We interviewed Logan Williams to learn more about the Williams Worm Farm.
Tell us about yourself: We are the Williams family and have a small family-run worm farm in Wilhoit. My wife Robin and our kids, Ellie, Garrett and Blaine all play a role in our success, including helping at the market.
What do you sell? Our products are worms, worm castings and worm tea. Everyone is familiar with worms, but we do offer a lot of education at our booth. A common question we receive is, “What are worm castings?” The simple answer is- it is worm poop. Castings are the waste product that have been broken down by bacteria and fungi, then secreted by the worms. Castings are natures organic fertilizer that contain nitrogen, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, trace minerals, humic acid, fungi and bacteria. Worm tea is worm castings on steroids. We start with well water, this important so it is not chlorinated, then we put compost and worm castings in a large tea bag and add molasses to feed the microbes. We then brew it for 36 hours by pumping air into the bottom of the tank to agitate and provide oxygen to the microbes. Feeding and aerating the tea allows us to grow large amounts of beneficial bacteria and fungi. The tea boost the microbiological activity of the soil in turn boosting your plants ability to use these nutrients.
How long have you been in business? We’ve been raising worms for three years and a little over six months ago, officially became a worm farm business.
How long have you been a vendor at PFM? We’ve been a vendor for going on 5 months now and attend regularly.
How would you describe one of your products to someone who has never tried it before? Worm castings are nature’s living fertilizer; it’s literally garden gold! They boost your soil by bringing it to life with living beneficial microorganisms. All of our products are alive!
How do your products differ from store bought products? They are fresh microorganisms which can’t be kept alive in a bottle or bag on a shelf for extended time at a store.
What is your top selling product? It is different every week. One Saturday we sell mostly castings then the next it might be more worms.
What is special about your business? What sets us apart is that we are a worm farm! That, in and of itself is special. There are not a lot of worm farms around here selling to the public. You would be surprised though, at how many people come tell us about their small worm farm they have at home, almost like they are embarrassed to tell people, but since we do it, they are excited to tell us. There’s no shame in the worm game!
What are your business plans for the future? We plan to continue to expand and teach people about the benefits of improving your soil naturally, not chemically. Chemical fertilizer helps produce one good harvest and kills your soil. Living soil continues to produce amazing crops season after season. My dream is to be like a smaller version of the Arizona Worm Farm; that is a neat place.
Why is supporting local agriculture and business important to you? Supporting local keeps our money local and keeps our small farms and businesses going, which may be a necessity one these days. In addition, fresh/local tastes better and is healthier.
What is your favorite product to buy from another PFM vendor? We really enjoy Surf’s Up Salsa and Los Reyes/Reyes Farm’s breakfast burritos. My daughter loves Juniper Farms’ flowers.
What is your favorite market memory? We love the returning customers; whether it is to buy again or to tell us about using our product, it’s always a great interaction. But our favorite returning customers are the ones that return after asking lots of questions at a previous market. They go home and prepared a raised bed or garden, did research, then come back to buy a product and jump in!
How do you typically prepare to attend the market? The honest answer is by staying up way too late Friday night getting ready. Thursday night we start brewing worm tea. Friday, I get home from work, water our compost windrows, feed our breeder trays of worms, inspect the older trays that are ready to sell to pick the ones out to bring to the market. Then we harvest castings from our big bin and screen 30-40 gallons of castings. Then we load everything we can that night and the rest Saturday morning.
Do you vend at other markets? No, we don’t attend other markets than PFM, just yet.
Do you have a “fun fact” about yourself, your business or product? My wife, Robin, actually started the first small tiered worm farm in our house. I later got interested, researched and ran with it.
What else would you like customers to know about you and your business? We are a young, small worm farm but we didn’t start out to sell worms or castings. We started out trying to improve our own garden soil, and it worked great, so we gave some to family and friends and realized nobody locally has a worm farm selling products. We love the Arizona Worm Farm and hope that maybe we could grow to that and someday be to the Prescott area what they are to Phoenix.
How can customers stay in touch? Follow Williams Worm Farm on Instagram and Facebook to see what’s happening and visit us in person, on Saturdays at PFM.
