November Newsletter
- eehs052811
- Nov 19, 2024
- 3 min read
Hey everyone,The past several months have been full of hard work and exciting progress. We’ve reached several major milestones, and I’m excited to share the updates.
Looking Ahead
Over the next few months, I’ll be in the US focusing on fundraising and building connections for the ministry. I’ll also be working remotely with the team in Honduras to continue the progress on all our projects.
If you know of any pastors, missions, or individuals who might be interested in hearing more about our work, please let me know!
Recent Progress
Chicken Feed Experiments: We’ve completed several experiments on a variety of poultry feed recipes, and have begun further testing on the recipes that are most promising.
Filter System Progress: All operational components of our filter are working as designed.
Automating Data Collection: We’ve made significant progress in automating data collection within the tilapia tanks.
Supplier Research: After extensive research, we’re becoming more confident that we’ve partnered with the most efficient suppliers for raw ingredients that we have access to.
Tilapia Tank and Filter Construction: Construction is complete, and we’re now focusing on designing a replicable model that can be implemented by ministries worldwide.
Living Water Aquaculture’s Mission
Living Water Aquaculture seeks to fight human trafficking, rescue more orphans, and spread the Gospel through helping the IMI - City of Refuge orphanage in Honduras have more sustainable income to put towards their mission. We do this through taking an engineering approach to agriculture on the COR's farm to increase sustainability, and by providing engineering consulting in other areas that the orphanage needs.
Tilapia Tank and Filter System: Key Additions
With the construction of the tank and filter system complete, here are some highlights:
Filter Trigger: We've modified the filter's trigger to allow for a more rapid backwash event.
Sludge Drainage: Exterior sludge drainage pipes are now in place and functioning.
Filter Media: 22ft³ of floating plastic beads have been placed within the filter.
Electrical Components: Housing for electrical components has been constructed.
Below are some pictures of the completed construction along with a link to a timeline that shows the whole construction process.
Major Breakthroughs in Filtration
As mentioned above, we've successfully run full tests on the filter system, and after a few iterations and a lot of problem-solving, all components are working.
Hands-Free Backwashing: The filter is equipped with a hands-free backwashing system triggered by an air blower every few hours. [Backwash Event]
Sludge Removal: Over time, highly concentrated sludge collects in the bottom of our sludge compartment. [Sludge Removal]
Exciting Progress: Chicken Feed Experiments
Recently, we produced a variety of different broiler feed recipes and ran a 7-week experiment to test chicken growth. This experiment has been completed, and we are currently running another experiment to further test the most promising recipe from experiment 1.
This second experiment involves two groups of broiler chickens:
Group 1: Fed our recipe that is produced onsite which offers savings of over 20% when compared to purchasing store-bought feed.
Group 2: Fed the current store-bought feed used at IMI.
The feed recipe is the only different variable within the two groups, and both groups' environments have been optimized for light, water content, and temperature. These controlled conditions have likely also contributed to the faster growth we are seeing when comparing the groups to broiler chickens at other parts of the farm.
Promising Results
Both experimental groups are showing similar growth, and are on track to be harvested a week earlier than standard broiler chickens in other parts of the farm.
For Group 1, in addition to the 20% reduction in feed cost, early harvesting would result in additional savings, eliminating the final week of feed and operational expenses.
Here are some pictures of the current chickens. They are just over 4 weeks old and are fat and happy!
Future Plans with Feed
Continuing research and experiments to refine the recipes further.
Continuing to learn everything we can from others experienced in the field.
Please continue to pray that progress will continue to be made and that IMI will see significant savings that can be reinvested into their mission.
Prayer Requests
Provision during this time of fundraising and that God would lead into the right partnerships.
That we would stay focused on eternity and live sacrificially for those around us.
That God would lead to fruit coming out of this because unless the Lord builds the house, in vain the builders strive.
"And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them."
– 1 John 4:16
Thank you for your continued support
and prayers as we work together
in this work!
- JD Crawford
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