Mary Arlene Appelhof

Mary Arlene Appelhof (June 11, 1936 – May 4, 2005) was an American biologist, vermicomposter, and environmentalist. Her 1982 book Worms Eat My Garbage is still held as seminal reading in the field of vermicomposting. In 2009 she was designated a Women's History Month Honoree by the National Women's History Project.

Family and education Mary Appelhof was born in Detroit, Michigan. Her father was Pastor of St. John Episcopal Church in Alma, Ohio and St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Berea, Ohio. In 1954 she graduated from Berea High School in Berea, Ohio and in 1958 graduated from Michigan State University in East Lansing, Michigan with a B.S. in biology. In 1959 Appelhof graduated from Michigan State University with an M.S. degree in biology. She taught science at Kalamazoo Central High School in Kalamazoo, Michigan and taught at Interlochen Arts Academy in Interlochen, Michigan.

Designing and promoting worm systems In the early 1970s, Appelhof began experimenting with worms and organic waste. Her home worm container would become a new career. As "Worm Woman," she introduced thousands of schoolchildren and home gardeners to vermicomposting. She was awarded a National Science Foundation grant to do videomicroscopy of live worms. This resulted in a DVD "Wormania."

Flower Press Appelhof purchased an old mimeograph machine from the Democratic Party in the early 1970s. She used it to produce a brochure, "Basement Worm Bins Produce Potting Soil and Reduce Garbage."

My goal, however, was not to make lots of money, but to influence people's thinking. To get them to think differently about waste, and give them tools to deal with it. Self-publishing my book was the way I could do that. So I learned what I had to learn to be able to do so.

Works Worms Eat My Garbage: How to Set Up and Maintain a Worm Composting System. Flower Press 1982, Worms Eat Our Garbage: Classroom Activities for a Better Environment. Flower Press 1993, Wormania [DVD]. Flowerfield Enterprises. Available from wormwoman.com

Legacy Wormania was featured on Red Letter Media's Best of the Worst: Wheel of the Worst #14, where the panel offered extensive commentary on the video, remarking on the production value, the music, and Appelhof's positive attitude and happy demeanor, in addition to her clear passion for worms.