If Bill Borsboom had his way, every house in Hastings would have a wormfarm and he's doing his best to help people achieve that goal.
About five years ago, the 80year-old Hastings man thought he could find a use for a couple of steel drums he brought home.
"My wife
told me to get rid of the drums and when I walked inside there was something on TV about wormfarms. So I came up with the idea of cutting them in half and building a couple of worm farms," Mr Borsboom said.
"I built one for myself, then for the neighbours, then for some friends and it just grew from there."
Hastings District Council and Sustaining Hawke's Bay Trust hoped Mr Borsboom's story would inspire others as part of the Sus'd campaign, which aims to encourage people to reduce their impact on the environment.
It was also hoped Mr Borsboom's experience and knowledge would rub off on others as the tradition of skills passed down from each generation was becoming rare.
Mr Borsboom reckons he's built about 600 wormfarms. Most had been given away or sold for just enough money to cover his costs. He was not in it for the money but was keen to do something for the environment.
"It just began as a hobby. I show people how to make them and give them some worms. The worms have become very expensive now," he said.
Mr Borsboom has nine worm- farms working at his home, a system he uses to breed worms which he gives away to those looking to set up worm farms.
"The cheapest wormfarm I've seen comes in just under $100 and the dearest over $200, but you still have to buy worms (as well)," he said.
Mr Borsboom said wormfarms were easy to set up, only took up about half a square metre of space and the "worm tea" or liquid, which settled in the bottom layer, was ideal to put on gardens.
"It also saves a lot of rubbish bags because food scraps can be used in the wormfarm and you can have plant food which is the best in the world.
"I just think every house in Hastings should have a wormfarm."
Mr Borsboom said schools often asked him to help pupils set up wormfarms and he was happy to pass on his knowledge.
If Bill Borsboom had his way, every house in Hastings would have a wormfarm and he's doing his best to help people achieve that goal.
About five years ago, the 80year-old Hastings man thought he could find a use for a couple of steel drums he brought home.
"My wife
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