Houston first, then outward
Light Forager is based in Houston and works with community gardens, schools, and families here. We also collaborate with rural communities nearby and with partners in other cities who want to try the same model.
Programs
One cycle, four kinds of work
Everything Light Forager does fits somewhere on the loop: keeping organic waste out of the landfill, running bio digestion to recover what is in it, putting that material back into soil, and teaching people how to do the same.
01
Divert waste
Food scraps from kitchens, gardens, and partner sites are collected before they become trash. We start small and local, so that what we collect matches what a pilot can process.
- Collection from community gardens, schools, and households
- Sorting guidance so only suitable material goes in
- Records of what was diverted and from where
02
Harness bio digestion
Black soldier fly larvae digest organic scraps quickly and leave behind frass, a dry, crumbly material that can be studied and used as a soil amendment when handled properly. Our first production box in Houston is the pilot for this work.
- Design, build, and operate small bio digestion systems
- Monitor inputs, outputs, sanitation, and operating needs
- Document what works so the model can be adapted elsewhere
The larvae are a product too. Dried and used as an animal feed supplement, they contribute to healthier animals and to the habitats those animals depend on.
- Reduces reliance on wild oceanic sources of fishmeal
- Supports gut health and immune function in chickens, fish, and dogs
03
Restore soil
Recovered nutrients are only useful if they go back into the ground. We study how frass and other amendments behave in local soils, and we get materials to gardens that can use them.
- Insect frass from multiple insect sources
- Biochar and biochar-based blends
- Traditional, mushroom, and locally made composts
- Other regional amendments selected for fit
Every material we distribute comes with notes on practical use, context, and safety.
04
Grow knowledge
The cycle only lasts if people can run it without us. Workshops, school programs, and simple written guides cover the whole loop in plain language.
- In-person and online workshops for growers and families
- School and youth sessions on soil and nutrient recovery
- The Soil Atlas community soil course