Among the most pressing environmental issues that need to be addressed are food production and food waste. Fortunately, we now have a host of sustainable technologies that can help us grow food without destroying our planet. One of them is insect farming. Founded in 2019, agri-tech start-up FlyFarm has positioned itself as a leader in this growing market, cultivating black soldier fly larvae on organic waste to reduce emissions and produce sustainable protein foods.

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The protein crisis

Driven by the relentless growth of the human population, the global demand for protein is expected to increase by around 60% by 2050. Besides this exponential increase, what is really concerning is the fact that current protein production uses extremely unsustainable methods. Traditional farming systems put enormous pressure on our environment, contributing to the depletion of already stressed wild fish stocks and water sources.

To sustainably meet the protein needs of a global population of 10 billion people by 2050, new farming methods are needed. But what is the best solution? More and more experts would answer this question with two words: breeding insects.

Insect farming: everything you need to know

Insects are incredibly easy to breed due to their rapid reproductive rate and they are also incredibly high in protein. Believe it or not, insects such as mealworms, crickets and black soldier fly larvae have been shown to provide significantly more protein than meat.

Perhaps the greatest advantage of producing edible insects for human and animal consumption is that they can be reared on food scraps. Modern insect farms can produce protein at low cost by recycling organic waste. It doesn’t stop there. When combined with renewable energy, the production process also has a significantly lower carbon footprint. Research suggests that treating waste through the bioconversion of insects generates up to 90% less greenhouse gases than landfilling or composting. In addition, breeding insects saves about 100 times CO2 emissions and requires between 50% and 90% less land compared to conventional farming, freeing up space for growing food for human consumption.

Considering the multitude of benefits, it is no surprise that the insect protein market is growing extremely rapidly and is expected to be worth $10 billion by 2030. About 400 companies worldwide have so far taken up the challenge of producing protein feed from insects and the number is expected to grow very rapidly in the coming years. One of them is flyfarm. Striving to develop insect farms as a means of producing animal feed, the Singapore-based agri-tech company hopes solve some of the most pressing problems in the food chain. We caught up with Constant Tedder, Founder and CEO of FlyFarm, to discuss how Black soldier fly larvae are cultivated for pets as well as for poultry and fish feed.

You might also like: Entomophagy: an easy-to-digest solution to save the planet

How FlyFarm is shaping the insect farming industry

Founded in 2019 by entrepreneur Constant Tedder and Andres Crabbe, Flyfarm Worldwide Ltd., the agritech start-up builds biorefineries that grow black soldier fly larvae on organic waste to reduce emissions and produce sustainable protein foods.

Between 2019 and 2020, the company secured US$1.2 million in seed funding to develop its first highly automated, cloud-connected pilot farm in Brisbane, Australia, where the livestock industry contributes approximately 31 billion Australian dollars (22 billion US dollars) to the national economy every year.

“Our vision is of a world where pets, farmed fish and poultry are fed sustainable protein from insects raised on organic waste,” says Tedder.

Since its inception, FlyFarm has worked with different partners to secure different types of organic food waste to feed their black soldier fly larvae, including farm waste, agro-industry and food preparation waste, leftovers from retailers as well as food and beverage manufacturing waste – such as brewers’ spent grains.

FlyFarm’s choice of insects is no coincidence. Black soldier fly larvae have enormous potential. These tropical insects are a super converter of organic waste with an incredibly high growth rate. Not only can they eat 50 times their body weight in virtually any type of food waste, but female flies can also deposit between 200 and 600 eggs, which hatch after about four days, making them an extremely prolific species. Additionally, black soldier fly larvae are very high in protein, making them an excellent food source for pets, poultry, and fish.

Based in Singapore, Tedder and Crabbe work with a team of passionate and skilled engineers and biologists located in Brisbane – where they are working to build a demonstration plant that proves FlyFarm’s latest technology – and are now looking to develop their activities in Tasmania. The company recently embarked on an innovative collaborative research partnership with James Cook University (JCU) to better understand and advance Black Soldier Fly (BSF) larvae production at industrial scale.

FlyFarm Systems builds robots and software to automate the farming process.

By choosing to be part of the protein production industry, FlyFarm is tackling some of the most pressing environmental issues while generating high value products and promoting a circular economy“The issues we are tackling are organic waste, the emissions and the costs it generates – and the unsustainable supply of protein for the growing pet food and aquatic animal feed markets. ” – explains Tedder.

“Our goal is to build a technology-driven, cutting-edge protein production company become a global agri-tech company with high impact, and we want to do it with negative emissions. »

Final Thoughts

Large-scale insect production requires little land, water or energy, and many species can be nurtured using organic food waste or by-products of industrial processes. In addition to reducing manufacturing costs, this also solves the problem of food waste, making insects even more durable.

Earth.Org believes there is a gargantuan opportunity to recycle organic waste and believes companies like flyfarm show that insect bioconversion eliminates emissions while producing high-value, sustainable proteins.

Challenges remain for post-consumer waste regarding segregation of waste and incentives for consumers to ensure their waste is free of contaminants. Governments should ensure that organic waste can be recycled.

You might also like: 11 effective solutions for food waste

There’s a reason candles play a role in religious traditions and mindfulness practices around the world. Fire is the basis of human life and we react to it accordingly. A 2014 study in Evolutionary Psychology found that even looking at a registration a fireplace or campfire can induce physical and mental relaxation.

It’s no wonder so many of us enjoy burning candles – especially scented candles – in our homes.

But over the past few years, a number of articles have cropped up suggesting that burning candles releases potentially dangerous hydrocarbons into the air.

It’s a scary thing to read, but don’t let it dampen your mood. At least not yet.

We spoke to pulmonologist Sobia Farooq, MD, about the dangers candles pose to your health. Spoiler alert: Lit candles can contribute to indoor air pollution, but given all the research available, it doesn’t care who chooses to light them (in a well-ventilated space, at least).

Can burning candles be harmful to health?

When it comes to candles, the question is not whether they contribute to air pollution. We know this because it is a product of combustion. But what the medical and scientific community is divided on is whether the emissions they generate, however small, can have a significant impact on your health.

What happens when you burn a candle?

When you burn a candle, you release hydrocarbons – chemical compounds made up of hydrogen and carbon – into the air. In particular, burning candles releases traces of toluene and benzene.

We commonly use toluene in paint thinners and adhesives. Without adequate ventilation, exposure to toluene can irritate eyes, nose, throat and skin. It can also cause headaches, dizziness, confusion, and anxiety.

Benzene is a gas emitted by forest fires, volcanoes and the burning of coal or oil. We use benzene primarily in industrial and pharmaceutical settings, but the vast majority (90%) of all exposure to benzene occurs as a result of smoking. Benzene is carcinogenic, having been found to increase the risk of leukemia and other blood cancers.

Who is at risk?

Although you don’t want to inhale significant amounts of toluene, benzene, or any other hydrocarbon, the small amount released when you burn a candle is only of concern in certain situations.

According to Dr. Farooq, a small number of studies suggest an association between candle burning and bladder cancer. “All these volatile organic hydrocarbons build up in the blood,” she explains. “They end up being excreted through the bladder, hence the link to bladder cancer.”

As a result, Dr Farooq says people under watch, living with, or in remission from bladder cancer might want to take it easy. Likewise, she encourages people with chronic lung conditions like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) to be aware of air pollution levels in their homes.

Frankly, however, the science isn’t strong enough to suggest that we should stop buying and burning candles.

In fact, we engage in much higher risk activities every day. According to Dr Farooq, indoor cooking increases particles in the air and has been linked to respiratory illnesses. A scented candle is simply not dangerous in comparison.

“There is no imminent danger,” says Dr Farooq. “You just need to be aware of investing in high-quality candles and keeping them in well-ventilated areas.”

Are some waxes better than others?

Although concerns about burning candles are overblown, it is true that some candles are better than others. The type and quality of the wax can change the amount and type of emissions generated by the candle. Although there’s no definitive science proving it hurts, Dr. Farooq suggests avoiding paraffin wax. Paraffin is made from petroleum and appears to generate higher emissions than other waxes. And paraffin-based candles tend to be less expensive.

“In some cases,” she explains, “these cheaper products contain more formaldehyde-generating materials and a lower melting point. It has been suggested – but not proven – that cheaper candles are more dangerous because they contain more volatile organic carbons.

If it is listed, check the paraffin content of the candle you are considering buying. Whenever you can, opt for beeswax, soy or other vegetable waxes instead.

Although they can be pretty to look at, Dr. Farooq also suggests skipping candles that have been dyed out. “The dye used to color the candles contains benzidine,” she says, which is also linked to an increased risk of bladder cancer.

Are scented candles toxic?

For every person who likes to relax with a scented candle, there’s another person who gets a headache (or runny) just thinking about it.

There is no science to suggest that scented candles are inherently more dangerous than the unscented variety. Like all candles, they release volatile organic compounds, but in amounts that should not pose a health risk. For the safest aromatherapy adventure possible, choose high-quality candles that do not use dyes or paraffin.

Regardless of toxicity, many people have allergic reactions to scented candles. For some, scented candles can even trigger asthma attacks.

Simply put, when it comes to scented candles, your mileage may vary.

What about wick toxicity?

Although once a cause for considerable concern, many countries have taken steps to prevent the use of lead and metal core candle wicks, which can produce dangerous emissions and cause lead poisoning.

Australia was the first country to ban the use of lead fuses. While most American manufacturers stopped using lead in their candle wicks in the 1970s, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) only banned the sale and import of candles with lead wicks. ‘in 2003.

If you’re not sure if your country has banned lead candle wicks, just be sure to buy candles with paper, cotton, or wooden wicks.

How to burn candles safely

If you’re like most people, the therapeutic benefits of burning candles far outweigh any health risks they may pose. But that doesn’t mean you can’t make healthy choices to improve the experience and protect yourself from crashes.

Treat yourself to quality candles

Good news for all lovers of scented candles! Expensive candles may be bad for your wallet, but they are a good investment for your health.

According to Dr. Farooq, the candle industry is not as well regulated as it could be. “Studies suggest that lower quality candles emit more particles and chemicals. Higher quality candles burn very slowly. So if you’re looking to minimize risk, stick with the fancy stuff.

Of course, the safest candle in the world is as safe as the person burning it. This is why it is of crucial importance to follow candle safety guidelines.

Follow fire safety instructions

If you’re looking for a reason to stop burning candles altogether, the most obvious safety hazard – fire – is also the most important. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), firefighters respond to approximately 7,400 structure fires in the United States caused by candles each year. Result: an average of 90 dead, 670 injured and nearly 300 million dollars in material damage.

Although they are significantly smaller than the fires we burn in bonfires, fire pits and fireplaces, we should always exercise caution and common sense when interacting with candles. The following safety tips will help keep you and your family safe:

1. Trim the wick to 1/4 inch.
2. Use a wick ladle to keep the wax pool clear of debris at all times.
3. Burn your candle in a well-ventilated room, away from anything that could catch fire.
4. Never burn a candle for more than four hours.
5. Never leave a candle unattended or burn it if you risk falling asleep.
6. Instead of blowing out a candle or using a snuffer, use a wick ladle to gently immerse the wick in the pool of wax. This method generates no smoke or wax splatter.
7. Do not attempt to touch or reposition your candle until it has had time to cool.

Alternatives to candles

If you’d rather avoid candles altogether, but still want the feeling of a lit candle in your home, consider these alternatives:

• Ghee and oil lamps, such as diyas (which are used in several religions across the Indian subcontinent), are smokeless and less toxic than candles or incense.
• Flameless candles, while certainly not comparable to the real thing, do not pose a fire hazard.
• If you’re buying scented candles for the smell, melted wax might be a suitable substitute. According to Dr. Farooq, the lower temperatures used for wax melting result in fewer combustion byproducts.

you do yourself

Although not all candles are created equal, there is little scientific evidence to suggest that they pose a hazard to your health. As long as you take all the proper fire safety precautions, go ahead and “light up.”

CALGARY, Alta., Nov. 16, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — ApartmentLove Inc. (CSE: APLV) (OTCQB: APMLF) (“ApartmentLove“or the”Company”) is pleased to announce that it has been cleared to commence trading of its common stock on the OTCQB^® Venture capital market (“OTCQB”), effective today, November 16, 2022, under the ticker symbol APMLF.

“We are pleased to provide investors with another respected and professional marketplace for trading our common stock and we look forward to increasing the awareness of our company to U.S. investors,” said Trevor Davidson, President and Chief Executive Officer of ApartmentLove. Mr Davidson added: “We believe trading on the OTCQB^® can lead to increased overall liquidity and visibility in these dynamic global capital markets.

The OTCQB^® is a leading marketplace for US and international start-up and development companies. Recognized as an established public market by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, the OTCQB^® has helped companies create significant shareholder value, including improving liquidity and valuation. Investors can benefit from efficient trading through their preferred broker or financial advisor, transparent pricing with real-time quotes, and reliable disclosure made widely available to brokers and data providers. Steps.

The Company is also pleased to announce that its common stock is now fully eligible for electronic clearing and settlement in the United States through the Depository Trust Company (“DTC”).

DTC eligibility is expected to simplify the trading process and improve the liquidity of the Company’s common stock in the United States.

DTC is a subsidiary of the Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation, a US company that handles electronic clearing and settlement for publicly traded companies. Securities eligible for electronic clearing and settlement through DTC are considered “DTC-eligible”. This electronic securities clearing method expedites the receipt of stocks and cash, and thus speeds up the settlement process for investors and brokers, allowing stocks to be traded on a much wider selection of brokerage firms by complying to their requirements.

The story continues

The Company’s common shares will continue to trade on the Canadian Securities Exchange under the symbol APLV.

About ApartmentLove Inc.

ApartmentLove Inc. (CSE: APLV) (OTCQB: APMLF) is a leading provider of online rental marketing services for owners, renters and vacationers in more than 30 countries around the world. Having proven its ability to evolve as a fast-growing “PropTech” in today’s complex and dynamic market environments, ApartmentLove continues to grow through an acquisition program – the purchase of businesses add-ons that have many monthly active users, a track record of recurring revenue, positive cash flow, and custom technologies that accelerate and de-stress the rental experience while simultaneously advancing its own organic growth strategies in key markets to worldwide. ApartmentLove Inc. is a publicly traded company whose common stock is listed on the Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE: APLV) and OTCQB^® Venture Capital Market (OTCQB: APMLF).

For more information, visit https://apartmentlove.com/investors or contact:

Trevor Davidson
President and CEO
ApartmentLove Inc.
tdavidson@apartmentlove.com
(647) 272-9702

Notice to readers

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor the OTCQB Venture Market accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Certain information in this press release contains forward-looking statements that involve important known and unknown risks and uncertainties, some of which are beyond the Company’s control. Forward-looking statements are often characterized by words such as “plan”, “continue”, “expect”, “project”, “intend”, “believe”, “anticipate”, “estimate”, “may”, “will”, “potential”, “proposed” and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions “may” or “will” occur. These statements are only predictions. Readers are cautioned that the assumptions used in the preparation of this information, although believed to be reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise and, accordingly, no undue reliance should be placed on forward-looking statements of any kind. it would be. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, improving the liquidity of the Company’s shares; the Company continues to execute and realize the benefits of its organic growth mandate; the Company’s ability to complete acquisitions of short-term and/or long-term rental marketing websites; the Company realizing the benefits of its growth through an acquisition mandate; and the Company’s ability to generate positive cash flow. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law. The risk factors can be found in the Company’s continuous disclosure documents which have been filed on SEDAR and can be viewed at www.sedar.com.

ApartmentLove^® | the feeling of being at home

Natural fragrances have been in high demand and are expected to reach a global market value of $20.8 billion by 2024. But for creatives like Frances Shoemack, founder of Abel, it’s not just about creating a product devoid of synthetic fragrance notes, but celebrating the full aromatic profile and benefits that Mother Nature has to offer. From the essential oils to the naturally occurring unique flavor compounds and organic alcohol base in the formulas, every ingredient has been chosen with the utmost discernment.

Based in New Zealand and with products currently sold in 33 countries, the company began in 2011 in Amsterdam, when Shoemack, a winemaker by trade, struggled to find natural fragrances that suited her tastes. Launched in 2013, Abel now offers a curated range of 100% plant-derived, cruelty-free and vegan fragrances, made with ethically sourced ingredients (the majority of which are courtesy of Symrise), packaged in compostable packaging. FSC and Bakelite, sent to customers with low carbon shipping. A portion of the profits are donated to 1% For The Planet and Mary’s Meals.

Created in collaboration with master perfumer Isaac Sinclair, the brand’s latest releases include Pause, designed to balance mind and body in the face of hormonal changes, and Cyan Nori, a fragrance dedicated to the ocean. Pause is a melting floral offering notes of violet leaf, narcissus, mimosa and hay, all chosen for their stabilizing and calming properties. Cyan Nori offsets the plant-derived musk with fruity notes of tangerine and peach, complemented by a salty scent. While the brand started out with eau de parfums, it recently launched a line of alcohol-free extracts, containing therapeutic-grade essential oils with a 25% concentration.

In a true embodiment of the principle of “kill your darlings”, for each new release of the Abel wallet, a product is dropped in an effort to counter excessive consumerism. The company also discloses all ingredients in its formulations, rather than retaining certain ingredients under the “perfume” label, and is currently pushing for broader ingredient disclosure across the fragrance industry, encouraging its customers to take action and to campaign for change.

BeautyMatter sat down with Shoemack to discuss the brand’s international DNA, the evolution and dominant myths of natural perfumery, and Abel’s crusade for increased transparency and an overhaul of ingredients.

To begin with, what parallels do you draw between winemaking and perfumery?

Both disciplines are really where science meets art and finds harmony in olfactory, which is quite a singular similarity between the two. When it comes to how we make perfume at Abel, we’re even more informed by my experience in the wine industry, including how we put ingredients forward. In wine, they say you can’t make good wine with bad grapes, and in perfume, it’s exactly the same thing. The incredible natural ingredients are what make our fragrances so special, complex and long lasting.

How has spending time between New Zealand and Amsterdam influenced your practice of perfumery?

Abel is lucky to have these two amazing places in his DNA. Growing up in New Zealand surrounded by nature has shaped my own experiences and palette, as well as that of our master perfumer Isaac Sinclair. Similarly, for both of us, later life experiences in European global hubs (Paris and Milan for him, Amsterdam for me) shaped the brand’s urban aesthetic.

How would you describe the working partnership with Isaac when it comes to creating perfume?

Extremely collaborative! Normally, Isaac and I sit together in the lab in Paris at the start of perfume development and really solidify the creative concept between the two of us. We continue like this, with very little involvement from the outside world. It’s a great working partnership.

What are the challenges of creating an ethical and sustainable supply chain?

If you try to be truly aware, there are no black and white answers. For example, glass is infinitely recyclable, but also heavy (for transport). It’s important to weigh the pros and cons and make decisions based on your brand values. I’m always skeptical when I hear brands make sweeping statements about sustainability or make them sound simple – it’s not, sustainability is very nuanced. At Abel we combat this by being very open and transparent with our clients so that even if hindsight proves that a decision was not the best, we can show why that decision was made. Basically, we do our best and take our customers with us.

What do you think of the evolution of the natural fragrance category and the rise of clean fragrances?

I’m excited to see a category of natural fragrances starting to emerge. When I launched Abel almost a decade ago, I felt at the time that the fragrance was really behind other sectors in terms of what is often called “clean”. It took several more years since then for the category to really start to emerge. . As with any emerging industry, there is some fine-tuning to be made about what is important or what different terms mean. What’s great is that consumers are ahead of the game, demanding transparency, getting behind brands doing the right thing, and the industry is aware that things can’t go on like they are. have done so, relying on petrochemicals.

After losing a loved one to cancer at the age of 23, Azril Dino Abd Malik was struck by the thought of his own mortality. The search for ways to improve his health led him directly to honey.

“That’s why I started taking Aussie honey every morning and then an article came out that [a brand] admitted that his honey was adulterated,” he says. About 80% of the honey found on the market is fake or synthetic.

Stunned, Dino wondered how he could get his hands on the real deal. He came across a company that offered a profit sharing program for Kelulut’s stingless bees and was excited to invest. At the time, Dino was a systems support analyst at IBM, where he spent 13 years, and thought the program’s passive income as well as free honey would be an added bonus. Unfortunately, he got scammed and instead of making big profits every month, Dino was wronged for two years. To make matters worse, he was fired from IBM.

“My wife and I sat down, and she said, ‘You already have your bee colonies there, why don’t you focus full time on that?'”

And he did. The early years were certainly an uphill battle. First, as Dino was based in Kota Damansara in Petaling Jaya, he had to travel nearly two hours a day to Kuala Pilah’s farm, Negeri Sembilan. There was also a lot to learn about this variety of bees. Trigona honey, also known as madu kelulutis made by stingless bees, which are slightly different from their better known stinging cousins.

“Everyone knows about stinging bees and how they store honey in honeycombs. Stingless bees store it in propolis pods. That’s the difference. Bees come out and find tree resin to make propolis pods, which has antimicrobial and anti-cancer properties.Then they find the nectar from the flowers and fill the pods.When the pod is full, they seal it.It is left for 30-40 days for all the properties of the propolis are infused with honey, which is why this honey is actually 10 times more beneficial than regular honey.

Kelulut honey is said to have many health benefits. Because bees are smaller than their stinging counterparts, they can penetrate deeper into flowers and extract more nutrients. Scientists have also discovered that, unlike most varieties, it contains trehalulose, a type of sugar that Dino says doesn’t raise levels in our bodies, but rather balances them out. He recommends consuming a spoonful of honey 30 minutes before eating in the morning or once a night.

“It is best taken just before going to sleep. When we sleep, our body actually heals naturally, so if you take a spoonful before bed, the healing process multiplies, it goes into beast mode,” he adds.

Knowing the benefits of honey was one thing, producing and harvesting it was another. “I took all kinds of courses organized by private companies as well as government agencies. I went from zero to at least some kind of knowledge. We knew all the theory but when you’re on the farm, it’s different, it’s the practice [aspect]. It was necessary to combine theory and practice. »

Learning from research that a colony can produce anywhere from 500 grams to a kilo of honey, Dino had high hopes for his 300 colonies. However, this fact did not take into account environmental concerns such as food source and weather conditions. He and his team had to study bees, even at night, to learn their ways and what works best for them.

Trigona bees develop their hives in tree trunks, which posed another problem. “In order for us to have a colony, at first we had to cut down trees. Since I started with 300 colonies, I was responsible for cutting down 300 trees.

The chopped log will eventually decompose, forcing the bees to relocate or die. Keeping the hive inside the log also limits beekeepers’ control over a complication. For example, Dino tells us about a company that imported hives from Thailand that ended up being infested with a type of maggot called the black soldier fly. Not knowing what to do, the staff ended up burning all the affected colonies for fear that the maggots would spread.

Dino eventually developed the Technohive, which means fewer trees are injured and beekeepers have more control over colonies. For example, if a hive is weak enough, they can import soldiers from a stronger hive, or if a queen is missing, they can find a new one. The Technohive gives the team easy access to the bees for harvesting as well as to check their progress non-invasively.

“When I started, I didn’t expect to do this full time. Eventually, the passion grows. At first I didn’t want to sell, but people kept asking to taste our honey.

This is how Dino Kelulut was born, a brand whose goal is to be the largest producer of high quality, healthy and premium Kelulut honey in all of Asia.

In 2018, Dino Kelulut was approached by Four Seasons Hotel Kuala Lumpur for their aptly named Bar Trigona. “They were looking for something Malaysian and unique. They were trying to get real honey and were impressed with what they saw. We’re really grateful because they actually helped introduce our honey to many tourists, which is great because it’s like a Malaysian treasure, our national treasure,” adds Dino.

This partnership has also raised awareness about stingless bees, many of whom are surprised at their existence. Since then, Dino Kelulut has greatly expanded his farms.

In 2019, Bar Trigona launched the “Save the Bees” program to help support bees and biodiversity. As part of this initiative, customers are invited to adopt a beehive at Dino’s Kelulut Organic Farm for RM500 per year. In return, customers will receive a bottle of bee propolis, six jars of handmade Trigona honey, a personalized adoption certificate, as well as quarterly updates on the busy bees’ progress. As these buzzing creatures are responsible for pollinating approximately 80% of the world’s fruits and vegetables and are integral to our survival, this initiative will encourage natural beekeeping methods and help preserve the environment.

With the help of Bar Trigona, we had the opportunity to visit one of Dino Kelulut’s production farms in Negeri Sembilan. Situated behind a few unassuming houses – with no signage as settlements tend to be stolen and sold for profit – there are five acres of land that are home to around 100 Technohives. Assistant Bar Manager Julian Benjamin Brigget and new Bar Manager Rohan Matmary joined us on this excursion, while Dino explained how Technohives work and told us about the different species on the farm.

Another unique quality of Kelulut honey is that it tastes sour with a sweet finish. These stingless bees are multifloral, meaning they have a variety of food sources. Thus, the species and location of each hive would determine the flavor profile of the honey.

In Brazil, the same species of Trigona is said to produce an intensely sweet product, while the Malaysian counterpart has a layered, more sour flavor. Hives placed near a starfruit or rambutan are more influenced by its flavor than those farther away, and since these plants are seasonal, the taste of the honey changes accordingly. The very small Trigona bee species, which can crawl even deeper into flowers, have sweeter honey than most, but Dino notes that they also produce a much lower yield.

There are many shortcuts in the beekeeping industry, which often affect the quality of golden nectar. Some feed bees sugar water to ensure they don’t have to travel far, but we have learned that bees can get diabetes too, which also affects the health properties of their honey. Other beekeepers dilute or flavor the nectar in the propolis pods so that when guests come to taste the honey, it ends up tasting “perfectly” sweet. There are also farms that harvest honey immediately once the pods are full, instead of waiting the recommended 40 days, resulting in an instant reduction in quality. While aware of these tricks, Dino is adamant about maintaining the quality of the honey it produces, as many customers have returned to applaud the benefits they have reaped, from better digestion to their overall health.

Dino has worked hard to develop technology that will improve his business and beekeeping in general. Thanks to a grant from Sirim Bhd, he created a prototype device capable of measuring the amount of honey collected during harvest to prevent any disappearance. Collected data is also directly uploaded to a cloud server for convenience.

Initially, Dino Kelulut’s honey had to be permanently refrigerated. “Our honey is hygroscopic and therefore absorbs moisture from its surroundings. Malaysia is very humid, so a lot of moisture goes into the honey. That’s why it’s more runny and very watery,” he says.

This honey also continues to ferment if not refrigerated, and keeping the bottles in warm spaces can lead to unexpected explosions (which has happened more than once). “We didn’t want to lower the water level earlier because the only way to do that was to apply heat to the honey. This will affect the honey – it will not maintain the natural state and health benefits,” adds Dino.

Working again with Sirim, they developed a kind of ceramic dehumidifier to remove the water from the honey, stopping the fermentation process and allowing it to be stored safely at room temperature. From now on, Dino Kelulut can start exporting his honey and customers of Bar Trigona can travel with their bottles in complete safety.

Dino focuses as much on education as it does on the business side. He hopes people will be more aware of the hard work of beekeeping as well as the many benefits bees have on the environment and the positive impact of consuming kelulut honey.

“Now we’re working with local universities to research the use of this honey and why it’s so good. Because it’s already Malaysia’s first superfood, we want to see how we can maintain the quality and eventually make it a commodity in 2030, like rubber and palm oil.

For more information or to adopt a hive see here or call (03) 2382 8888.

This article was first published on October 24, 2022 in The Edge Malaysia.

Social media marketing is a versatile tool that can benefit businesses of all sizes. According to research, people spend an average of two and a half hours a day on social media. Powerful social media users may spend half of their waking time sharing content and interacting with followers and friends.

Multi-million dollar brands have been launched on platforms like Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. All use similar strategies that help them build trust, increase conversions and revenue, and get their customers raving about their products and services.

Getting started with SMM

Social media marketing is the art of building a brand using social media. SMM experts promote products and services using various platforms and tools to find new audiences, expand user bases, and gather data to launch advertising campaigns and improve offerings.

Content is at the heart of social media marketing. Platforms allow different forms of content to be published and shared. They include short texts, longreads, images, GIFs, videos, carousels and reels. Well-crafted content gets promoted by social media algorithms and goes viral.

Two forms of content

• Organic content is posted for free for the brand’s audience to share and interact with. It is often used to improve brand awareness and warm up cold leads.
• Paid content can reach a much larger audience. The brand also has more control over who sees a paid promotion and how often it is shown. Almost any piece of content can be amplified using paid methods as long as it complies with the platform’s terms of service.

IMPORTANT:

A successful SMM strategy uses a mix of organic and paid content. Creating such a strategy requires careful planning, constant testing, and study of your audience. It can be further optimized to reduce your expenses or increase conversions.

Reasons to Use Social Media Marketing

On average, 9 out of 10 marketers use at least a few social media marketing tools. Social media marketing is one of the most affordable and cost effective ways to promote your business.

1. Build trust and brand awareness

Cybercrime is on the rise. Potential customers avoid buying even from legitimate online stores due to the risk of theft or manipulation of their sensitive data. New online businesses often struggle to convince buyers to make a purchase.

Social media is one of the most useful tools for allaying the fears of your potential customers. An active, organic social media presence can convince most visitors that your online activity is legitimate and safe.

• To increase trust, make sure all your branding and design elements are consistent across multiple platforms.
• Your business pages and email accounts should provide a secure link to your primary e-commerce site.
• Leave replies to comments and answer questions.
• Use your profile to share reviews, videos, and other user-generated content about your products.
• Keep the same tone of voice on social media and on your business website.

IMPORTANT:

Linking your website content to social media and having a website widget that displays recent posts or user comments is a great way to build trust.

2. Increase customer satisfaction through better service

You can respond to user comments and messages publicly or privately via direct messaging. Make sure your brand personality and voice remain consistent in your communication. Use a checklist to answer the most common questions and concerns. As a general rule, you should respond at least within an hour of a user mentioning your profile.

Using chat-bots with machine learning and AI can help you automate 80% of user queries.

3. Transform communities using brand values

Buyers increasingly want to be represented by your brand. If your brand values ​​represent a certain group of people, create a community devoted to their personal interests, concerns, and stories. Sharing stories about how your products are used and the benefits they bring to people builds brand loyalty.

Successful brands like Nike or Starbucks have a large loyal following who serve as brand ambassadors to their friends and family members.

IMPORTANT:

Your brand community should remain a safe space for its participants. Focus on real people and their experiences and let them tell their stories as freely as possible.

4. Follow trends

Understanding the viral trends, fads, and challenges your audience is engaging with is a surefire way to make your content go viral. Monitoring popular topics and hashtags can give you insight into what’s hot right now. New memes quickly appear and fade into oblivion, be sure to stay timely and relevant.

5. Use the power of social shopping

According to experts, 7 out of 10 shoppers browse a brand’s social media before making a purchase. In-app stores, widgets, shoppable images, and other e-commerce tools can be integrated with social media platforms to increase conversions and revenue.

Press release distributed by The Express Wire

To see the original version on The Express Wire, visit 5 Ways Brands Can Benefit From Social Media Marketing

Dr. Phil and Dr. Oz have been making headlines everywhere with what they recently announced in an exclusive interview. And while America applauds their creation, the pharmaceutical industry digs for a lawsuit.

The top doctors have announced that a project they’ve been working on for years has finally come to fruition, and its users couldn’t be more excited about it. Here is what Dr. Oz said:

“Most people have by now heard of the cannabinoid oil, commonly referred to as CBD. However, not everyone knows how it works. Some older men and women see CBD as having hallucinogenic effects like ‘pot’ or “grass”. This causes a negative stigma. CBD actually contains no THC, which means that there is absolutely no hallucinogenic effect. This is completely different. But there was still a problem with the CBD on the market…

Although current companies sell CBD, the type of CBD is not potent enough to have real life-changing results. Dr. Phil and I hired a team of 10 reputable doctors and scientists to find a solution to this problem. And what they found was 10 times better than we had imagined.”

“CBD is by far the most health-conscious solution for older men and women” -Dr Sanjay Gupta

After Dr. Oz and Dr. Phil’s announcement, they received calls from Pfizer (Advil) and Johnson & Johnson (Tylenol) offering to immediately buy out their new technology. Dr. Phil immediately fired back, “Dr. Oz and I plan to provide our product to all of America’s elderly men and women, so that they can live a better life free from the use of harmful drugs that are sold to the public. If this occurs at the fall of ‘a big name pharmaceutical company, so be it!’

1. Hunger

1. Hunger

You are tired of being hungry all the time. So you rebel.

Foods that can make you hungry

2. Cravings
You constantly crave certain tastes like salty, sweet or sour. So you rebel.

3. Feeling of restriction
You feel like you can’t eat out, go anywhere, or do anything because you’re on a diet. Plus, you’re so panicked about what you can and can’t eat and when you should or shouldn’t eat it that your focus on food becomes voracious. So you rebel.

How to splurge without derailing your weight loss

4. Impracticality and Expenses
Between your job, kids, stress, and life, you feel like you can’t do it all and stick to a diet, especially one that’s overly complicated, expensive, and requires you to count calories or nutritional values. So you rebel.

5. Boredom
You are tired of eating the same foods day after day. So you rebel.

How to Curb Emotional or Habitual Overeating

6. Temptations
Because your environment is not foolproof, you are overwhelmed with your desire for tempting food all around you. So you rebel.

7. Inconsistent results and plateaus
You get discouraged because the weight loss is not consistent. Or you lose weight for a while, but your progress comes to a screeching halt. So you rebel. Now that’s a lot of rebellion! I knew if you and I were going to get along, then I had to solve these seven problems for you. I had to devise a plan that wouldn’t be sabotaged by these seven flaws that have kept many other people from reaching their weight loss goals. And that’s exactly what this diet is designed to do. I knew that if you were going to be successful, this regime had to find solutions to these seven “rebellion triggers” so that your experience would include:

So while these companies were on the cutting edge, the new product was busy flying off the shelves. It sold out within 15 minutes of launching online and it seems the country never tires of the benefits and results.

The revolutionary product that the doctors produced is called . Their team of hand-picked doctors and scientists have spent the past four years developing a product that has already proven to be an incredible healer for any elderly person with even mild pain or anxiety.

One of the most reputable magazines for doctors, the Journal of the American Medical Associationeven said:

“Users of experience results that were previously only possible with prescription drugs. It’s obviously a much cheaper and safer alternative and because of that, pharmaceutical companies have a harder time getting patients to use their prescriptions.

From there, the reviews started piling up. Older men and women who have tried the product were so amazed at the results they saw in the first two weeks that they didn’t blink twice when we followed up to get More details. Here are a few :

What’s the secret ! ?

The power of can be attributed to its method of extracting the hemp plant. The patented technology used by the team of doctors and scientists who formulated the unique blend extracts a higher concentration of the active ingredient, cannabidiol.

has been found to have a positive impact on key body functions including – neurological, physical and psychological.

This includes, but is not limited to:

• Reduces chronic pain
• Supports joint health
• Reduces anxiety
• Reduces headaches
• Reduces blood sugar
• Supports cognitive health
• Antioxidant support

In the most-watched episode of Dr. Oz of 2019, he decided to offer the public and even sent samples to her celebrity clientele. Since, has cultivated a huge following that regularly reorders products.

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Dr. Phil has a special offer just for you!

Whereas sells everywhere, Dr. Phil didn’t want our readers to miss out on enjoying the benefits of for themselves.

In order to further market the product, Dr. Phil is offering our lucky readers an exclusive chance to try free! While everywhere else online is completely out of stock, Dr. Phil has reserved a limited amount of . No need to rush to the stores or wait in line. You can order your free sample of the supplement now from the comfort of your own home. The only thing you will have to pay is the discounted shipping rate, which is less than $6!

If you want to finally free yourself from aches and pains while promoting a much happier mood, be sure to use every day. This product is designed to give you amazing results.

Due to the high demand for Dr. Phil’s offer is limited, so you’ll need to act fast to take advantage of it!

“I personally guarantee that my product will work for you, just as it has for 90% of customers who have used it in their daily routine so far” – Dr. Phil

Our food system is in peril, with growing instability in agriculture due to climate change, widespread food insecurity, and a continued reliance on chemicals that threaten health and the environment. It’s time to give more attention (and resources) to tried and tested solutions. Organic farming is an ideal starting point.

The new NRDC report, Grow Organic: The Climate, Health, and Economic Cases for Expanding Organic Agriculture, published in partnership with Arizona State University’s Swette Center for Sustainable Food Systems and Californians for Pesticide Reform, distills the latest scientific research into the benefits of large-scale organic farming systems and offers the insights of more than a dozen of organic farmers and ranchers around the world. the country working on all scales of organic farming. It also explains the pitfalls of our current agricultural system and provides concrete policy recommendations on how to maximize the benefits of organic.

Our climate, our health and our economies need more organic farming

Unlike conventional agriculture, which relies on fossil fuel-intensive pesticides and fertilizers that harm human health and pollute our air, water and soil, organic agriculture is based on a set of principles and of values ​​centered on ecological diversity, natural materials and healthy soil. . To be certified “organic,” farmers and ranchers must adhere to a set of science-based practices, rooted in Indigenous ecosystem knowledge and now defined in federal law, that treat agriculture and nature as a holistic system. and interdependent, both below and above the ground.

Organic reduces emissions and builds resilience

Organic reduces the greenhouse gas (GHG) footprint of agriculture by avoiding most fossil fuel-based inputs, and it builds climate resilience by promoting healthy soils, diversifying food crops and supporting endangered wildlife habitats and biodiversity. Data shows that organic farms emit less nitrous oxide by avoiding chemical fertilizers and pesticides commonly used in conventional agriculture, and that organic animal production generates less methane emissions compared to animal feed operations concentrate (CAFO) conventional.

By building healthy soil that retains water and stores carbon, organic farming also builds resilience and stabilizes our food supply in the face of drought and other extreme weather conditions that will occur with increasing frequency in a changing climate.

Organic protects and promotes health

Organic farming dramatically reduces exposure to pesticides, which cause serious acute and chronic health problems for farm workers and communities near conventional farms. Organic producers also avoid the vast majority of chemicals and other substances that are permitted in or on non-organic foods, and they limit contamination of waterways from fertilizers and waste.

Organic contributes to prosperity and revitalizes communities

Organic creates significant economic vitality and growth for farmers and farming communities. Researchers have identified “organic hotspots” in the United States where increased organic production generates new jobs, reduces unemployment, and stimulates the growth of agricultural businesses in a region. An emerging generation of young farmers are discovering that organic farming can be both productive and profitable, allowing these farmers to stay in business and increase production for local and regional markets.

Organic agriculture needs federal (and state) support to reach its full potential

Unfortunately, federal investments in technical assistance, research and commercialization have not matched the steady and rapid growth of the organic sector. For example, in 2021, the The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) spent only 2% of its organic research budget.

A significant increase in funding for organic agriculture – through the Farm Bill and across the federal government – is long overdue, especially as farmers and ranchers become more interested in the practices. sustainability and resilience to climate change. We must expand existing programs that support organic farming and ranching, develop new ones, and ensure that organic is for everyone, including producers and communities of color who have not been served. equitably by federal agricultural policies or our food system. Our report offers detailed policy recommendations to maximize the potential of organic agriculture, including:

Reducing barriers to organic: Producers who wish to obtain organic certification must undertake a long, difficult and financially risky process, usually with little government support. We need more resources that support organic transition, especially for Black, Indigenous, and Other People of Color (BIPOC). We must also devote a fair share of research, technical assistance and other public investment to agriculture to facilitate the path to organic certification.

Advancing Equity in Organic Agriculture: BIPOC producers face unique and significant barriers within the organic sector, which must be addressed to ensure that the organic sector represents and serves diverse communities. Congress and the USDA should prioritize an array of targeted services for under-resourced geographies and communities, including the Southeast, tribes, and non-English-speaking producers.

Expand markets and increase access to organic products: The federal government can help develop organic food markets and increase access to healthy foods by leveraging its own purchasing power. Organic should be a priority in all government food programs and agency buying advice.

Consider “real costs” in policy making: Current processes for assessing the pros and cons of our public investments tend to value the private economic benefits to business against the public costs of environmental, health and social damages, if those costs are even taken into account. Instead, the USDA should analyze the full costs and benefits of policies to better align public investments with public benefits.

After 20 years of federally regulated organic production, with minimal public support and funding, the organic sector has already exceeded expectations, growing at a rate far exceeding that of heavily subsidized conventional production. Making organic a national priority is an essential investment in our future.

Satoshi Nakamoto, the pseudonymous founder of Bitcoin, once said, “Bitcoin would be convenient for people who don’t have a credit card.”

According to the World Bank, this represents at least 1.4 billion people. Most of these people reside in emerging countries such as Nigeria and El Salvador. Are these unbanked individuals at the forefront of “hyperbitcoinization” – the point where Bitcoin becomes the dominant monetary system in the world?

It’s unclear whether “hyperbitcoinization” will become truly global, but it’s a phenomenon that Ray Youssef, CEO and co-founder of Paxful, a popular peer-to-peer bitcoin exchange in Africa, sees happening in the southern countries.

“The amazing thing about Nigeria, from a bitcoin perspective, is that it’s probably the only place in the world where the bitcoin narrative isn’t speculative. The vast majority of bitcoin use cases in Nigeria are peer-to-peer transactions,” Youssef said in an interview with CoinDesk.

According to a report released earlier this year by KuCoin, a global cryptocurrency exchange, over 33 million Nigerians (about 35% of the adult population) own bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies. More than half of these people use bitcoin and crypto for payments, the report suggests.

The payments use case is supported by another report released last month by blockchain data firm Chainalysis. This report states that Sub-Saharan Africa has the highest proportion of small crypto retail payments in the world (80% of crypto payments are below $1,000).

In Kenya, another key market for Paxful, locals use bitcoin in restaurants, spas and retail electronics stores. According to Chainalysis, for Paxful, crypto remittances are up 140% year over year in the country.

Read more: Crypto is Quietly Thriving in Sub-Saharan Africa: Chain Analytics Report

The role of nation states

Some have suggested that an erosion of trust in a country’s fiat currency is a prerequisite for hyperbitcoinization. If so, emerging nations plagued by economic mismanagement could end up leading the Bitcoin revolution. Of course, users in these countries would need exposure to the Bitcoin ecosystem first.

The story continues

In El Salvador, this exposure came, at least in part, when the government officially made bitcoin legal tender in September last year under President Nayib Bukele.

“Some people accused the president of vanity…and of pushing people into something that didn’t make sense,” Youssef said. “I think the rollout could have been a lot smoother. But for a first national effort, I think the government and the small team of young people … did an incredible job.

Despite making headlines and winning the hearts of diehard bitcoiners, Bukele’s strategy appears to be an outlier. The only other country to follow El Salvador’s lead was the Central African Republic, which adopted bitcoin as legal tender last April. But again, this may be the exception rather than the rule.

“We have spoken to many heads of government about this. In all situations, there is clearly interest. What there is not is a young president, like a Bukele, who can almost act unilaterally,” Youssef said.

Even when regimes are hostile to bitcoin and even with infrastructural obstacles such as limited internet connectivity, it seems that bitcoin still manages to thrive. For example, when Nigeria’s central bank restricted the use of cryptocurrency in the country last year (a country where just over half of the population has internet access), Paxful’s volumes went up. increased, according to Youssef.

“They forbade their banks to have accounts [linked to] cryptocurrency exchanges. What happened? Paxful volumes have increased by at least 20% and continue to grow as everyone has moved to peer-to-peer,” Youssef said.

Bitcoin Beach Day

Historically, Bitcoin adoption has been an organic phenomenon. Even in El Salvador, local efforts like Bitcoin Beach were in place long before Bukele’s initiative. Bitcoin Beach, which started in 2019, is a project that seeks to use bitcoin as a medium of exchange in small coastal villages in El Salvador like El Zonte and Punta Mango.

“There were no constraints in those early days at Bitcoin Beach. That was the magic of it all. And because the constraint came later, when the governmental level [got involved]it soured the pot and caused a lot of mistrust,” Youssef said.

The organic approach seems to be the most successful route to hyperbitcoinization so far. Bitcoin Beach is the poster child of “circular” bitcoin economies where individuals receive and make bitcoin payments. Similar communities have since sprung up all over the world:

Bitcoin Lake is a project in Panajachel, Guatemala, which helps locals mine bitcoin with equipment powered by used cooking oil. The project was started by Patrick Melder and not only promotes bitcoin adoption, but also helps clean up pollution in adjacent Lake Atitlán.

Bitcoin Island, which is officially Boracay Island, is a tourist hotspot in the Philippines. Wallet provider Lightning Network Pouch has launched a bitcoin education campaign on the island and is encouraging tourists to “live off bitcoin at more than 200 locations, including resorts, fine dining restaurants, water sports and more”.

Bitcoin Ekasi is a non-profit organization that established a bitcoin economy in Mossel Bay, South Africa. Paxful and Built with Bitcoin, the non-profit arm of Paxful, recently made a donation to build an education center for Bitcoin Ekasi.

“Built with Bitcoin is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that I started several years ago, and Built with Bitcoin is the one that builds all the schools, builds all the wells, and Paxful is the one of the main sponsors. of Built with Bitcoin,” Youssef said.

The Global South

Built with Bitcoin has also built two schools in Nigeria, demonstrating Youssef’s commitment not only to Africa, but to the wider South (Africa, Asia, Oceania, Latin America and the Caribbean).

“Southern countries are very interesting, especially places like Africa, because people don’t need anything,” Youssef noted. “They’re under such restrictive financial regimes that honestly it’s a wonder they’re not extinct. Their ingenuity and ingenuity will create incredible wealth.

Read more: Bitcoin Nonprofit ₿trust Launches Africa Open Source Cohort; Appoint the first developer

It looks like a winning formula for hyperbitcoinization is beginning to take shape – organic growth in the Global South, facilitated by nonprofits. Youssef believes that the population of the South, which numbers in the billions, is more receptive to bitcoin’s original use case and will therefore act as the torchbearer of hyperbitcoinization and ultimately reap the benefits.

“The people there are extremely talented and very well educated. They are very ambitious, and all they need is to have the same chance to be able to transact,” Youssef said. “Once that happens, they will create their own wealth.”

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) — Tired of raking those leaves from your yard, don’t, at least not all of them. Science says you don’t have to!

It’s that time of year when the leaves take on those vibrant colors before they fall to the ground. Thanks to the dry and cool weather, this is happening a little earlier than normal.

“We see thirty to forty percent of the tree canopy on the ground,” landscape designer Chris Trower said.

Many of us don’t like to rake our gardens, but the good news is science says you really don’t have to.

“The leaves, in small amounts, if chopped into a mulch, are actually beneficial to the soil,” Trower said.

You can chop these leaves by adding a special blade to your mower.

“You’re probably going to want to buy a serrated mulching blade,” Trower said.

As for the benefits, here are three:

“It creates moisture, it creates organic matter, an injection of nutrients, and then it creates a barrier to keep the grass warm through the freezing cycle, as we go into winter,” Trower said. .

Garden creatures, such as insects, salamanders and frogs, also benefit from these leaves. They use them as habitat.

As for the leaves you remove, you can add them to your garden or use them as mulch around trees.

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