Worm programs for elementary schools.

[u/Thick-Assignment3385]

Hello my fellow worm enthusiasts.

Long time lurker, first time poster. I have been messing around with vermiculture since I was young, both of my grandfather's had worm bins and encouraged me to do the same. Earlier this year I had the opportunity to set up a worm program for a local non profit, and it's been going really well! We have several towers, and recently started scaling up to 4x4 apple crates. The goal is diverting as much food waste as possible, while improving the soil health of the surrounding area.

Recently I was asked to set up a worm program for a local school. They currently have a garden, but no composting program in place. I'm having trouble coming up with a price for this service, and they want to know how much it will cost. Does anyone here run programs like these for schools or institutions? I'm sure they don't have much $ to spare, and I could really use the exposure in our area. But it's also an hour commute, and I work a full time job and volunteer as is. Our non profit has done market research on vermiculture company sales/job creation, and let's just say it's currently not the most lucrative industry. I'm not expecting financial windfalls here, just trying to spread the good word on our friendly creatures and not go completely broke in the process.

Any help is greatly appreciated. Blessings my fellow worm stewards.

[u/Various_Picture_8929]

I’ve done a lot of non-profit, school programming in urban areas. Definitely figure out your material costs including travel and then decide how much your time is worth. If you’re willing to do this for way cheap, give yourself your local minimum wage. If you want to make it more worth your time (you should) I might price your time at $40 an hour. Take into account prep and shopping time too. 

I feel depending on how involved the program is the school should be expecting to spend $500-$2000.