp. “This was an extraordinary learning experience for everyone involved” added Tenisha Fell. Tractor Supply and All Glass MD supported the project by providing extra materials that were needed to complete the program. “Along with our Egg to Chick program we hope to offer programs like this again next year” Swapp said. New Mexico State University is an equal opportunity / affirmative action employer and educator. NMSU and the U.S. Department of Agriculture cooperating.