Episode
978: Building the largest worm farm in the U.S. with Zach Brooks
- Published
- Apr 3, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 1854
- Processing state
not_requested- Canonical source
- http://www.urbanfarm.org/category/podcast
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Summary
In this Episode Zach Brooks shares how he transformed a barren cotton field into the thriving Arizona Worm Farm which is now one of the largest worm composting operations in the U.S. What began as a personal experiment in sustainability evolved into a regenerative, off-grid-inspired ecosystem that converts waste into soil, food, and community education. Zach explains how worms, compost, and black soldier flies work together to rebuild soil and produce nutrient-dense food. The conversation highlights practical, scalable solutions for local food systems using simple, accessible technologies. Our Guest: Zach semi-retired from healthcare management at the age of 42 when his consulting company went public, and when his first of three grandchildren were born, he went back to Arizona State University to get a second master's degree in sustainability. Frustrated that most causes of climate change were not only fixable, but fixable with off the shelf practices and technology, Zach set out to prove that an off-grid lifestyle could be every bit as comfortable as a wasteful lifestyle and have a positive impact on the environment. And the most exciting thing...Zach has now built Arizona Worm Farm into one of the largest most successful worm farms in the United States. What is the Arizona Worm Farm? A regenerative, working farm designed to turn food waste into compost, soil fertility, and food production while educating the community on sustainable gardening practices. How did Zach Brooks get started in worm farming? After a career in healthcare, Zach pursued a sustainability degree and became motivated to address climate challenges using practical, existing solutions. He started by rebuilding dead soil using worms. How large has the operation become? The farm produces over 4.5 mill…