The power of laughter and worms. A great conversation from 2021 with Cathy Nesbitt a vermiculture champion and laughter ambassador.  She is saving the earth with compost and saving people with laughter. 

Being a lady of a certain age, her working life started with a few options: Teacher, Nurse or Secretary. She chose the latter and had a 20-year career as a secretary and PA working for some prestigious companies. Whilst this work was fine, it was not her passion. The shift to something more inspiring began when she volunteered at a nursing home. She became interested in Psychology and was inspired to study, so she joined a night school class whilst continuing to work full-time at her day job.

After finishing her qualification, she sought an opportunity to use and explore her new skills and found a place to work with challenged adults.

“This is why I was put on earth to be a social worker. Until I met management, I did not expect the politics.”

Little actions can lead to big changes, and in the 1990s, most developed countries were having problems with waste. Canada was no exception. Landfills in Toronto had become full, and trash was being exported to US landfill sites. Looking to do her bit, Cathy started composting at home and encouraged others to do the same.

A work injury in 2001 led Cathy to consider new options, and she decided to start her own business. That was the start of what has now been a 20-year journey with composting and worms.

Throughout the years, Cathy has won over 20 awards for green business and community support composting. She has published over 300 articles and has been on TV and radio, both local and national.

Not one to stand still, Cathy is also a certified Laughter Yoga Leader, Teacher, and Ambassador. So, her life has a theme of worms, bean sprouts, and laughter. Her mission is to promote simple solutions for today’s challenges.

Cathy’s website URL & Social URLs are: