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Episode-2429- Dr. Jeff Tomberlin on Black Solider Fly Compost Systems

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Dr. Jeffery K. Tomberlin is a Professor & AgriLife Research Fellow in the Department of Entomology at Texas A&M University. He is also the Director of the Forensic & Investigative Sciences Program at Texas A&M University, and the principle investigator of the Forensic Laboratory for Investigative Entomological Sciences (F.L.I.E.S.) Facility at Texas A&M University.

Research in the F.L.I.E.S. Facility examines species interactions on ephemeral resources such as vertebrate carrion, decomposing plant material and animal wastes in order to better understand the mechanisms regulating arthropod behavior as related to arrival, colonization and succession patterns. The goals of his program are numerous; however, a major focus of his research is on waste management in confined animal facilities as well as concerns with food waste being placed in landfills.

His research efforts for the past 20 years have been developing methods for the production of alternate protein sources for use as livestock, poultry and aquaculture feed from these resources. Predominately, these efforts have been accomplished through his research with the black soldier fly. Since arriving on campus at Texas A&M University in 2007, nine Ph.D. and seventeen M.S. students have completed their degrees under his supervision.

Dr. Tomberlin welcomes those that are interested in collaborating or gaining experience in black soldier fly as a sustainable system to produce protein or other areas of his research to visit the F.L.I.E.S. Facility. Dr. Tomberlin has worked with companies throughout the world including, but not limited to Malaysia, China, and Australia. He has also given presentations (e.g., TEDx) on insects as food and feed throughout the world as well (e.g., China, Malaysia, Australia).

Because of Dr. Tomberlin’s commitment to protecting the environment while helping others, he, along with a group of close friends, started EVO Conversion Systems, LLC. The mission of EVO is to protect the environment while producing protein with the black soldier fly. Through EVO, individuals are trained to mass produce the black soldier fly as well as partner with other companies that are a part of the EVO Consortium. EVO has partnerships throughout the world and welcomes others interested in learning how to become a collaborator on this exciting path towards sustainable agriculture.

Dr. Tomberlin joins us today to discuss The use of black soldier flies to recycle food or animal waste to produce protein as feed for livestock as well as the production of compost: updates on industry and backyard uses.

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Comments

Episode-2429- Dr. Jeff Tomberlin on Black Solider Fly Compost Systems — 5 Comments

  1. Jack,

    Very exciting solution to a ecological problem. The front end of the process seem to have been studied intently, but I had a question about the output. Does the compost build soil health or does it only work to boost plant growth like a chemical fertilizer?

  2. Fantastic insect.

    Excellent interview.

    Awesome solution.

    Talk about “GSD” this epitomizes it…

  3. Not sure about the US but in the UK a lot of the large companies are already looking at (McDonalds, Tesco etc) but as with all things in with government there are numerous bodies and people involved.

    This is delaying things here along with the issues with Brexit but the UK is behind the rest of Europe in getting these plants created.

    With the amount of money local councils are spending on Bio digesters I don’t think it will be long before they also start looking into this as they can still charge businesses and tax payers for the collection but they would then be able to sell the protein/ oils etc from the larvae as well as the compost.

    Grubtubs in Austin collect the food waste and Entocycle in the UK are using coffee grinds and spent brewers grain from the local micro breweries for theirs (no connection just love the idea)

  4. Once again, you’ve stirred my creative mind. The one thing that sold me on BSFL was the video on YouTube that showed a time lapse about what happens to a fish in 24 hours. It’s nuts!

    Thanks Jack and Jeff

  5. This was a great interview. Everything he said was right except that it is the only bug that can be used for animal feed.  Crickets can now also be used in animal feed.  My sister has started a cricket farm.  The crickets are sold both for human and animal feed.  But the bsf are a great solution for waste food and for animal waste.  Great interview.

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