Case Study

Compost & Castings:
Exploring Reciprocity for Future Ecologies

A situated exploration of  W.O.R.M.S* 
with Lauriston Agroecology Farm and Rhyze Mushrooms, which developed into a series of creative activities and opportunities to learn about the power of compost and worms. 

Funding support:
Scotland's Plant Health Centre (2024)
The Cooperative's Carbon Innovation Fund (2025)
*because Worms Obviously Require Motivation Seasonally
Project Summary

Photo Gallery

photo credits: Temporary Commons & Rhyze Mushrooms
  • W.O.R.M.S Appreciation Day 2024 & 2025 
  • Compost and Castings Workshop Programme 2024
Wheelbarrow Soundscapes
Made in collaboration with participants in response to the project's themes of Deep Time, Reciprocity and Future Ecologies. 

​This audio installation was placed in three wheelbarrows loaded with the new vermicompost system's bedding materials (straw, cardboard, woodchip) to provide a surreal soundscape for the ceremony. 
​
Audio design prompt: Marianne Stranger
Audio edit: Emma Brierley 
Voices: Ben Frimet, Emma Brierley, Gabriel Harrell, Jane Ronie, Jemima Thewes, Jossie Ellis, Mark Saunders, Nigel Bochan, Susannah MacMillan.

Worm Odes

Project Outcomes 
Which has led to:
  • Increased local knowledge of biosecurity linked to agroecology, compost, vermiculture and soil health in the programme's multi-generational attendees which included gardeners and allotment holders (non-commercial growers)​
  • Technical skill development: microscopy, tool care, vermiculture, composting​
  • The publication of two digital booklets to support open-source knowledge sharing
  • Continued project resourcing via the Cooperative's Carbon Innovation Fund (2025 - 27) which will support Lauriston Agroecology Farm's land partners Rhyze Mushrooms to:
    • Develop a new vermiculture business producing castings for a commercial market
    • Contribute to data collection and product case studies in Scotland by running peat replacement trials with castings in propagation potting compost
    • Support ongoing Compost and Castings community engagement in North Edinburgh 

Qualitative Feedback includes:
"Lovely mix of learning, sharing and creative prompts"

"From the moment we arrived and strapped on our worm party hats and got stuck in to the crafts, to the moment we stumbled out laughing full of delicious soup and bread and wonderful worm facts, we had the best time ever"

​"Special thanks to you all for putting on such a rip-roaringly silly and enjoyable day"

"Aesthetically, keeping the colours to a worm and soil-inspired pallete helped us to navigate the signage and generally brought the event all together, so massive respect for that decision!"

"Both of us were big mad geeks for biodiversity and nature already, but we were overjoyed to learn some brand new stuff with WORM! FACTS! and to see some previously known things brought to life... the sounds emanating from the worm bedding wheelbarrows was an epic part of the day."

"Generosity of knowledge, clarity of communication"

​"Following our visit (and for the rest of the weekend), we marvelled at how varied, engaging and creative the various elements of the day were; it really felt like a super-collaborative effort."
​
Project Publications
Engaging the Community on Plant Health at Lauriston Farm
https://www.planthealthcentre.scot/blog/engaging-community-plant-health-lauriston-farm
​
A Look Back at Compost and Castings, and W.O.R.M.S Appreciation Day
https://www.lauristonfarm.scot/news/a-look-back-at-compost-and-castings-and-w-o-r-m-s-appreciation-day/

Creative and Cultural Community Engagements 2024 Report
https://heyzine.com/flip-book/4c33b077e2.html&nbsp

Compost & Castings Digital Booklet
​An Introduction to Soil Life Digital Booklet