Let's Talk Goals AND Project Updates

Kickstarting any project is good with a strong set of achievable goals. For us, these goals are attendance and accountability as well as reaching 150 people with our surveys and in-person discussions. These goals are a good way for us to follow up with each other and to hold each other accountable! 

In addition to setting objectives, we have officially begun. The required materials for our project, such as oats, plastic bins, lights, cleaning fluids, brooms, etc. have been ordered and once they arrive it is go time! As soon as the products arrive we will be updating our Instagram (@THE.BUGFARMERS) and blog appropriately. 

Stay Buggy!

Stigma? Why? What even is that?

˙Welcome back to another semester of fun and bugs!!!!! Here soon we will begin the adventures of raising the mealworms and learning about that process first-hand. And don't worry, any and all updates will be added here for leisure reading or insightful tips and tricks (do's and definitely some don'ts). 

So we've introduced entomophagy and where its common. But lets talk about stigma. 

A stigma is defined as "a mark of disgrace associated with a particular circumstance, quality, or person" 

                    Thanks google :)

So in this instance, the stigma, or disgrace associated with eating insects. Where did that come from?

According to TheConversation.com, there is an "ick-factor" that plays a significant role. Bugs are seen in the ground and squashed and scaly and yucky, why would we want to put that into our bodies????? Well this idea that bugs are dirty or gross is a main contributor to their lack of consumption. Makes sense. I mean I don't go around eating food that's fallen onto the ground and covered in dirt, much less a living creatures that LIVES its entire life in the dirt! Crazy concept. BUT. There are so many benefits within the genetic structure of insects that could not only be healthy for humans but could aid in the suppression of climate change and over-harvesting and bad eating habits. 

What mainly keeps you from eating bugs? Could your mind be changed?

This year, my team and I will be asking fellow humans this question and see if minds can be changed. Or at least, if knowledge can be shared!!

Thanks and we'll catch up soon!

Stay Buggy!

Entomophagy! What's the deal?

 Entomophagy is described as " the act of eating insects, especially by people".  Now, its easy to think, why would anyone want tot do that? The last time I even thought about EATING a bug was in the fourth grade when my friend dared me to eat a worm. But what if its really not that crazy??💥💥💥💥?? Actually, in other countries across the globe, villages and tribes cook, prepare, or just catch and dig up these little critters and eat them! Breakfast. Brunch. Lunch. Linner. Dinner. 

Some specific buggy meals are Mod daeng, or weaver ants of Thailand. 

Or. Chicatanas, large flying ants in Mexico. 

(Info curtesy of tasteatlas.com 😁)

There are soooo many benefits to eating insects too!

First and foremost, in my most humble opinion, is the not so catastrophic effect eating and insects has on the environment! Because bugs come in many large numbers (not so fun when its a swarm of angry hornets right?) they can be produced in large quantities with way less amounts of resources used! Now, who doesn't LOVE a bargain????? I do. Another reason bugs are good to consume is because they have many health benefits. Like antimicrobials and antioxidants. They're not just empty calories. And best of all! Their protein is off the charts! 

Bugs in general contain more protein. If a beef steak and a cricket steak weighed the same, the cricket steak would contain roughly 2-3 times more protein.......along with iron and fiber. (naakbar.com)

All in all. Maybe eating that worm wouldn't have been such a bad idea😅

Tune in tomorrow for..............

Stigma, what is it and what does it want?

How are we, the BUG FARMERS, going to breakdown the Western stigma of eating bugs!!!

NAME CHANGE!!

 We have officially changed our name!!

We are proud to officially be The Bug Farmers

                               

WELCOME!!!!!

Hello from the Mealworm Munchers of Truman State University! Our name is still up to be changed so if you have an ideas let us know and keep an eye out for when or if it does!

We are a group of students working on our senior project at Truman State University and we wanted to talk about and work with MEALWORMS! Our goal is to raise mealworms and talk about their lives, their uses, and hopefully how they can be added into people's daily protein intake! 

Our blog is one of our ways of reaching the public and educating as many people as possible. Our hope is to destigmatize the use of bug proteins while making it fun and informative! 

If you want to know any specific information or have questions we are happy to answer them!