The Memoirs of a Worm Farmer

By Natalie Tan

Hi everyone!

It’s hard to believe this is my final week here. As sad as it is, all good things must come to an end, even worm-related careers. As I wrap things up, I’ve been reflecting on everything I’ve experienced with the team. I wanted to use this last newsletter piece to give you all the inside scoop on what it’s been like working as a worm farmer, some of the highs and lows along the way, and a few of my favorite memories and lessons learned before I say goodbye… and worm on.

Work that keeps things moving: 

Being a worm farmer is definitely not your average 9–5, I can assure you. When I first started, I had no idea what to expect. Every day in that first week was completely different, and even now, there’s never a dull moment. If someone had told me I’d become a farmer for worms, I would have laughed. But here I am, and still laughing, just for different reasons.

The job is exactly what it sounds like: feeding worms, checking their bins, and harvesting compost, but that’s only part of it. Working in a small business also meant jumping between editorial work, operations, production, and research and development, sometimes all in the same day. No two days are alike, and that variety is honestly what makes this job so much fun.

Messy moments, memorable wins: 

With a job this varied, some days were pure wins and some days got messy (literally). I’ll never forget the time I had to order a lift truck without having any idea what one was, or the day worms decided to escape mid-bin flip. On the flip side, the highs were just as memorable: flipping a perfect bin of compost, nailing a tricky project, or sharing a laugh with the team while juggling a dozen tasks. Each day was a rollercoaster, but it always left me with stories I’ll remember for years to come.

Growth in unexpected places: 

Looking back, it’s the lessons and little insights I’ll carry with me the most. I learned that patience really pays off, whether waiting for compost to be ready or for a process to go smoothly. Adaptability and problem-solving became second nature, and sometimes the messiest situations taught me the most. Most importantly, I discovered that even a job that seems strange at first can teach you about teamwork, resilience, and finding joy in the unexpected.

Before I sign off, I just want to thank the team, Jocelyn, Shani, and Prius, and of course the worms! Thank you so much for the opportunity to learn, grow, and laugh while contributing to something that really makes a difference. I’ll also never look at a banana peel the same way ever again.

Bye!