Salesman becomes worm farmer

Worms will be farmed next door to cattle and sheep

A former double-glazing salesman is turning his hobby into a career opportunity and setting up as a worm farmer.

David Jones, 55, is opening the worm farm on the site of an old isolation hospital on the outskirts of Caernarfon this week.

He intends to breed millions of worms on the site to supply anglers and tackle shops and, eventually, provide a recycling facility producing organic compost.

Mr Jones has already bred 20,000 worms in his back garden in Caernarfon, and now hopes to produce more than two million within two years on the half acre of land.

As with any livestock, you need time to get to know their likes and dislikes, so it will take some time to establish the farm

David Jones, worm farmer

The worms are currently bred in stacker bins, each containing 250 worms within an area of 14 inches square.

Their bedding comprises of peat and horse manure.

The eggs are removed every month and placed in larger containers to breed.

"It started as a hobby," says Mr Jones.

"I have about 20,000 now, and as they double their numbers every month I hope to have a couple of million in about 18 months time.

Tackle shops

"I'm already supplying local anglers and a tackle shop and that is what I hope to continue to do with the farm

"In the longer-term, we hope to be ideally placed to supply anglers in Ireland and produce compost which will be an almost completely organic mixture."

Mr Jones looks after his six-year-old son at the moment after giving up the double-glazing business for health reasons.

He says he has some experience of farming, but of a more conventional variety.

"This is a rather different livestock and as with any livestock, you need time to get to know their likes and dislikes, so it will take some time to establish the farm," he says.

Gwynedd council has granted Mr Jones temporary planning permission to lease the site as a worm farm for three years.

Polytunnels

Mr Jones hopes eventually to produce several tonnes of compost from cardboard and paper broken down by his worms.

But his first task will be to make the site suitable for transferring the stock from his back yard to polytunnels on the new site which borders onto farmland outside Waunfawr.

His new neighbour, cattle farmer and contractor, Eifion Hughes, wishes the venture all the best.

"I have nothing against it," he said.

"Planning officers have been here to ask whether I had any objections, but I wish him luck.

"I'm not quite sure what uses there are for worms - I'll have to wait and see."

Mr Jones says he ultimately hopes to establish a business that will provide employment in the area.

"There is nothing for young people in this area.

"My son is six now and perhaps I can get a business going which would enable him to stay in the area when he grows up, if he wants to."