2013 Food Waste Pilots
Our pilots in the Dunellen area and Woodbridge were a smashing success. I asked participants for feedback, and they all were good. People liked the simple containers. No one had problems with smells or issues with animals getting into them. EVERYONE loved our horse-powered pickups by our equine stars Abbie and Katie.
Results of Our R&D to Date
Our population of BSF larvae munched away and we had several successful cycles of breeding. What we discovered is commercial food waste makeup has more cellulose than what we got from our residential pilots. The BSF larvae don't eat woody or cellulose items. They like the soft stuff.
So, we realized to have a full-service food waste recycling system, we'd need to add composting to our process.
Gore Composting System
After a good bit of research, we found and connected with the W.L. Gore and Associates, which has a fantastic system for composting. The system involves building large heaps of organic material, installing pipes that force oxygen in, with temperature monitors, covered by a Gore fabric. It is a proven technology used for the past 20 years.
Pivot Point for Green Waste Technology
With the new information in hand, we decided to pivot our focus. Our lease on West Front Street was up at the end of November 2013. We decided not to renew the lease, and instead search for a location where we could set up a Gore composting system and continue our BSF larvae food-eating research.
While the search is underway, we've been developing our food waste hauling side of the business. We are working with several towns on potential food waste recycling pilot programs. When everything is finalized, we'll announce those projects.
What About the Horses?
Our equine crews were moved to Hidden Hills Farms in Flemington. Hidden Hills Farm The farm is a 40-acre facility with an indoor and outdoor ring, great pastures and open spaces. The folks at Hidden Hills - manager and trainer Debbie Montauredes and owners Cynthia and Matt Neinart - have been great. The girls and boys are having a great winter vacation and are getting the best of care.
We plan in 2014 to continue with our residential food waste pilots using horsepower, as well as develop a carriage and driving lesson business.
We have new additions to our equine crew. Curtis and Bill, percheron geldings arrived this week at the farm.
These are BIG BOYS!!! We purchased them from our good friend Tim Hatch at Double HH Percherons. Curtis is 18.3 hands and 7 years old and Bill is 18.1 hands and 12 years old. One horse "hand" = 4 inches. So the big boys are 73" and 75" at the shoulder -- that's over 6 feet tall. I'm 4'11" tall, and I can't reach their withers or back.
They are full brothers. They make Abbie and Katie look small! They weigh a ton each.
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| Bill getting harnessed |
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| Marc hitching Curtis (in the back) and Bill to the forecart |
When the snow finally ends (please soon!!!), we'll get our teams back into a workout schedule, so they'll be ready for the coming year.
2014 looks to be an exciting time for us!
