A Larvae
Story
Here's a timeline of events, from the concept through all the slow and steady progress.
2016
June 18
The first iteration of a larvae bin was researched, designed and built while I took vacations home from Long Island. It did work, but the design was too big and the larvae could squeeze into any small gaps and cracks. It now lives as a great potting bench for spring planting.
August 25
My lovely and talented co-workers at the newspaper gave me this great keepsake on my last day. This was the end of a chapter... in what now feels like a different book.
September 30
And so it begins: the first batch of larvae came in the mail
November 24
So I made it to the adult stage: the flies were emerging. Now to continue the life stage to the next generation. Easy, right?
2017
February 16
After a lot of fussing around (holding details for the sake of time/space), I did get a few larvae from successful mating.
May 12
Attempt number 2. Another purchase of live larvae arrive
July 4
Fly success! The first fly house was a little seed-starting greenhouse which worked really well.
2018
May 28
That little greenhouse was ok, but it was time to think bigger so we cleared the area just left of the sliding barn door and set large rocks holding a foundation for a little greenhouse.
June 20
And just like that: a little greenhouse appears
October 9
After submitting a proposal of my concept and vision, I officially met with the Department of Environmental Protection to figure out how to go about permitting. This is just a photo of myself with my dog Marley and cat Frog after I returned from my trip to Harrisburg.
October 25
Temps were again dropping so putting in some insulated walls was in order. This is the larvae room at the cleanest it will ever be...ever.
2019
October 20
To have consistent year-round larvae production, the fly hutch was constructed. It has four light sockets: two are heat lamps connected to a thermostat and two are daylight light bulbs. It works fantastically well. Click the photo to watch the YouTube video.
2020
June
After a lot of forms, notarizing, maps, procedural explanations, and then waiting, Full Circle Bioconversion LLC was formally permitted by the DEP to be a composting operation utilizing black soldier fly larvae, which we termed "hermetia composting."
2021
September 6
This was the year of significant equipment upgrades: first was a Saws-all sifter for frass which increased sifting production capacity significantly. It had taken 10-15 minutes to sift before, and as the task became increasingly pertinent to perform on a regular basis, the labor was overwhelming. It now takes less than 5 minutes to sift each bin. Click the image to watch the YouTube video.
September 8
The old meat grinder that dated back in the days of butchering on farm was officially retired when the new Bone Crusher was brought in. This dramatically decreased processing time to about 5 minutes per bucket. Click the image to watch the YouTube video.
2022
January 26
On a whim, I entered the US Composting Council's poster contest. I attended the conference in Austin and was placed 5 out of 13.
June 6
Finally! My Subaru could take a long and well-earned rest from being a work vehicle. The new-to-me Larvae Lorry has been a steadfast hauler, despite a few brake issues here and there.
September 26
I have the great fortune of some smart and mechanically-inclined people in my family. Here is the day the compost water heater came online, utilizing the heat generated from the compost pile to provide hot wash water for cleanup. What a dream! Click the image to watch the YouTube video.
2023
April 23
The first in-field compost + frass experiment was done with potatoes. The results were good and promising. Click the photo for the YouTube video.
June 5
More upgrades to space: these new shelves hold 21 bins each, versus the other plastic shelves, which topped out at 12 bins each.
September 23
As a huge surprise, my brother created this new barn adornment!
2024
February
I did an interview on my operation for Canvas Rebel.
Here's the link!