HAMILTON — The worms do all the work. Lynn White said she just feeds them.

White showed off the Earth Machine she uses to create compost in her Fairfield Twp. backyard. It resembles an upside-down trash can.

The process is simple. Organic waste — like leftover food, coffee grounds, grass clippings and tree limbs — go in the top. In a month or so, nutrient-rich fertilizer spills out a trapdoor at the bottom.

For best results, she recommends using equal parts green and brown stuff for a good mix of carbon and nitrogen. And no meat, dairy or animal waste, she said — or else you’ll get a stench, rats and unhealthy pathogens.

Composting cuts down on landfill waste while producing free fertilizer, White explained.

“Between this and the recycling bin, we don’t have much trash,” she said.

In addition to the Earth Machines, the Butler Soil and Water Conservation District is selling rain barrels for the first time this month for its annual spring sale of tree saplings and other plantings.

The Earth Machines are available for $60 each, compared to a typical price tag of $100.

The sale raises money for the district’s education program. For the program, White travels to local schools to teach about soil and water conservation and pollution.

Money raised also funds grants for school projects and scholarships.

“More and more homeowners are contacting Butler SWCD to find out about composting, rain barrels and creating rain gardens,” said Kevin Fall, soil and water district administrator.

The 54-gallon rain barrels connect to home gutter spouts, with a garden-hose nozzle in the front and a tube for runover water. The barrels, which cost $120 each, are made to look like wooden barrels, though they actually consist of tough plastic.

“Most of the homeowners’ associations won’t complain about this one,” said White, referring to condominium organizations.

“Rain barrels help to keep rainwater on-site where it belongs, allowing us to use this free resource, which is better for your plants and better for your wallet,” said Bob Lentz, storm water district coordinator.

Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2175 or jsweigart@coxohio.com.