Progress 06/15/12 to 02/14/14
Outputs
Target Audience:The National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) has identified five primary societal challenge areas: 1) Global Food Security and Hunger, 2) Climate Change, 3) Sustainable Bioenergy, 4) Childhood Obesity, and 5) Food Safety. The Phase I project addressed new technology and methods that directly provide for safer use of Municipal Waste Streams (MSW) by the agricultural community in the production of safer and healthier foods, and assists in the elimination of unnecessary land-filling or combustion of organic materials which impacts the environment/climate through greenhouse gas generation (methane and carbon dioxide) and nutrient leaching/runoff. The organic fertilizer manufactured (worm castings) improves food-crop yields, decreases water requirements, and can reduce synthetic fertilizer and pesticide use. The Phase I project addressed USDA program priorities associated with Air, Water, and Soils as well as Small and Mid-Sized Farms which includes ongoing "local" food production and food waste processing technology efforts in suburban and urban locations. The Phase I project addressed NEW "Agricultural-related Manufacturing Technologies." Specifically, this Phase I Project has extended research into food-waste processing technologies that can manufacture materials for the direct production of plant foods. The manufacturing technology demonstrated requires very low capital investment, is simple to operate, modular, portable, suitable for deployment in many locations, and produces a well-recognized and highly valued organic fertilizer. The organic fertilizer is nutrient rich, tremendously dense in soil-food-web organisms, and unique in its material properties, facilitating production of slow release organic fertilizer solids that replace synthetics. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Worm Castings: Seed Germination and Micro-green Foods Worm castings in pure form were used to test seed germination and seedling growth in coir cups. Natural lighting and ambient temperatures were used. All seeds were soaked for 12 - 24 hours (tap water) Figure 3. Microgreens (clockwise) before planting (1/8"deep). radish, mung bean, alfalfa, broccoli, beets. All plantings were watered with tap water. Germination tests were conducted continuously throughout the summer, fall, and winter and sold to consumers in coir cups. This effort formed the basis of the Microgreens Home Food Kit that the Company sells (product image in the Commercialization Plan). Several seed types were tested for germination and growth to three-four inches for vegetable and flowering plants and to 12" for hard red winter wheat and black oil sunflowers. The following seeds were germinated: (broccoli, hard red winter wheat, black oil sunflowers, three kinds of mustard, cress, kale, peas, chia, beets, radish, lettuce, chard, crimson clover, alfalfa, phacelia tanacetifolia, catnip. valeria, lemon balm, chamomile, fiesta de sol, agastache, basil, oregano, rosemary, and mung bean. Coffee grounds and coffee compost were tested and generated poor results, as expected. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The Skolex Biotechnologies Phase 1 SBIR project results are unique, demonstrating technical proof-of-principle for new elevated vermicomposting organic fertilizer manufacturing technology (ELVES) and commercialization proof-of-opportunity which demonstrated that both the ELVES manufacturing process technology and materials manufactured in the new ELVES system are of interest and saleable to the general public at prices that provide a revenue stream that can sustain the Company's business. Specifically, the Phase 1 project redirected organic municipal waste (coffee grounds and clean cellulose) away from landfills and to a Skolex Biotechnologies' vermicomposting facility. There, worm digestion was used to transform these unwanted materials into worm castings, a soil-like material high in plant nutrients and beneficial soil microorganisms with well known benefits to agriculture and food production systems. The worm casting material prepared with ELVES manufacturing technology has very unique properties (patents pending) and has led to the creation of multiple new agriculture and consumer garden products. The first product is a slow release organic fertilizer block that serves as a replacement for popular synthetic fertilizer spikes sold at garden centers, big-box chain stores, and online. These solid slow release fertilizer blocks have been branded Fertilizer Art and prepared in animal shapes and colored with plant-nutrient based egg-paints (tempera) similar to those used during the Renaissance Art period. The second product is an indoor fool-proof gardening kit that allows both gardeners and non-gardeners to grow microgreens - small vegetable plants (~4" tall) that have a "huge" flavor profile, and which taste like the fully grown vegetable. These microgreens also carry the same nutrients as the fully-grown vegetable and thus the Kit allows growth of healthy vegetables (broccoli, radishes etc,) indoors through all seasons, for cooking, salads, sandwiches, and snacks. Early efforts to market and sell these two new products in addition to loose worm castings has been overwhelmingly positive, creating interest from gardeners and non-gardeners, kids, and adults. Marketing strategies have aided in generating interest from K-12 education institutions, Art galleries, and garden clubs. We have recently used these "Garden-Friendly-Art supplies" to teach a five-session Art in the Environment class at a local Montessori school. Fertilizer Art has also become a popular Paint-Table at numerous City and retail store Earth Day events (Whole Foods). The creation of Fertilizer Art that is both educational and functional has led to 1000s of units sold throughout the 2013 year. Interest from retail stores is currently greater than our supply capacity, and this demand is one of the primary reasons for Investor interest detailed in this Commercialization Plan (support Letter provided in the Phase II proposal). What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Phase I Results: Results of Phase I indicate excellent success with the ELVES manufacturing system suitable for use in a non-temperature controlled shared (HVAC company) warehouse environment. ELVES units were constructed for less than $100, installed in less than 1 hour, were stable in operation, and after 18 months of operation show minimal signs of wear. ELVES can be operated and maintained completed manually with unskilled labor, and without a power source. ELVES with worms demonstrated operational robustness in a temperature range from 40°F - 90°F, throughout all seasons in an unheated shared warehouse. ELVES portability was demonstrated - transporting units between warehouse locations. There were no discharges to the atmosphere (odors) or liquid discharges (leachates). There were no escape of worms from the ELVES units - proper habitat maintained Worm density at 20 lbs per ELVES was maintained and reproduction demonstrated. Throughput for the coffee compost feedstock met the anticipated 10 - 20 lbs/day. Results of Phase I indicate excellent success with the organic fertilizer (worm castings) suitable for agriculture, horticulture, and direct food production. Primary and secondary chemical nutrient composition is excellent, demonstrating nitrogen levels similar to worm castings produced with animal manures. They contain the highest nitrogen levels of any worm castings we are familiar with that are prepared with non-animal manure feedstocks. Microbiological composition is excellent, demonstrating significant numbers of active bacteria/fungi, protozoa, ciliates, and predatory nematodes. Worm Casting Maturity tests (CO2/NH3) indicate maturity immediately after excretion. Seed germination in the pure worm castings is excellent, with no signs of fungal diseases, and a suitability for all vegetable plants tested. Unique Material: We have observed unique properties of the worm castings materials, which facilitate the manufacture of slow release nutrient compositions in solid form. Results of Phase I commercialization activities indicate excellent success with the collection of data that has interested investors (Commercialization Letter included in this application). The worm castings product (loose form) has been sold in retail stores, online, and at farmer's markets. It commands market prices and has experienced repeat purchases. Worm castings (loose) have been used to grow and sell fully-grown microgreens fresh-vegetable-food cups at farmer's markets and Microgreens Grow-at-Home Food Kits. Slow-release solid fertilizer blocks have been coated and marketed as Fertilizer Art products to children and adults. More than 1000 units were sold in 2013. The Fertilizer Art product has been used to teach Renaissance Fine Art painting techniques in public and private schools and in local Art Galleries. In partnership with Core Equity Group (CEG) an Investor group has demonstrated interest in the Company, technology, and products.
Publications
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