The Arizona Worm Farm: Turning Garbage Into Gardens

There’s something magical about walking into a place where food scraps and “waste” get transformed into life-giving soil. That’s exactly what I experienced at The Arizona Worm Farm in Phoenix — a 10-acre urban farm on a mission to turn garbage into food.

Using Red Wiggler Worms, Black Soldier Flies, and hot compost piles, this farm takes what the Valley throws away and turns it into natural gardening products, vegetable starts, and fresh produce.

And let me tell you — it’s larger and more inspiring than I imagined.

First Impressions

From the moment I arrived, I was struck by the thoughtful layout of the farm. Every staff member was knowledgeable, friendly, and ready to help.

They’ve even created a “worm petting space” (yes, really!) that makes this a hands-on experience for visitors of all ages.

I loved learning that they host school field trips, self-guided tours, private tours, and a variety of hands-on classes.

It’s a teaching facility in the truest sense — a place where you can roll up your sleeves, get curious, and leave with ideas you didn’t have the courage to try before.

What I Took Home

Of course, I couldn’t resist doing a little “gardening shopping spree.” I came home with:

• 300 Red Wigglers for my garden beds (in-bed vermicomposting for the win!)

• Soil, compost, and mulch from their raised bed mix

• A couple of tomato and pepper plants

• A bean pole transplant

These red wigglers are already at work in my raised beds, munching through scraps and creating worm castings — nature’s fertilizer.

And as a fun bonus, I even got to meet Angela Judd, a local Master Gardener, and picked up her new Garden Planner & Journal.

Why I’ll Go Back

The Arizona Worm Farm is more than just a place to buy soil and compost — it’s an experience. It’s proof that even our scraps can have a second life. And in my little garden, I’m already seeing the difference.

If you’re in Phoenix and looking for soil, worms, or just a little gardening inspiration, I can’t recommend it enough.