Insect Farming Initiative Webinar Series
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Insect Farming: The Industrial Perspective
On Friday, June 27, 2025 at 10 a.m., hear from different companies working in the insect farming sector. We will have speakers that represent both smale-scale businesses to larger commerical-sized ones. This is an opportunity to learn from their experiences, engage through panel discussion at the end, and get involved with the Insect Farming Initiative.
Schedule
Justin Meyer
Owner/Operator/Mealworm Enthusiast
This presentation offers a look at how a small-scale farm can raise live mealworms efficiently using low-tech tools and systems. Justin will walk through how the farm is structured to operate within a 40-50 hour workweek while still producing consistent, shippable live feeders. The focus will be on simple, scalable processes—highlighting the challenges of transitioning from manual to semi-mechanized operations. He’ll also touch on why frass remains a largely unrealized byproduct and what it will take to change that.
About
Justin spent 20 years in the tech sector managing teams and implementing pharmacy management software. In 2016, the mealworm adventure began when he ordered 1,000 live mealworms. The colony kept growing and Midwest Mealworms, LLC was formed in Jan of 2017. Things went well, and in Oct of 2021 he retired from corporate America to focus 100% on the mealworm business. The goal is to prove that a small building (only 2100 sq ft) can work as a profitable business, and share with everyone the processes, tools, and rearing steps needed to replicate it anywhere. Next up.....soldier fly larvae and food waste!
Symeon Pozidis
Junior Sales Manager, Nasekomo EAD
Symeon Pozidis will give us an overview about Nasekomo including:
- Who they are
- Their purpose
- Their approach
- Their future plans for the insect farming industry in EU.
About
- Integrated Master’s Degree in Agriculture from Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, with a specialization in crop production. His thesis focused on the ability of Bombus terrestris queens to establish colonies after exposure to different cold chilling treatments and CO₂.
- MSc in Plant Sciences from Wageningen University & Research, with a specialization in Entomology and Plant Pathology. His thesis investigated the immune response and behavior of Hermetia illucens (Black Soldier Fly) following infection with the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana.
- With a background in agronomy and entomology, he joined Nasekomo as an R&D intern and am currently building his career in sales and business development.
Dr. Lotte Joosten
Researcher, Protix
Dr. Lotte Joosten will walk us through the Protix factory and show the key points that are linked to black soldier fly health.
- Where are the risks?
- How do we deal with them?
- And how do we monitor welfare of black soldier fly?
About
Dr. Lotte Joosten scientific background in Entomology. Her research at Protix focuses on the breeding of the black soldier fly, aiming to produce enough fertilized eggs for larvae production. She optimizes the process to improve egg yield and hatch rates so we operate as stable, reliable and predictable as possible. She also supports the development of new breeding technologies for the future.
Ask the speakers questions. Suggest topics of interest for future sessions!