willow feeder (wheelie bin pooper) at wheaton labs basecamp - the Willow Bank

For my community, we'd like something transitional, cheaper and better than porta-potties, but it doesn't have to be perfect in terms of mummifying the poop and keeping the most carbon and nitrogen possible.  We could get to that later, but for now just really need to reduce our money expenses and feeling of being tied to the unsustainable systems.

A more-sawdust-added practice with the same willow feeder design would work for us for now, yes?  and the air pipe as in Geoff Lawton's design? and be pretty much human-error-proof?

The other problem in my view to handle is distance from the bedroom--I would have used the composting pooper if it had been anywhere near where I was in the morning at Twin Oaks, but I had to take a 3-minute bike ride, the bike might be gone, so maybe a 10-minute walk, then maybe someone would be in there...by that time I might not still be able to hold it or have the time to make my investment without being late to another commitment...I like the idea of some more versatile supplemental system, but that would be a setup for human error maybe.

It requires group awareness and commitment to practices as well as physical facilities.

Again, would this same system work fine for transitional use if we just added larger quantities of sawdust, air pipes? is that mostly human-error-proof?  Thanks!

Willow Bank in December

The Willow Bank June 2019

One design adjustment that I discussed with Paul a month ago was to beef up the support for the roof.  With the snow they got last year I'm surprised it held up.  It appears that there are some dents/wrinkles in the roofing so maybe it was very close to failing.  My suggestion would be to add one more set of posts and a doubled up 2x4 beam near the center of the building (posts in red, beam in green).

If the roof is ever being replaced, I'd turn the double 2x4 beams on their side (they're much stronger in that orientation) and I'd turn the purlins on edge as well.  I'd also put a fascia or something to cover the exposed ends of the beams so the rain doesn't rot the ends of those boards.

Shewee's have a spot in the willow feeder.

Mike Haasl wrote:One design adjustment that I discussed with Paul a month ago was to beef up the support for the roof.  With the snow they got last year I'm surprised it held up.  It appears that there are some dents/wrinkles in the roofing so maybe it was very close to failing.  My suggestion would be to add one more set of posts and a doubled up 2x4 beam near the center of the building (posts in red, beam in green).

If the roof is ever being replaced, I'd turn the double 2x4 beams on their side (they're much stronger in that orientation) and I'd turn the purlins on edge as well.  I'd also put a fascia or something to cover the exposed ends of the beams so the rain doesn't rot the ends of those boards.

I don't recall from last fall- was the roof ever upgraded?

What are the overall dimensions of the building frame and the metal roof?

Yup, it was beefed up a year or two ago

Question on the urine diverter. I was there in 2015 and if I recall correctly, the urine diverter was a funnel with a window screen over it. What was the purpose of the screen? Splash back prevention? Insect infestation prevention? Has the urine diverting system been upgraded since then? If so what problems were solved?

Asking because I am adding a urine diverter to my neighbor’s existing compost toilet system and want to get it right the first time. Thanks I’m advance for any insight.

Here's an interesting article about a large scale scientific effort in sweden to harvest nitrogen from urine:

https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-022-00338-6?utm_source=Nature+Briefing&utm_campaign=1d31760628-briefing-dy-20220804&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_c9dfd39373-1d31760628-44396361

Todd McDonald wrote:Question on the urine diverter. I was there in 2015 and if I recall correctly, the urine diverter was a funnel with a window screen over it. What was the purpose of the screen? Splash back prevention? Insect infestation prevention?

Todd, I can't speak for the intended use specific to the Willow Feeder, but the Omick Barrel toilet uses a screen over the urine diverter to prevent clogging as noted here.  In the experience of my family of 8 using that implementation, it is helpful in catching stray sawdust and poop.

Having said that, we had difficulty with our urine diverter to the point we quit using it.  The tube, not just the filter, kept clogging, even after switching to a larger diameter tube.

I've got a question I probably dumped into too many other questions previously and it didn't get answered;

how is the chop and drop from the willow feeder putting out?

New follow up, is this a 10 year plan? 20 year?

I notice that the term "poop beast" seems to measure as far as a person can see roots that grow right through and into the poop, + classification as "heavy feeder."  I've observed fawn lilly, trailing blackberry, and snowberry do the former, and not sure how "heavy" they "feed."  So willow is a "heavy feeder", but how heavy?

First define 1 "unit" as 1 years worth of dookie from a 175 lb individual, aged as per willow feeder protocol (going for average...)

say you have 5 largish willow trees,  each with canopy covering about 400 ft^2, so together they span about 2000 ft^2'

If you put 20 units of dookie in an even layer under this canopy, how long does it take for 50% of the dookie nutrient/plant food to be deposited into willow limbs that you are going to prune and mulch?

so many variables here, I really don't know how many years to bet on.  Maybe it'd be faster for 5 dookie units, and/or a thicket of smaller willow trees covering half the area. Or not. lol

I do know that willows do not feed or "poop beast" as heavily as squash and corn.  Observation has put me in the camp; if it's not squash or corn, you're doing it wrong!

Just kiddin, I only suspect.  Carry on

Julia Winter wrote:I love the marbles letting sun in!

So, is the pink tanked side the girl side?

You can see how simple it is to put the marbles in the willow feeder.  

If you're curious about what happens to the poop after it's been deposited, see the new video by Wesley (a current boot) just released!

Willow Candy Warehouse

You can get stuck in to tasks like this that help you to develop real-world skills for being self-sufficient and off-grid by joining the permaculture bootcamp!

I like this thread! It's filled with ideas, problems and solutions. Hubby and I are looking at options for our homestead. Thanks to all who contributed!

you might like this

https://permies.com/t/161838/willow-feeder

justin rhodes visiting two of our willow feeders including willow bank.

stephen wrote:

Here are a few photos of the Moon Box in the Willow Bank, here at Base
Camp. Also includes some of the equipment used to either sanitize or
safely dispose of items.

More pictures:

Willow feeders separate poo and pee, so its better to just pee outside, here is a breakdown, specially for the ladies!

How the women at wheaton labs deal with shark week while using willow feeders:

A quick tour of the 4 willow feeders at Wheaton Labs

All willow feeders at Wheaton Labs are equipped with a moon box for the ladies! Alexandra explains more here: