Insect upcycling on urban farms to increase resource-use efficiency

Commodities

Practices

The biggest challenges facing urban farms include access to
agricultural resources and healthy, uncontaminated soils.
However, they are collocated with dense populations and abundant
organic waste streams. Through the integration of insect
upcycling, with black soldier fly (BSF) composting, this waste
can be used as feedstocks for the composting process. BSF are
capable of consuming organic wastes that include animal products,
fats, oils, and food industry byproducts, which are not viable
inputs in traditional compost systems. The results are generation
of soil amendments and insect protein for feed. Despite the
promises insect-upcycling proposes, knowledge gaps exist around
the application of BSF-derived resources and technical guidance
for implementation in local food economies.

In our proposed project entitled “Insect upcycling on
urban farms to increase resource-use efficiency” aims to
integrate BSF composting for the north central region. Through
participatory research we aim to fill these knowledge gaps. In
collaboration with 15 urban farms, we will tackle implementation
hurdles and map resource recovery and creation. Our field work
evaluating BSF compost impacts on soil health and plant
performance will improve application guidance. Nutritional and
microbial analyses will contribute to food safety and regulatory
compliance in addition to revealing microbe-mediated impacts on
soil health and plant performance. Collaboratively, we will
publish a technical assistance guide, instructional videos, and
develop presentations to expand the knowledge gained to diverse
audiences. We will work with Extension Educators to incorporate
the information and utility of black soldier fly composting as
new modules in longstanding signature programs, including
Purdue’s Urban Farmer and Master Gardener Programs. We will share
the resources throughout our region in collaboration with the
Great Lakes Urban Ag IPM working group.

The project coalesces in an increase in knowledge and attitudes
towards insect upcycling and the application of insect-derived
resources. Through our collaborative and participatory approach,
our target audience will be engaged throughout the process
leading to increases in adoption and the development of circular
urban food economies. Through waste recapturing and new product
generation, the goal is to increase the economic viability of
urban farms through less reliance on resource importation. This
approach can be disseminated beyond urban food systems and
implemented throughout the North Central Region.

We are targeting urban farmers who have large costs associated
with importing farming resources but are collocated with abundant
organic wastes.

Objective 1: Conduct participatory research to quantify the
benefits of insect upcycling.

Objective 2: Evaluate the application of insect-derived compost
on soil health and crop performance.

Objective 3: Evaluate the regulatory and safety parameters for
insect-derived resources.

Objective 4: Develop and disseminate guidelines for integrating
insect upcycling.

Learning outcomes: increased knowledge of insect upcycling, hold
favorable attitudes around insect-derived resources.

Action outcome: increased adoption of BSF composting.

System change: creation of a circular urban ag economy.