The global demand for protein and environmentally sound agricultural resources is escalating rapidly, driven by a growing population and increasing environmental concerns. All agriculture sectors are under pressure to feed 9.8 billion people by 2050 with greater efficiency and resiliency¹. Traditional protein sources for animal feed, such as fishmeal and soy, face challenges related to overfishing, deforestation, and land use competition. As current food production is projected to fall short of future demands, the meat industry faces the significant challenge of innovating to meet these needs. This task is further complicated by the decreasing availability of space and resources required to accommodate the expansion of meat production. Further, 30-40% of food produced is wasted in the United States (equivalent to $161 billion USD)².  Coupled with this, synthetic fertilizers, while effective, contribute to greenhouse gas emissions, water pollution, and soil degradation.

The Need as Indicated by Stakeholders:

The need for alternative protein sources, nutrient recycling methods, and novel biomass, while squeezing as much monetary opportunity as possible (i.e., bioeconomy and biosecurity) out of the agricultural system, is a shared priority among a diverse range of stakeholders across the agricultural, environmental, and economic sectors. This consensus is driven by specific national and regional priorities, highlighting a pressing demand for innovative solutions within the bioeconomy. Agricultural agencies and farmer associations emphasize the development of circular economy models and the reduction of agricultural waste to enhance sustainability and efficiency within the food system. For instance, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has identified sustainable agriculture and waste reduction as key strategic goals, promoting research and development in these areas³. Farmers are actively seeking cost-effective and environmentally friendly feed and fertilizer options to improve profitability and reduce their environmental footprint. Livestock producers, in particular, are pursuing renewable protein alternatives that can reduce overall costs while also not competing with human food sources. This aligns with a broader industry shift towards more resource-efficient practices, as evidenced by initiatives from organizations like the National Pork Board and the National Cattlemen's Beef Association exploring alternative feed ingredients^4,5.  Environmental protection groups and waste management entities are focused on nutrient recycling and novel approaches to valorize organic waste streams and many state-level environmental departments advocate for the reduction of food waste and the beneficial reuse of organic materials to minimize landfill dependence and mitigate greenhouse gas emissions^6,7. There is significant interest in converting what was once considered waste or byproducts into valuable resources, contributing to a more circular economy. Food industry and economic development agencies are also showing great interest in the economic opportunities presented by novel bio-based solutions. Indeed, consumer demand for sustainably produced food has significantly reinforced these priorities, with market research consistently showing a growing preference for products with a lower environmental impact and clear traceability^8,9. This strong consumer push further incentivizes the development of innovative solutions.  Insect meal derived from insects reared on food waste presents a particularly promising solution to address both animal production needs and pervasive food waste/contamination issues. This approach not only provides a sustainable protein source for animal feed, but it also offers an effective method for valorizing organic waste, transforming a liability into an asset^10,11.  The farmed insect industry is experiencing rapid growth, with over 300 startup companies globally and a projected market value of $28.54 billion by 2035¹¹. Advancing value-added products from insect production, such as insect meal, will significantly promote economic development by creating new industries, jobs, and revenue streams within the bioeconomy.

The Importance of the Work and Consequences if Not Done:

Continued reliance entirely on conventional protein sources will exacerbate environmental degradation, including biodiversity loss, water scarcity, and increased carbon footprints. For instance, soy production was linked to 794,000 hectares of deforestation and conversion in 2022 in Brazil alone¹², and the global fish farming industry is estimated to use as much as 307.0% more wild fish than previously reported for feed¹³. Further, livestock production, including feed, contributes an estimated 12-17% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions¹⁴. Beyond this, the livestock industry is highly dependent on a global supply of feed ingredients, which are inherently susceptible to a wide range of unpredictable factors. This fundamental dependency, combined with the often rapid and significant price swings in these markets, creates an ongoing and substantial economic risk for livestock producers worldwide. 

Persistence of  inefficient management of organic waste will lead to landfill expansion, methane emissions, and nutrient leakage into ecosystems. Landfills are the third largest source of human-caused methane emissions in the United States, responsible for 14.4% of methane in 2022¹⁵, and globally, waste contributes 68 million tonness of methane annually¹⁶.  Agricultural runoff also contributes significantly to nutrient pollution, with 40-80% of applied fertilizers lost to the environment annually¹⁷, leading to nearly 500 eutrophic and hypoxic "dead zones" worldwide¹⁷. Without viable, scalable solutions, the bioeconomy's potential to achieve true circularity and resilience will be significantly hampered, undermining long-term food security and environmental health¹⁸.

The Technical Feasibility of the Research:

The technical feasibility of utilizing insects as feed and fertilizer is well-established and rapidly advancing. Insect agriculture has quickly assimilated into the United States bio-economy. Insects are an attractive, sustainable alternative protein source for animal diets due to their favorable nutrient composition, low space and water requirements, and natural role in animal diets¹⁹. Research has demonstrated the ability to rear various insect species, such as black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae, an approved feed ingredient for many animals in the United States, on diverse organic waste streams, effectively converting low-value biomass into high-value protein and fat. Resulting insect meal has proven to be a nutritious and palatable feed ingredient for poultry, aquaculture, and swine. The frass (insect excrement) produced during the rearing process is a nutrient-rich organic fertilizer²⁰.

Additionally, insects are capable of bioremediating waste streams including agricultural and food waste, manure, and plastics helping to increase their economy²¹. The insect rearing industry has grown rapidly in recent years and shows great economic potential¹¹. Advances in insect farming technology, including optimized rearing conditions, automation, and processing techniques, are continuously improving efficiency and scalability. While challenges remain in optimizing specific waste stream utilization, processing for diverse applications, and large-scale economic viability, the foundational science and engineering principles are sound, indicating high technical feasibility for continued research and development. 

Still, state-of-the-art research is urgently needed to overcome barriers to adoption in commercial animal diets such as regulatory restrictions, production scale issues, and feed and food safety concerns. Efforts to explore the use, benefits, and challenges of insect-based feed ingredients are quickly being initiated throughout the United States.  The National Science Foundation has funded the Industry-University Collaborative Research Center for Insect Biomanufacturing and Innovation (NSF IUCRC CIBI), while the United States Department of Agriculture- Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS) has created a “Grand Synergies Challenge” focused on this topic. Such efforts have resulted in the diversification and expansion of related research within academia, government, and industry, which in turn has resulted in this industry becoming established.  Consequently, agencies, such as the Federal Drug Administration (FDA), and the regulatory affiliate, the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), have become engaged with assuring proper implementation and use of any products generated. Because of such broad expansion of research and applications in the United States, now is the time to create a regional multi-state project to provide greater opportunities for collaboration, while maintaining a focused agenda that addresses challenges with the insect agriculture sector.

The Advantages for Doing the Work as a Multistate Effort:

Addressing the complex challenges and opportunities presented by insect-based bioeconomy solutions is ideally suited for a multistate effort. Regional variations in waste streams, climate, regulatory frameworks, and agricultural practices necessitate a collaborative approach.  A multistate effort allows for leveraging the unique expertise and infrastructure of multiple institutions across different states as well as broader data collection on insect performance, waste conversion, and product efficacy under varied environmental and operational conditions.  This multistate effort will also allow for the development and testing solutions tailored to specific regional needs and available resources and will facilitate rapid dissemination of best practices, research findings, and technological innovations among participating states and stakeholders. Finally, data will inform consistent regulatory frameworks across states, which is crucial for industry growth.  This collaborative synergy will lead to more robust, widely applicable, and impactful outcomes than isolated efforts.

This multistate effort, structured around insects reared for feed and fertilizer, will consist of collaborative partnerships among our research universities and colleges of veterinary medicine, and USDA-ARS federal laboratories. Our universities have established and robust entomology, biological sciences, biochemistry, poultry science, and fisheries and wildlife departments, existing veterinary capabilities, and demonstrated commitments to vigorous multidisciplinary approaches to R&D. Also, Texas A&M University, Indiana University-Indianapolis, and Mississippi State University are Sites within the NSF IUCRC CIBI, where Texas A&M is the Lead Site. Furthermore, USDA-ARS houses research facilities on the Mississippi State University campus and are leaders in research in poultry research, genetics and sustainable agriculture research. The USDA-ARS Stoneville, MS location houses the Warmwater Aquaculture Research Unit.  Research within the units focus on health, nutrition, and management. The USDA-ARS Southern Plains Agriculture Research Center in College Station Texas conducts cutting edge food and feed safety research and the Poultry Production and the Product Safety Research in Fayetteville, Arkansas steers research of food safety of animal and plant products. All enlist successful university partnerships through grants and agreements. 

What the Likely Impacts Will Be from Successfully Completing the Work:

We anticipate the creation of new industries and job opportunities within emerging fields like bioconversion technologies, processing, and related innovations. This could also lead to reduced feed costs for livestock producers and create new revenue streams for diversified farmers and for waste management operations.

Our efforts are ultimately expected to reduce waste sent to landfills, which will decrease harmful emissions. We also foresee a decreased reliance on unsustainable resources and synthetic products, thereby mitigating their environmental impact. This work will enhance nutrient cycling and soil health, while also allowing for diversification of supply chains, making them more resilient to global changes. Ultimately, our multistate research will contribute to a more circular and sustainable economy by fostering innovative bioconversion technologies, automation, and novel product development. 

We anticipate the Following Returns on Investment (ROIs):

• Resilient State-Federal R&D Infrastructure for developing enhanced methods for insect rearing as a feed source to increase animal production profitability and efficiency.


• Strategic planning systems in place incorporating alternative feed ingredients to increase biosecurity


• Protection of agriculture production and infrastructure


• Protection of human and animal health, and natural resources


• Technology transfer of new management methods and diagnostic products (economic ROI, job creation, and workforce training)


• Coordinated messaging for stakeholder engagement through university extension programs


• Coordinated messaging and engagement for government managers


• Recruiting industry to the United States


• Creation of jobs through the R&D process and enterprises made possible through technology transfer efforts