Willow Feeder movie

T Melville wrote:Some folks have been asking what a willow feeder is. Paul talks about it in a thread here, and in his podcast here, here and here.

Thank you so much! Super helpful!

I too would appreciate s kickstarter for a comprehensive willow feeder how-to. Particularly for one in the house.

Hopefully including lots of step-by-step plan images (for dummies who struggle with being too literal when it comes to words). A series of pictures to enhance a text description is invaluable.

Another item on my wishlist would be to nclude a big list of different additives that can be combined with the poop. So everyone could hopefully find at least one thing on the list that they have access to in their part of the world.

And how to endure that there is no smell in the room of the house with the willow feeder in it. Obviously, one won’t have any areas in the siding for a breeze to blow through -lol.

Oops (blush).

The overly literal “dummy” I was referring to…is ME.

Struggling to complete my two cents’ worth on smallish cell phone screen, with cell phone’s alarm going off reminding me to take a time sensitive pill right then was what caused the lapse in an explanation.

I would never want to refer to my fellow Permies as overly literal dummies (cringe). But as for me, I definitely struggle with that, and sometimes utterly misinterpret something that was said or described.

Small example of potential for embarrassment: over 50 years ago now, in a college science class lecture being conducted in an auditorium.

The professor started out by introducing himself, and in his introduction (back in the ‘60’s), he mentioned that he had a hog.

Intensely interested, I raised my hand, wanting to ask him what kind of a hog.

Fortunately, others also had questions, and he dd not call on me. I slumped down in my seat, embarrassed and feeling like a total dummy, and so grateful that I had not been called upon and become the laughing stock of the entire auditorium when it transpired that the professor’s “hog” was his way if trying to appear hip and cool to his students by referring to his Harley-Davidson that way.

Actually, I was aware of the term, my recently become former spouse and I having ridden often with one of the chapters of the Hell’s Angels. Former spouse’s family was on a first name basis with Sonny Barger (no one ever referred to him as Ralph that I ever heard).

And me, a straight, clean young woman (too young) who had nothing in common with these folks except the ability to remain firmly on the back of a motorcycle-lol.

Like Bilbo Baggins, it seems that I too am someone to which things happen. However a rich past has not improved the disability of taking communications too literally and heading off n entirely the wrong direction far too often-sigh. Probably no hope for improvement in the future either as I find myself at 75 years young and counting.

Hence, my hope for such clearly drawn, straight forward step-by-step instructions on willow feeders that even I cannot misunderstand.

(p.s. All I can do is try to treat others and oneself gently, and reverse direction with as much grace as possible whenever a course correction is needed-lol.)

We'd love to see it, and we would definitely donate to the kickstarter. (Gotta put my scaldy job money to good use somewhere).

Also, I gave the willow feeder a shout out with my (warning, very long) musings about modernity and human relationships. https://www.frontporchrepublic.com/2023/11/modernity-is-a-dirty-diaper/

Gotta keep spreading the good news about ways of safely closing the carbon cycle!

Thank you for this post, Andrés!

I love and appreciate the Wheaton Eco-Scale.
This "scale" can (and should be) be utilized in so many aspects in life.

At any rate, I humbly give two thumbs up for this project.

I would totally back this movie! My question is that it seems that the willow feeder method is based on sort of storing the poop for a while and the whole thing drying/staying pretty dry while being stored (apologies if I don't fully understand, and all the more reason for the movie, but that's my understanding anyway). So I would really like to know how well this would work in a humid summer climate--the kind of climate where stored poop might stink more and things don't dry out.

Elizabeth Echeverria wrote:I would totally back this movie! My question is that it seems that the willow feeder method is based on sort of storing the poop for a while and the whole thing drying/staying pretty dry while being stored (apologies if I don't fully understand, and all the more reason for the movie, but that's my understanding anyway). So I would really like to know how well this would work in a humid summer climate--the kind of climate where stored poop might stink more.

*I'm only involved in the sense of having listened to the podcasts, so my understanding isn't backed by experience.* That said, I think the goal isn't dry as in desiccated, but dry as in not soggy and anaerobic. It seems there is room for some analysis here (Listen to the podcasts for more on that.) there could be aerobic and anaerobic processes going on in different sectors of the bin or at different times, but they want to allow aerobic decomposition to happen if it wants. Keeping free liquid excluded keeps the spaces within the sawdust available for air. (Why urine is excluded.) This in combination with keeping dry carbonaceous material (the sawdust) between the "candies" and the air where people are breathing (and  smelling) lets the material break down with no smell or smelling like good soil, while the alternative would be closer to the smell when you unearth and disturb a half rotted potato. I expect this would work with most humidity levels.

I have recently finished reading "The Humanure Handbook" and I'm even more excited for the potential of a Willow Feeder movie. The process done at Wheaton Labs would be amazing additional knowledge to complement what I already learned.

Humanure might not be 'sexy', but it sure is interesting and needs better understanding in my book.

I would back this as a Kickstarter.

Things I’m most interested in:
• Exactly how the system at Wheaton Labs works and what makes it different from other dry toilet systems
• How to make it not stink
• Getting willow feeders to be so easy to build and manage so that more people will use them
• Plans that anyone can make - maybe an option using the small kind of wheely bin would be good too, so that it can fit into smaller houses
• Maybe plans for an outdoor toilet building
• What to do with the poo if you don’t have enough wheely bins to leave them sitting around for 2 years
• Various options for the carbon stuff to throw in it - what is easiest to grow and process without a chipper and works the best?
• Maybe something about plants to grow as toilet paper alternatives
• It would be lovely to see some sort off basic ‘how to use a willow feeder’ PDF instructions along with the movie, for easy reference

Yes please!  I'd be intersted to know what kind of sawdust would be best - hardwoods, softwoods, dry, moist, doesn't matter at all, whatever the case may be.  I'd also be curious if we could use this for composting other manures, like dog/cat poo.  I'd love to retire our septic tank!

👍🏼 Yes!!!

I support it with great enthusiasm

If you are looking to reach a larger audience then yes, this is too level 5. The fraction of people who would get past “and you store the poop in barrels for several years” is pretty small. Obviously just my personal opinion :)

Benjamin Dinkel wrote:Or are the willow feeders using barrels?

I believe the willow feeders at Wheaton Labs are using barrels. It reduces handling and turning piles almost to nothing, is very convenient, simple, and clean. Finding a source for used barrels is the biggest challenge.

I would really like to build one of these for myself.  I will definitely support a kickstarter to help with this project.   Maybe there are ways to make it easier for people to build their own.  

Timothy Norton wrote:How fitting!

I just picked up a copy of The Humanure Handbook and have started reading it.

I'd contribute.

Me, too with both!

Read Humanure Handbook years ago. Still holds a prominent place on my bookshelf. Willow Feeder is different but I'm still interested in this s*&t.
Hope you make it to 200!

I say yes!!

Go forth! I would love to see this process made into a movie.

Having used this particular feeder successfully, comfortably, stink free, simple to operate from a user stand point, i say go ahead please with the movie, I am willing to commit some $$ to the video, but not quite ready to commit to building one at my farm yet...  John

👍

Let’s see all about it!

I'm using the smallest setup for poop I can think of: old 5 gallon bucket with a camping seat, surrounded by greenery. Arborist chips and TP are my carbon.  When one bucket gets full, remove the lid from the empty bucket and add the seat. The full bucket gets the solid lid to be put away for a while. Haven't had to change the bucket yet.

It's fine for just me in the garden, but I'd like a more 'socially acceptable' solution to handle 10-ish guests for 2-3 days.

Yes! Stoked!
Thanks for driving this, Andrés!

The idea that the bins sit for a year to make the pathogens safe needs to be explored. How did you conclude that was enough time? How to convince a level 2 person. If I don't have saw dust, what are some other options? How about adding living soil?

I hope this gets hold of the eco crowd's imagination.

Andres,

I will honor my word. You came through!

My concerns:

    - a level 5 movie will sell about 1% as much as a level 2 movie.  I sure hope that this is not the case.

    - if you are gonna sell fewer copies, the price per copy has to be higher.  I agreed that you earned the right to be a lot more in charge on this.  I am worried that you will have fewer backers and at a lower price will mean that you get paid about nothing.  So if you are willing to take risks, then I will also take risks.

Next step is to get some vague idea of rewards.  Do you want a $1 level?  Do you want to do earlybird stuff?  

Also, I would like to get my head wrapped around the general flow of the movie, what footage you have, and what footage we need.