Why?
All I'm trying to do is to save the world; same thing as you, right? Following Dr. Ingham's teaching, if we'd only made the biology accessible to farmers at a large scale, and right price, then they wouldn't have a need to use chemicals. Rivers wouldn't be polluted with phosphate, food would regain its lost nutrition, organic wouldn't be a fad anymore, but become the norm.
Hot composting is one of the main means of getting to the stage of having that correct biology, and a long thermometer is a must.
You may not have the means of a large corporation or investor to buy this expensive piece of kit, but you still want to manage a decent size pile to have lots of material to work with. You've checked the market and you have to resort to buying a short thermometer, because that's all you can afford. Well, not anymore.
What We Need & What You Get
Doing this in the campaign format allows me to buy parts in bulk, reducing the costs. I pass the reduced cost to you. The first 86 Early Bird Thermometers you pledge to purchase provide enough funds to buy a minimum amount of materials to halve their costs. Any further pledges will allow me to raise the necessary funds for my work. The campaign is set for all or nothing to buy these materials and pay the platform costs. Once this is reached, there will be 114 thermometers available even after the campaign finishes (unless they all sell out, in which case we would look to purchase a further batch - but we will have the funds by then).
What you get in return is a product which conforms to the specifications of Dr. Elaine Ingham that will aid you in managing large piles. If you are a beginner consultant or even a farmer that is working on their biology rich compost, this thermometer will help you with your work. Currently thermometers of this length sell for $159 before tax and shipping. By the time they get to UK or EU, they can be over £250.
The Impact
You need to make great biology accessible to farmers at every scale in every corner of the world. To manage large piles, you need a long, affordable thermometer. What could happen next is anyone's guess, but there are ideas for other products for our emerging trade. Once this becomes a success, we have plans for further development of tools and kits. Beyond that, I will be able to continue fungi hunting, and let my own piles mature.
Risks & Challenges
The challenges that I have identified have to do with scaling up production when this campaign becomes a success. Right now I am but one man with a 3D printer and a design, but when a need arises to make two, five hundred, or maybe a thousand thermometers, then one 3D printer may be not enough. Here's how I'm preparing:
- I've already bought a second printer chosen based on my experience up to date. The number of machines can increase with the numbers of orders in this campaign. A single printer can make 30 to 60 cases per month. Two would double that, three triples it, and so on.
- My professional experience is in procurement, and so I have secured quotes for key elements such as the steel tubes locally here in the UK from suppliers that I know and trust. These relationships built over years enable me to ensure the parts will not run out, and we get a great value for our money.
- Covid-19. The global situation is unprecedented, and the economy is working at minimum levels. Supply of parts may be delayed, but as soon as the storm clears, the production will run full ahead.
- Global shipping challenges are resolved by a partner here on Indiegogo. This is the main reason why I chose this platform over other options.
Other Ways You Can Help
Please share! If you don't have a need for a thermometer, you may want to just support me in my work: hit the donation button.
Thank you very much!
Best wishes
Daniel
