Black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) are turning food waste into valuable biofertilizer, offering a sustainable solution to both organic waste and soil degradation.
In the battle against organic waste and soil degradation, a tiny insect is emerging as an unexpected hero. The black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) has the extraordinary ability to consume vast quantities of organic matter, including food scraps and agricultural byproducts, and transform it into nutrient-rich fertilizer known as frass. This efficient process is attracting growing attention as a potential solution to two critical global issues: food waste and the degradation of soil health.
Historically, insects have been used as a food source in agriculture, but now, the focus is shifting toward their waste. The byproducts of BSFL, specifically their frass, are gaining recognition as a sustainable and effective soil amendment. With over 33% of the world’s soil currently degraded, lacking the nutrients essential for healthy plant growth, frass is being touted as a potential remedy for this crisis. The introduction of frass could help restore soil biodiversity, improve its health, and enhance crop production.
In May 2024, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) awarded grants to three projects that seek to harness the power of BSFL, including Chapul Farms, a development company based in Oregon. Chapul Farms is leading the charge to integrate insects back into American agriculture, aiming to reduce food waste, restore soil health, and produce high-quality animal feed. Supported by the Fertilizer Production and Expansion Program (FPEP), these efforts highlight the growing recognition of BSFL’s potential in both waste reduction and soil restoration.
Despite the remarkable abilities of BSFL, the widespread use of this insect remains limited. Why is that the case, and how can organizations like Chapul Farms, now backed by federal support, help expand its application?
BSFL is known for its ability to consume nearly any type of organic waste, from food scraps to agricultural byproducts. Operations like Chapul Farms use this voracious appetite to process large amounts of waste. The larvae can consume up to four times their body weight in organic matter every day, doing so in a fraction of the time it would take for traditional composting processes— which can span up to 10 months. This efficiency allows for a rapid transformation of organic material into frass, a rich source of nutrients for the soil.
Shankar Ganapathi Shanmugam, Assistant Research Professor at Mississippi State University, explains that BSFL’s ability to reproduce quickly and thrive on decaying organic material makes it a perfect candidate for waste management. His research is focusing on the potential of frass as a crop nutrient, an area of study that has already gained traction in several European countries but has yet to be explored extensively in the US.
At Chapul Farms, a circular system is in place, where local farms exchange organic waste for frass, benefiting both parties. The farms receive the nutrient-rich soil amendment, while Chapul Farms receives the material necessary to fuel its operations. This system is also helping to repopulate insect populations, as insect farming facilities provide controlled environments where these bugs can thrive.
The benefits of BSFL farming extend beyond waste processing. The frass produced has significant ecological advantages. It provides essential nutrients to plants, fosters biodiversity in the soil, and supports the overall ecosystem by encouraging the growth of native plant and insect species. As Oregon wine farmer Mimi Casteel, who has been using Chapul’s frass, notes, this process could be revolutionary for agriculture. “It’s portable, low-cost, and it’s restoring a layer of diversity that’s been missing,” she says.
Chapul Farms has worked alongside local vineyards, farmers, and researchers to promote the benefits of frass in soil restoration. Their efforts are also supported by TAINABLE, a local non-profit that provides laboratory space and farmland for research on soil health.
As the global production of organic waste continues to rise, the need for efficient and sustainable waste processing methods has never been more urgent. BSFL’s digestive process not only helps recycle organic waste, but it also significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions. By processing waste quickly and efficiently, BSFL can play a crucial role in mitigating the environmental burden of waste production.
However, there are obstacles to the widespread use of frass as a fertilizer. For one, the US National Organic Program does not currently accept insects as an allowable ingredient in organic farming. This presents challenges for farmers seeking to adopt this sustainable solution, although Chapul Farms is working with regulators to educate and promote the inclusion of BSFL in organic practices.
Unlike synthetic fertilizers, which can deplete soil health over time, frass promotes biodiversity by introducing a diverse microbial community to the soil. This strengthens the soil’s resilience, improves its water retention capacity, and reduces the need for expensive synthetic inputs. In contrast, synthetic fertilizers often harm soil biodiversity, disrupt beneficial bacteria, and require intensive fossil-fuel use.
Chapul Farms’ Chief Communications Officer, Aly Moore, emphasized the importance of domestic fertilizer production to reduce reliance on synthetic chemicals and imports. “We realize how many health issues arise from reduced nutrient density in crops and overuse of pesticides,” she explains. “Farmers will not only need less fertilizer over time but will also use fewer pesticides, which can drive down costs.”
The growing interest in frass also aligns with a wider trend of increasing fertilizer prices and supply disruptions. Fertilizer prices surged by over 100% between 2021 and 2022, putting immense pressure on farmers. This is particularly concerning for the US, which is the world’s third-largest importer of fertilizer. As supply chains remain unreliable, alternative fertilizers like frass offer a more sustainable and affordable option for farmers.
Michael Place, Chief Technology Officer at Chapul Farms, notes that between 2021 and 2023, global fertilizer consumption dropped by 8%, with many farmers being priced out of the market. “FPEP emerged as a response to this crisis,” he says. By supporting insect-based solutions like BSFL, this initiative seeks to stabilize fertilizer supplies while contributing to long-term sustainability.
BSFL’s potential goes beyond just fertilizer. Its ability to regenerate soil health and support biodiversity provides an exciting frontier in regenerative agriculture. The microbes in frass improve soil over time, allowing farmers to use less of it to maintain productivity. This natural process can make farming systems more resilient and help mitigate the impacts of climate change.
Farmers who have started using frass are already seeing positive results. Casteel, who is conducting trials on her vineyards and vegetable farm, has observed better plant health and faster growth. “The produce grows faster, and the cells are denser, with better structure,” she says. “The plants have more integrity, which means they’re stronger and more resilient.”
The FPEP funds are set to support the construction of BSFL production facilities in Oregon and North Dakota, where the projects are expected to generate 10,000 tons of frass per year and create nearly 60 new jobs by 2026.
Despite its potential, frass remains underutilized in the growing insect agriculture industry, which is primarily focused on protein production. While the insect protein market is booming, the value of frass as a soil health solution is still largely overlooked. In fact, BSFL farms produce twice as much frass as larvae, which presents an untapped resource for agricultural sustainability.
As the demand for sustainable agricultural practices continues to rise, Pat Crowley, CEO of Chapul Farms, emphasizes the essential role insects play in maintaining ecological balance. “Natural ecosystems cannot flourish without insects,” Crowley says. “Insects are a keystone species, and we cannot afford to overlook their potential in reshaping agriculture into a more resilient, ecosystem-based model.”
Through innovation and increased recognition of the benefits of BSFL, there is hope that this tiny soldier will play a significant role in addressing some of the most pressing challenges in global agriculture and waste management.
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