Turning food waste into valuable resources while simultaneously rebuilding soil and growing new life in the Buffalo community—all thanks to worms.
BFLO Worm Works taps into the eco-power of vermiculture (worm farming) to convert waste products into organic fertilizer. Myles Stubblefield founded the organization two years ago, while also working as head dog trainer and vet tech at K9 Vision Inc. It gave him the opportunity to branch out and use his love for animals to further help his community.
“In this, I find a little more of me, and in me, I find a little bit more service to others,” says Myles. “If everyone composted, we would solve another generation’s problems now.”
Myles founded BFLO Worm Works to create an eco-friendly impact on the Buffalo community. Its mission: to “demonstrate kindness to the earth and everyone on it by way of turning waste into opportunity,” which allows the team to take its own approach to composting, an industry on the rise.
The urban farmers and environmental experts at BFLO Worm Works teamed up to use worms to take a more sustainable approach to disposing of food waste.
“I think the military gave me some of that go-getter mentality,” says Myles, who was in the Army for five years before returning to Buffalo in 2018. Now a retired veteran, he works nonstop hours to tackle both jobs. “From the military, what I brought back with myself was service and personal courage.”
After his time in the military and seeing how much others have sacrificed, Myles came back wanting to do more than dog training. His main goal is to unite the two organizations. “They very much coincide with service to others.”
“He has always been driven, especially when it comes to animals,” says Jon Tarrant, Worm Works chief operating officer and Myles’s friend since the fifth grade. “It’s almost like if we’re just hanging out, it doesn’t feel like work and feels natural.”
Jon wasn’t surprised when Myles started working with dogs, and then worms. He remembers the kid who kept a collection of fish, different reptiles and guinea pigs.
“I couldn’t keep my hands off of living creatures or animals anywhere I went,” Myles laughed.
In addition to seeking extra help, BFLO Worm Works is looking to partner with two additional restaurants to collect food waste to compost. He is currently working with Jack Rabbit on Elmwood Ave.
BFLO Worm Works also launched its compost partnership with Delaware North at Highmark Stadium in late September, which includes composting collection services for the two main kitchens at Highmark Stadium. The organic waste is prepped into mulch for the organization.
Myles enjoys the work that he does because he’s able to watch people’s reactions to what a small change can do—and just how big the impact can be.
“I would like any kid or aspiring entrepreneur to face their fears despite what maybe family and friends might say,” he says. “Be authentically you, which is a service to the world in itself.”
