Insect Farming: From Theory to Practice
Led by the K-State Insect Farming Initiative, join us on May 7, 2026 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 1960 Kimball Ave's Venue Space for a one-day workshop. We will bring together researchers, industry professionals, and agricultural innovators to explore insect farming and provide live demonstrations on how to farm yellow mealworms.
Agenda
May 7, 2026 | 1960 Venue Ave
9:30 – 10:00 a.m. | Registration
Participants of the Insect Farming: From Theory to Practice workshop will arrive, check in, and connect with others over light refreshments before the workshop begins. Zoom participants will be admitted during this time.
10:00 – 10:20 a.m. | Welcome from the Insect Farming Initiative
Presented by Christos Athanssiou, Research Professor of Entomology, Insect Farming Initiative, Kansas State University
An opening welcome and brief look back at the first six months of the Insect Farming Initiative, highlighting milestones, momentum, and what’s ahead—followed by an interactive game to kick things off.
Presented by Christos Athanssiou, Research Professor of Entomology, Insect Farming Initiative, Kansas State University
An opening welcome and brief look back at the first six months of the Insect Farming Initiative, highlighting milestones, momentum, and what’s ahead—followed by an interactive game to kick things off.
10:20 – 10:40 a.m. | The Crunchy Cost of Care: Investigating In-House Insect Farming for Zoo Insect-Eaters
Presented by Erica Buckwalter, Curator of Education, Sunset Zoo
Take a closer look at the Zoo’s insect-eating animals, exploring their natural history to learn who they are and how they eat. Along the way, it highlights the thoughtful, behind-the-scenes work and deep commitment to care that go into meeting each species’ unique needs every day. Most of all, it’s a chance to share just how much creativity, dedication, and heart go into caring for the animals at Sunset Zoo. Read more about the presentation.
Presented by Erica Buckwalter, Curator of Education, Sunset Zoo
Take a closer look at the Zoo’s insect-eating animals, exploring their natural history to learn who they are and how they eat. Along the way, it highlights the thoughtful, behind-the-scenes work and deep commitment to care that go into meeting each species’ unique needs every day. Most of all, it’s a chance to share just how much creativity, dedication, and heart go into caring for the animals at Sunset Zoo. Read more about the presentation.
10:40 – 11:00 a.m. | MINIstock: How USDA-ARS researchers are working to advance practical applications of insect products
Presented by Kelsy Robinson, Research Biologist (Immunologist), USDA-ARS Poultry Research Unit
This presentation explores the MINIstock Grand Challenge team’s innovative work in optimizing insect production, enhancing livestock health, and utilizing waste streams for sustainable agricultural solutions. Read more about the presentation.
Presented by Kelsy Robinson, Research Biologist (Immunologist), USDA-ARS Poultry Research Unit
This presentation explores the MINIstock Grand Challenge team’s innovative work in optimizing insect production, enhancing livestock health, and utilizing waste streams for sustainable agricultural solutions. Read more about the presentation.
11:00 – 11:30 a.m. | Interactive Minigame
Presented by Christos Athanssiou, Research Professor of Entomology, Insect Farming Initiative, Kansas State University
A fun, interactive quiz to test and compete for prizes by answering questions and encouraging participant engagement and discussion.
Presented by Christos Athanssiou, Research Professor of Entomology, Insect Farming Initiative, Kansas State University
A fun, interactive quiz to test and compete for prizes by answering questions and encouraging participant engagement and discussion.
11:30 – 11:45 a.m. | Student Engagement with Insect Farming
Presented by the Insect Farming Initiative Student Team
Members of the IFI student team highlight how students are engaging with insect farming through research, outreach, and hands-on learning opportunities.
Presented by the Insect Farming Initiative Student Team
Members of the IFI student team highlight how students are engaging with insect farming through research, outreach, and hands-on learning opportunities.
We will take a break for people to grab lunch on their own. We will not be providing lunches, but we do recommend checking out Rockin K's nearby.
1:00 – 1:20 p.m. | Advancing your Research with Nanopore Sequencing
Presented by Ishita Parikh, Field Application Scientist, Oxford Nanopore Technologies
A seminar featuring an overview of Oxford Nanopore Technologies, highlighting key applications such as shotgun metagenomics, direct RNA sequencing, and telomere-to-telomere sequencing, and their potential to advance biological and agricultural research. Read more about the presentation.
Presented by Ishita Parikh, Field Application Scientist, Oxford Nanopore Technologies
A seminar featuring an overview of Oxford Nanopore Technologies, highlighting key applications such as shotgun metagenomics, direct RNA sequencing, and telomere-to-telomere sequencing, and their potential to advance biological and agricultural research. Read more about the presentation.
1:20 – 1:40 p.m. | Insects for Antigen Production and Delivery: A Novel Oral Vaccination Platform for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza
Presented by Laura Miller, Associate Professor, University Outstanding Scholar, Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology, Kansas State University
This presentation will describe a multi-institutional collaboration between Kansas State University and North Carolina State University, funded by the USDA’s HPAI Poultry Innovation Grand Challenge. Read more about the presentation.
Presented by Laura Miller, Associate Professor, University Outstanding Scholar, Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology, Kansas State University
This presentation will describe a multi-institutional collaboration between Kansas State University and North Carolina State University, funded by the USDA’s HPAI Poultry Innovation Grand Challenge. Read more about the presentation.
1:40 – 2:00 p.m. | From Frass to Functional Materials: Insect Byproducts for Water Purification and Advanced Chitosan Applications
Presented by Patricia R. Calvo, Assistant Professor of Chemistry, Kansas State University
This presentation will highlight how insect farming byproducts can be transformed into valuable materials for environmental and industrial applications. Read more about the presentation.
Presented by Patricia R. Calvo, Assistant Professor of Chemistry, Kansas State University
This presentation will highlight how insect farming byproducts can be transformed into valuable materials for environmental and industrial applications. Read more about the presentation.
2:00 – 2:20 p.m. | Live Demo: The Yellow Mealworm Biorefinery
Presented by Sofronios Zafeiriadis, DVM, PhD candidate, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece
This session explores the biological drivers of mass-rearing Tenebrio molitor as a sustainable biorefinery, covering life-cycle optimization, substrate selection, and hands-on laboratory techniques to transform agri-food waste into high-quality feed protein. Read more about the presentation.
Presented by Sofronios Zafeiriadis, DVM, PhD candidate, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece
This session explores the biological drivers of mass-rearing Tenebrio molitor as a sustainable biorefinery, covering life-cycle optimization, substrate selection, and hands-on laboratory techniques to transform agri-food waste into high-quality feed protein. Read more about the presentation.
2:20 – 2:40 p.m. | Use of Insect Meal in Pet Food Applications – Impact on Processing Characteristics and Kibble Quality
Presented by Sajid Alavi, Professor of Grain and Food Science, Kansas State University
This presentation examines how black soldier fly and cricket proteins impact extrusion and kibble quality, offering practical formulation strategies to successfully integrate insect meals into high-performing, sustainable dog food. Read more about the presentation.
Presented by Sajid Alavi, Professor of Grain and Food Science, Kansas State University
This presentation examines how black soldier fly and cricket proteins impact extrusion and kibble quality, offering practical formulation strategies to successfully integrate insect meals into high-performing, sustainable dog food. Read more about the presentation.
2:40 – 3:00 p.m. | Closing Remarks, Q&A, and Final Kahoot!
Presented by Christos Athanssiou, Research Professor of Entomology, Insect Farming Initiative, Kansas State University
The workshop concludes with final reflections, audience questions, and a closing Kahoot! that brings together insights from presenters still in attendance.
Presented by Christos Athanssiou, Research Professor of Entomology, Insect Farming Initiative, Kansas State University
The workshop concludes with final reflections, audience questions, and a closing Kahoot! that brings together insights from presenters still in attendance.