Become aCricket Farmer

Imagine being a superhero for our planet every single day! Cricket farming uses significantly less water, land, and feed compared to traditional livestock farming. Not only will you help reduce the carbon footprint, but you’ll also be involved in creating high-protein, nutritious food that could help feed millions. Plus, it’s a growing field (pun intended!) with lots of room for innovative minds.

• Contribute to sustainable and eco-friendly food sources.
• Help reduce the carbon footprint of farming.
• Innovate new uses for protein-rich crickets.
• Be part of a growing, future-focused industry.

Your day-to-day tasks as a Cricket Farmer would include breeding and feeding crickets, maintaining their habitat, harvesting them, and processing them into various products. You also need to monitor the health of your crickets and manage the farm’s environment to make sure it’s just perfect for your tiny livestock!

This involves setting up and maintaining the habitat for crickets, which requires a keen understanding of their living conditions and needs. You’ll monitor temperature, humidity, and light to create the perfect environment for cricket growth. Feeding is another critical task, with a focus on providing a diet that maximises their growth and nutritional value, often experimenting with organic and sustainable feed options.

The job goes beyond simple farming practices. Once the crickets reach maturity, you’ll harvest them and prepare them for the market, which can involve drying, roasting, and grinding the crickets into flour that can be used in a variety of food products. Marketing these products also plays a role, requiring you to educate consumers and businesses about the benefits of cricket-based foods. This includes demonstrating their high protein content, sustainability credentials, and versatility in the culinary world.

As a Cricket Farmer, you can find career opportunities in several exciting industries. Each offers a unique twist on how cricket farming can change the world.

Food Production

Creating sustainable, protein-rich food alternatives.

Animal Feed

Producing nutritious feed for pets and livestock.

Pharmaceuticals

Developing products for use in medicines.

Cosmetics

Harnessing cricket-derived substances for beauty products.

Agricultural Technology

Innovating new farming techniques and equipment.

Research and Development

Exploring further uses and improvements in cricket farming.

To thrive as a Cricket Farmer, you need a blend of technical and practical skills.

• Biology
• Sustainability
• Innovation
• Management
• Problem-solving
• Technology

To gear up for a career in cricket farming, focusing on certain subjects at school can give you a head start.

• Biology Understand the life cycles and biology of insects.
• Environmental Science Learn about ecosystems and sustainable practices.
• Technology Keep up with the latest in farming technology.
• Business Studies Manage a farm effectively and learn about the commercial side.
• Agriculture Get the basics of farming techniques and practices.
• Mathematics Helpful for managing farm data and finances.

Being a Cricket Farmer isn’t just about raising tiny creatures; it’s about engaging in some truly cool and futuristic activities that make this career fascinating and impactful. Here are some of the coolest things you can do as a Cricket Farmer:

• Design High-Tech Cricket Habitats Use smart farming technology to create optimal habitats for crickets, adjusting temperature, humidity, and lighting to keep them healthy and happy.
• Experiment with Sustainable Cricket Feed Develop new feed formulas using food waste or organic materials, turning everyday leftovers into nutritious meals for crickets while reducing waste.
• Create Delicious Cricket Recipes Work with chefs or nutritionists to design tasty cricket-based snacks like protein bars, chips, or even gourmet dishes, promoting sustainable eating in fun ways.
• Host Cricket Farming Workshops Lead hands-on workshops for schools or communities, teaching young people about sustainable farming practices and the benefits of insect protein.
• Innovate New Cricket Products Explore different ways to use crickets beyond food, such as creating organic fertilisers from cricket waste or developing skincare products with cricket chitin.
• Collaborate with Scientists on Research Partner with environmental scientists or agricultural researchers to study how cricket farming can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and provide solutions for global food security.
• Innovate with Cricket Diets As a Cricket Farmer, you get to experiment with different feed compositions to see which makes your crickets grow fastest and healthiest. This can involve using organic waste products, creating a circular economy where nothing goes to waste!
• Use Technology to Boost Farm Efficiency Embrace the latest tech trends by using automation and data analytics to monitor cricket growth, optimise farm conditions, and ensure peak productivity. Imagine drones and AI helping you keep an eye on thousands of crickets!
• Develop New Cricket Products From cricket flour that can be used in baking to high-protein cricket bars and snacks, as a Cricket Farmer, you can get creative in the kitchen and help develop new, tasty food products that could one day be on supermarket shelves.
• Lead Sustainability Practices By farming crickets, you’re at the cutting edge of sustainable food production. You’ll use far less water, land, and food than traditional livestock farming, drastically reducing your environmental footprint and teaching others how to do the same.
• Educate and Inspire Give talks at schools, participate in environmental fairs, and engage with the community to explain the benefits of cricket farming. As a Cricket Farmer, you become an ambassador for sustainable agriculture, inspiring the next generation to consider innovative farming methods.
• Experiment with Cricket-Based Waste Reduction Some cricket farmers use their farms as bio-recycling centres where crickets consume organic waste, turning it into high-quality protein and reducing landfill use. It’s a win-win for the environment and the economy!

These activities make cricket farming not just a job, but a gateway to contributing significantly to global food security and sustainability initiatives, all while having a blast with some of the most advanced agricultural techniques available today.

Finding famous Cricket Farmers, especially in a niche and emerging field like cricket farming, can be a bit of a challenge since it’s still a relatively new industry. However, here are some people who are making significant contributions to the field in Australia, known for their work in similar roles or in promoting the use of insects as a sustainable food source:

• Skye Blackburn-Wild Founder of Edible Bug Shop, Skye Blackburn-Wild is one of Australia’s leading advocates for edible insects. She has been farming crickets for over a decade and promotes them as a sustainable and nutritious alternative protein source through workshops, media appearances, and innovative products.
• Chloe Jewell Co-founder of Circle Harvest, Chloe Jewell is dedicated to changing how Australians view sustainable food. She runs a cricket farm that supplies protein-rich insects for snacks and pet food, focusing on environmental benefits and educating consumers about the future of food.
• Sally Learey Co-owner of Rebel Food Tasmania, Sally Learey is passionate about integrating edible insects into mainstream Australian diets. Her cricket farm focuses on creating high-quality, locally-produced cricket protein while advocating for the environmental advantages of insect farming.
• Kristy Bayliss Co-founder of Grubs Up Australia, Kristy Bayliss farms crickets and other edible insects to promote sustainable and innovative food sources. Her work highlights the potential of cricket farming to provide a nutritious, low-impact protein option for the Australian market.
• Paula Peeters Based in Australia, Paula is a notable figure in the field of entomophagy (the practice of eating insects). Although not a farmer herself, her work in promoting the environmental and nutritional benefits of insect consumption directly impacts the perception and viability of cricket farming as a career.
• Sky Blackburn A real pioneer in the edible insect industry in Australia, Sky owns and operates an edible bug shop called Edible Bug Shop in Sydney, which farms and processes crickets and other insects. Her work helps pave the way for cricket farming by demonstrating successful business models and innovative uses for cricket products.
• Olympia Yarger Founder and CEO of Goterra, a company that manages food waste using insects, Olympia’s work, although primarily with Black Soldier Flies, is closely related to the principles of cricket farming. Her innovative approach to waste management and insect farming showcases the potential of insects in sustainable practices, contributing to the broader field in which cricket farming resides.

To be a successful Cricket Farmer, you should ideally be:

• Innovative
• Patient
• Creative
• Curious
• Resilient
• Eco-conscious

Cricket farming is not just a job; it’s an important role in a future where food is sustainable and plentiful. Are you ready to jump into the world of cricket farming and make a difference? Let’s make the planet proud together!

Your journey begins at the exciting intersection of sustainability and innovation! Imagine diving into a degree that feels like an adventure in green technology and future food solutions — think Agricultural Science, Environmental Studies, or Food Innovation. These aren’t just classes; they’re the stepping stones to mastering the art of sustainable farming and revolutionising our food systems with the latest eco-friendly techniques. With each course, you’ll get closer to becoming a pioneer in creating a greener, healthier planet, one cricket at a time.

Bachelor of Science (Agricultural Science): Start with a degree in Agricultural Science to build a solid foundation in understanding farming techniques, insect biology, and sustainable agriculture. Universities like Murdoch University in Western Australia offer a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Science program that covers essential topics such as soil science, plant pathology, and pest management, providing the knowledge needed to run a successful cricket farm.

Bachelor of Environmental Science: Consider a degree in Environmental Science if you’re passionate about sustainability and the impact of agriculture on the environment. Curtin University in WA offers a Bachelor of Environmental Science program that focuses on ecology, sustainable resource management, and environmental systems. This degree helps you understand how cricket farming can be a sustainable alternative to traditional farming practices.

Master’s in Sustainable Agriculture or Entomology: Specialise further with a master’s degree in Sustainable Agriculture or Entomology to gain advanced knowledge in insect farming, biosecurity, and sustainable food systems. Programs at institutions like The University of Western Australia (UWA) offer opportunities to dive deep into areas like integrated pest management, insect physiology, and agricultural sustainability.

Graduate Certificate in Food Innovation or Agribusiness: For a shorter, more focused approach, a Graduate Certificate in Food Innovation or Agribusiness, like those offered by Edith Cowan University (ECU) in WA, provides practical knowledge in food production, product development, and business management, all essential for creating a thriving cricket farm.

SPECIFIC DEGREES:

• Bachelor of Agricultural Science
• Bachelor of Environmental Science
• Bachelor of Science in Biology
• Bachelor of Business Administration (with a focus on Agribusiness)

Imagine mixing up your favourite subjects like a smoothie. That’s what interdisciplinary studies are like! You can combine different areas of learning to tailor your education to exactly what you want. For example, you could study both Agricultural Science and Business Administration. This combination would not only teach you how to raise crickets but also how to sell them and run a farm like a boss!

Or perhaps you love technology? You can study Environmental Science and then do some extra courses in technology to learn how to use the latest gadgets that make cricket farming more efficient. By blending different subjects, you open up a world of innovation and creativity in your career.

And don’t forget about adding a pinch of practical experience through internships or volunteer work with local farms or sustainability projects. This gives you a real-world taste of what being a Cricket Farmer is all about, making your learning journey even more exciting and useful.

During your studies, you’ll dive into the fascinating world of insects, learning everything from their biology to how to farm them sustainably. You’ll explore how to create the perfect environment for crickets to thrive, how to feed them, and how to process them into food products. Plus, you’ll gain insights into the environmental impact of traditional farming methods and how cricket farming can help solve some of those problems.

Getting your hands dirty (literally) is a great way to learn! Work experience, like internships at cricket farms or research projects at your school or community, will give you a head-start in understanding the day-to-day tasks of a Cricket Farmer. It’s your chance to apply what you’ve learned in class in the real world.

Internships with Sustainable Farms or Insect Producers: Gain practical experience by interning at sustainable farms, insect farms, or alternative protein startups like Edible Bug Shop or Grubs Up Australia. These internships offer exposure to day-to-day farming operations, breeding techniques, and the business side of cricket farming.

Volunteer with Environmental and Agricultural Organisations: Volunteer with local environmental or agricultural organisations such as WACOSS (Western Australian Council of Social Service) or The Western Australian Farmers Federation (WAFarmers) to learn about sustainable farming practices, community engagement, and advocacy for alternative protein sources.

Not keen on spending years at university? No worries! There are other fantastic ways to jump into cricket farming:

• Short Courses in Insect Farming or Sustainable Agriculture: Enrol in courses that focus specifically on insect farming or sustainable agriculture. Organisations like TAFE WA offer short courses and certifications in areas such as insect rearing, alternative protein production, and organic farming practices, helping you gain hands-on skills needed for cricket farming.
• Workshops and Training Programs: Attend workshops or training programs hosted by local agricultural associations or environmental organisations, such as AgriFutures Australia or the West Australian Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD), to learn about sustainable insect farming techniques, feed development, and biosecurity measures.
• Join Agricultural and Sustainability Networks: Get involved with networks like the Australian Edible Insect Industry Association (AEIIA) or local sustainable farming communities to connect with other farmers, share knowledge, and stay updated on the latest trends and regulations in insect farming.
• Attend Conferences and Expos: Participate in events like the WA Future of Food Conference or the Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security Summit to learn from experts, explore new ideas in sustainable food production, and network with professionals in the field.
• Microlearning Courses: These are short, focused courses that teach you specific skills or knowledge areas in cricket farming. They’re perfect for getting a quick start in the field.
• On-the-Job Training: Some farms offer training programs where you learn by doing. This means you get paid to learn and grow into a Cricket Farmer, all while working.

The following localities are known for their sustainable farming initiatives.

Western Australia

In Western Australia, the focus is on innovative agriculture, making it a great place for Cricket Farmers who want to push boundaries. You could work in research facilities, start your own cricket farm, or collaborate with tech companies developing new farming technologies.

Australia

Across Australia, the demand for sustainable and alternative protein sources is growing. This opens up opportunities in both rural and urban settings, from large-scale commercial farms to small, community-based projects aimed at local markets.

Rest of the World

Globally, the need for sustainable food solutions is skyrocketing. As a Cricket Farmer, you could find opportunities in countries like the USA, Canada, and parts of Europe and Asia, where cricket farming is just beginning to take off. You might even work with international organisations on food security projects or help establish cricket farming practices in developing countries.

As you can see, becoming a Cricket Farmer isn’t just about farming crickets; it’s about building a career that contributes to a healthier planet. Whether you choose university, on-the-job training, or a mix of both, you’re stepping into a field that’s ready to grow—and help you grow too!