SAN DIEGO (CBS 8) - Despite efforts toward urbanization, Ramona is still sprouting its rural roots. Cows feed, farms flourish and ranches sprawl. It is here on an Arabian horse ranch that Sharon McLachlan tends to her flock.
"Eisenia felida -- the population probably doubles every 30 to 60 days," she said.
Welcome to Sharon's Worm World, a world she shares with her husband John. This world starts with a fresh bed for her babies.
"It's pure horse manure, it's the finest worm feed available," Sharon said.
The worms are then harvested and bagged and sold in 10-pound bags at garden shops like Walter Andersen Nursery. Sharon sells over 2,000 bags a year.
"They aerate the soil, they deposit worm casting, which is the best fertilizer you can get," Sharon said. "Just keeps your soil alive."
"They cannot stand the light, so they are definitely going to bury themselves immediately," John said.
Fertilizing plants wasn't this ranch's original intention.
"Her idea was for me to have worms to fish," John said.
"It just got carried away. He said, 'I want some worms to go fishing,'" Sharon said.
Sharon would love to share her world with you.
"People can always come up here and buy it. We encourage people to come and bring your kids and let them learn how to raise worms," she said.
There's a lesson to be learned here in rural Ramona. Namely, when life gives you horse manure, turn it into worms.
Sharon's Worm World
310 Creelman Lane
Ramona, CA 92065
(760) 788-4423
