Department of Public Worms

INTRODUCTION

Associated Students Dept. of Public Worms is dedicated to promoting environmentally sustainable practices and educating fellow students about hot composting, vermicomposting, and closed-loop food systems. They believe these practices are excellent ways to reduce the pressure of waste on landfills, improve landscapes and gardens, and reduce the use of synthetic & artificial fertilizers. They highly value hands-on experience and aim to get our community involved first-hand through educational demonstrations and outreach events.

WORM FARMING AT UCSB

The Department of Public Worms built new raised beds to bring more food to the campus Food Bank.

 

EDIBLE CAMPUS PROGRAM

The DWP is also involved in the operations of the Edible Campus Program, a collaborative effort between the A.S. Food Bank and UCSB Sustainability that aims to turn underutilized spaces on campus into productive gardens that will supplement the student Food Bank with fresh, organic, fruits & vegetables. A project many years in the making, The Edible Campus Student Farm, will finish construction in Winter 2019 and DPW Worm Wranglers will be the farmers: planting, watering, and harvesting all the food produced to be donated to the A.S. Food Bank. DPW is proud to be able to expand its gardening endeavors to share the fruits of its labor with students.

Currently, the DPW tends the citrus and mango trees in Storke Plaza. The trees are part of the Edible Campus Program that started in summer 2015. The mangos were added in August 2016.

The DPW also manages the vertical gardens located behind the Recreation Center which produce peppers and tomatoes.

 

PARDALL CARNIVAL 2016

For the annual Pardall Carnival welcome to the community the DPW 2016-2017 team hosted Pin the Smiley Face on the Worm and showed off their DIY Worm Bin – it was a hit with students and community members.

COMPOSTING WORKSHOPS

FOOD FOR FREEDOM FESTIVAL