Sustainability in Practice: Arizona Worm Farm’s Story (Part 1)

In this inspiring first part of a two-part series on Harvesting Wisdom, host Mike McMahon sits down with Zach Brooks of Arizona Worm Farm to explore how one man transitioned from a high-powered career in management consulting to building a regenerative farm in the heart of Phoenix. Zach shares his journey of semi-retirement turned full-time mission to create a self-sustaining oasis using nothing but sunshine, rainwater, and “other people’s garbage.”

The conversation dives deep into practical strategies for vermiculture, composting, and sustainable farming practices that balance innovation with tradition. From navigating zoning restrictions and urban development challenges to experimenting with scalable worm farming systems, Zach illustrates what it means to build community resilience amid climate uncertainty.

Listeners will hear candid reflections on the emotional and financial realities of sustainability, insights from global vermiculture tours, and actionable ideas for transforming waste into thriving ecosystems.

Why Listen

At Harvesting Wisdom, we believe “We have all taken a bite out of the apple” and share a collective responsibility for cultivating a climate-smart future. This episode empowers you to:

• See how urban farming can thrive even in the desert.
• Learn how small-scale systems like worm wedges can scale into commercial production.
• Get inspired to close the gap between information and action in your own backyard.

Timely Highlights

• 00:01:07 – From Accenture partner to sustainability advocate
• 00:01:54 – The 10/10/10 vision: 10 families, 10 acres, 10 years
• 00:04:17 – Zoning challenges and family engagement in farm life
• 00:05:35 – Turning sunshine, rainwater, and waste into abundance
• 00:08:03 – Touring 25 worm farms worldwide: lessons learned
• 00:09:01 – Efficient vermiculture: wedge systems vs. continuous flow
• 00:12:44 – Urban development pressures and neighbor dynamics
• 00:17:16 – Navigating regulations while staying mission-driven
• 00:18:55 – Climate resilience: keeping worms alive in desert heat
• 00:21:28 – Electric farming equipment and solar-powered goals
• 00:23:50 – How Arizona Worm Farm meets rising compost demand
• 00:25:31 – Global stories of worm farmers and community impact

Call to Action

Be part of the movement.
Visit weareufe.org to learn how you can close the gap between information and action. Support Urban Farming Education’s mission to empower communities for a climate-smart future. Subscribe and leave a review—your engagement helps us inspire more changemakers.

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