Projects

We’re always prototyping, experimenting, and networking with local agencies and community groups to advance the science of composting!

Microorganism Farming and Anaerobic Digestion

We are in the development phase of our special recipe of acidophilic microorganisms that will allow for faster, more hygienic, and more energy-efficient composting that can be scaled up or down as needed.
Goalposts:
☑ Capture local yeasts and lactobacillus organisms.
☑ Grow and shelf-stabilize a concentrated culture.
☐ Streamline process of fermenting an inoculant.
☐ Prototype anaerobic digestor design.
☐ Implement full-scale lacto-fermentation to replace composting process.

The Biochar Project

The next step for Awesome Possum takes us into the realm of soil improvement through the creation of inoculated biochar, a nutrient-rich soil additive that actually helps take carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere and return it into the Earth! By subjecting waste wood and other biomass to high heat under low-oxygen conditions, we can create a substrate that can carry an unbelievable amount of nutrients into the soil. The added carbon can remain in the soil for centuries, helping to rebuild the food web while keeping C02 out of the atmosphere.
Goalposts:
☑ Create inoculant recipe and process to saturate biochar with nutrients.
☐ Work with community college welding program to prototype a biochar retort.
☐ Test soil amendment ratios.
☐ Begin bulk biochar creation and workshop demonstrations.
☐ Offer test product to community.
☐ Determine scalability of project.

Home Bokashi

We’re engineering a solution for those who want to compost at home but have serious space constraints by bringing our anaerobic lactofermentation process into the home! Our current focus is on bringing down the cost of materials required to start up a household’s two-bucket system.
Goalposts:
☑ Create lactobacillus microbe serum.
☐ Create functional two-bucket prototype for home users.
☐ Fully test prototype through multiple cycles, ensuring minimal odor and mess.
☐ Bring costs down as much as possible to create an affordable and viable in-home product.