WSU Extension unveils food-recycling ‘worm chalet’ in Skagit County

Inside their new chalet-style home near Burlington, thousands of worms are dining on food waste from the local Extension office, converting it to valuable soil while helping curb greenhouse emissions.

Washington State University's Skagit County Extension team cut the ribbon Wednesday, Sept. 25, to dedicate what volunteers have dubbed the "worm chalet."

Featuring double arched entryways, manicured paths in and out, open-air climate control, and fresh bedding, the chalet offers a life of luxury in a decadent domicile for the lucky red wiggler worms who take residence therein.

The menu at the chalet, while not Michelin-star by some standards, boasts seasonal, local organic waste, leafy greens, shredded cardboard, and overripe fruit, among other nutritious fares.

When longtime WSU Master Gardener volunteer Herta Kurp explained her vision of the worm chalet to fellow master gardeners at Skagit County Extension, she was initially met with some skepticism.

"'A worm chalet?' they asked me. 'Really?'" Kurp chuckled.

After she showed the master gardeners her architectural plans and explained her vision, they were convinced: This was a meaningful project that would benefit people, plants, and the community through food waste reduction and compost generation.

"In the short amount of time that we've had this worm chalet, we've converted nearly 100 pounds of food waste," said WSU Skagit County Master Gardener Coordinator Alex duPont. "Factoring for varying levels of food waste depending on the season, in one year we estimate over 1,000 pounds of organic material will be recycled."

Food waste and loss is a significant issue in the United States. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, about 35% of the country's produced food ends up in the landfill. Washington state alone generates more than 1 million tons of food waste each year, according to the Washington State Department of Ecology.

Uneaten landfill waste is compressed beneath layers of garbage. Under anaerobic conditions it rots, creating methane, a potent greenhouse gas.

"We're already seeing the ripple effect of our work," duPont said. "What we do on a small scale here is great, keeping the organic waste out of the landfill, but we're also practicing the strategies that we teach the public about, and we're generating a lot of curiosity from those who see it."

In fact, the nearby port and Skagit Valley College have already inquired about getting one of their own.

The worm chalet is one of several steps WSU Skagit County Extension has recently taken to reduce food loss. The groundwork for composting with worms, or vermicomposting, was laid two years prior by WSU Extension Associate Professor Diane Smith, who focuses on food access and health promotion in Skagit County. Smith pitched her Extension office on the value of pulling together to reduce food waste.

Each year since, the Skagit County Extension office has observed the upcoming International Day of Awareness on Food Loss and Waste Reduction, held Sept. 29 every year since 2020, as well as April's National Food Waste Prevention Week, April 7-13.

For Kurp, she understands the hesitation many have toward composting. The chalet's solid design and beauty were always going to be important aspects that made composting more approachable.

"When people think of worms, they sometimes think they're gross; when they think of food waste, they sometimes categorize it as garbage; when they think of soil, they think it's dirty," said Kurp.

"But when you mix those things together under one roof, you end up with valuable, dark, beautiful compost, and you know you've done something meaningful toward reducing food waste."