How to Sell Worm Castings Wholesale

The value of worm castings to plant growth has become more widely known to the public given continuing studies by pioneers Mary Appelhof, author of "Worms Eat My Garbage," soil ecologist Clive A. Edwards of Ohio State University and biologist Rhonda Sherman of North Carolina State University Extension. All report glossy leaves and flowers, thriving lawns and impressive vegetable yields from using worm castings. Public awareness translates into greater opportunity for worm farmers to distribute wholesale castings in volume.

Things You'll Need

  • Sell sheets
  • Web site
  • Casting samples and retail-size bags
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Instructions

    • 1

      Visit potential wholesale bulk purchasers of your worm castings such as golf courses, greenhouses, organic and wholesale flower and vegetable growers, lawn services, sod and turfgrass companies and landscape contractors, recommend Sherman and Brigid A. Doherty and John C. McKissick of the University of Georgia.

    • 2

      Meet with representatives of garden supply stores, home improvement stores, nurseries, discount chains and organic garden products companies who might purchase worm castings packaged in convenient retail sizes, such as 5-, 15- or 20-pound bags, for resale to their customers.

    • 3

      Provide your prospects with a "sell sheet" or flier listing the advantages of worm castings, your pricing, initial discounts and testimonials. Brainstorm and list uses for worm castings on its own as an amendment to lawns, flower beds, vegetable plots and flower pots or as a component mixed with soil additives.

    • 4

      Give samples to prospective clients in either small clear bags or professionally designed plastic bags holding a retail quantity of worm castings. Allow wholesale clients to sniff for themselves and note the clean, earthy odor of harvested worm castings. Close your meetings with a request for a first order or an agreed-upon date to make a followup call.

    • 5

      Advertise online to the public, via either Craigslist, neighborhood listserves or your own Web site, the availability of castings by the cubic yard to load into pickup truck beds.

    • 6

      Branch out into sales of worms themselves to bait and tackle shops, to large-scale vermicomposting facilities and institutions that vermicompost on site.

    • 7

      Diversify your wholesale operation by charging a fee to dispose of organic wastes generated by composting facilities, paper mills, breweries, canneries and similar industries. Take their garbage as an income stream and to provide food stock for your worm herd.