Mgadlela Worm Farm Installation

Began May ‘22 

Introduction

Hemp Nation has been committed to organic farming practices, prioritizing the use of organic fertilizers like worm tea. Unfortunately, due to unforeseen circumstances, our previous source of worm tea was discontinued in 2021. While we were fortunate to have a supply on hand, this resource is finite. To ensure a sustainable future, we’ve relocated a donated worm farm container to Mgadlela Farm.

Initial Aims and Objectives

• Continue the use of organic worm tea fertiliser for research.
• Start worm tea production at the farm location.
• Provide a sustainable organic nutrient solution to the farm.
• Reduce fertiliser costs to the farmer.
• Build a model/recipe for home nutrient production.
• Promote/advocate the production of fertilizers on farms instead of purchasing from towns.

Delivery of Tanks to the farm!

Fast forward to the 1st of June 2023

Installation of the worm farm took place!

The base of the worm farm is built of 8 cinder blocks to raise the height of the tap which will be used to extract the worm liquid fertilizer.

Worm-rich soil fills the top container, allowing liquid to drain into a reservoir below. Bricks elevate the top container, separating the solid worm castings and soil from the liquid fertilizer.

The worms are fed green plant material sourced from the farm and are kept in optimal moisture conditions for the worms to be happy, to ensure a flow of nutrient-rich fertilizer into the reservoir.

Banana palms were added to the worm bin on June 23rd, 2023. Banana palms are known to be high in potassium and will hopefully enrich the fertilizer.

The initial liquid fertilizer, extracted from the bottom of the tank, was likely diluted due to a small worm population and potential overwatering. While not pure worm tea, it still contained valuable nutrients and was applied to the fields.

A large bag of horse manure compost was added to the worm farm on July 6th, 2023, this will hopefully add some nitrogen to the mix.

Comparing the images taken on December 8th, 2023 (above) and July 6th, 2023 (below), we can see a significant decrease in compost levels. This indicates rapid material breakdown and more refilling is necessary.

On December 8th, 2023, it was observed that 300 litres of liquid worm tea was in the tank reservoir, likely influenced by rainfall or overwatering.

The objective is that this worm tea is going to be used as soon as possible, for example on the below ploughed field before sweet potatoes and maize are planted (pictured below). We are finding that we need to test and prove that the worm tea makes a difference to crops. So far uptake of the use of worm tea is slow but the growing season is starting and we have an opportunity to show it in action.

This is an ongoing project.. check the blogs.