Monarch Grove 4th and 5th grade students have been involved in school-wide vermicomposting for approximately seven years now. They have been fortunate enough to have active parent volunteers to look after the program and build the worm bin right next to the lunch area. At Monarch Grove, they start the school year by teaching the students what goes into the 3 lunch waste collection bins — compost, recycling and garbage. Parent volunteers and select 4th and 5th grade students dig the hole to bury the food waste and also monitor the lunch waste bins. They collect the food waste from both the student lunch waste and the salad bar every day, but they bury it three days a week. The finished compost is used in the school garden and also sold at the school’s open house. Garden team member Jessie Gade recommends getting the students to take this on as their own project for a better connection and buy-in. Having the custodians on board is also very helpful.