Worm Farming, Composting & Soil Health Masterclass with Brian “The Worm Man”

Most of us know we should be doing something better with our food scraps, garden waste and soil health… but sometimes it all feels a little overwhelming.

Worm farms sound simple until they smell, go soggy, attract bugs or just don’t seem to work. Composting sounds easy until the pile sits there doing absolutely nothing. And then there are compost teas, microbes, black soldier flies and all the other things we hear about but may not fully understand how to use properly in a home garden.

This workshop is designed to take the confusion out of it.

Join Brian Donaldson, better known as Brian “The Worm Man”, for a practical, hands-on masterclass at Trevallan Lifestyle Centre. Brian is a commercial worm farmer, educator and waste reduction specialist who teaches people how to turn everyday organic waste into something genuinely useful for the garden.

This is not just a “how to set up a worm farm” session. It is a proper gardening and waste-diversion toolbox for people who want to understand how worm farming, composting, black soldier fly composting, microbes and compost teas can all work together to improve soil health and reduce waste at home.

What’s included

During the workshop Brian will cover:

Worm farming at home
Learn how to start, feed and care for a home worm farm, how to avoid common problems, and how to safely use worm castings and worm farm liquid in the garden.

Hot and cold composting
Understand the difference between composting methods and how they can help manage those bigger flushes of organic waste from the kitchen and garden.

Black soldier fly composting
Discover why black soldier fly larvae are such powerful waste processors, how they can be used at home, and why they are valued as a food source for chickens and other animals.

Compost teas and castings extracts
Learn the difference between aerated teas, non-aerated teas and castings water extracts, and how to make your worm castings go much further in the garden.

Microbes and the soil microbiome
Brian will introduce the role microbes play in soil and plant health, and why healthy soil is about more than just adding fertiliser.

Common bugs in worm farms and compost systems
Take a closer look at some of the insects and bugs often found in worm farms and compost, what they tell us, and when they may need managing.

Practical demonstrations and resources
Brian brings along props and demonstration equipment, including tea brewers and examples of different systems. Participants will also receive virtual resources to refer back to after the workshop.

Each participant will also receive an empty tea bag so they can make a brew at home.

Workshop details

Investment: $80 per person
Location: Trevallan Lifestyle Centre, Brassall
Date: Saturday 25th July 2026
Time: 9am - 12:30pm
Bookings: Essential, as spaces are limited.

This workshop is ideal for home gardeners, veggie growers, permaculture-minded gardeners, chicken keepers, compost-curious households, and anyone who wants to reduce waste while building healthier soil.

Come along, ask questions, bring your worm farm problems, and leave with a much clearer understanding of how to turn waste into one of the most valuable resources in your garden.

About your facilitator

Brian Donaldson, also known as Brian “The Worm Man”, is a full-time professional educator and commercial worm farmer based in Collingwood Park.

With qualifications in horticulture, waste management and education, Brian delivers practical workshops focused on worm farming, composting, waste reduction, sustainability and eco-friendly gardening.

He is also a Brisbane City Council Certified Master Composter and works with councils, libraries, schools, community gardens and garden clubs to teach people how to reduce landfill waste and turn organic material into valuable resources for the garden.

Brian’s workshops are known for being practical, hands-on and easy to understand, with plenty of real examples, props and time for questions.

Contact the host of Learn Worms and Compost

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