Our CEO Connects with LSU Entrepreneurship Students Through Virtual Learning
Fluker’s is proud of our long-standing relationship with Louisiana State University.
Published by Soldier Fly Technologies
Innovation Doesn't Stop During Challenging Times
Entrepreneurship is built on solving problems, adapting to change, and finding opportunities where others see obstacles. Those principles became especially important during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic.
When Louisiana State University (LSU) transitioned to remote learning in 2020, many guest lectures and industry presentations were canceled. Rather than postponing the opportunity to connect with students, SoldierFly Technologies CEO David Fluker embraced a new approach—delivering the session virtually.
The experience became more than a guest lecture. It demonstrated the same adaptability and innovative thinking that continues to shape the company's approach to commercial Black Soldier Fly (BSF) farming today.
A Longstanding Relationship with Louisiana State University
SoldierFly Technologies and Fluker Farms have maintained a close relationship with Louisiana State University (LSU) for many years.
Located just across the river from Baton Rouge, our commercial insect farming operations are only minutes from campus. This proximity has created opportunities to collaborate with LSU faculty, researchers, and students while supporting education and innovation in sustainable agriculture.
Our team has also worked alongside LSU's Entomology and Sustainability programs on Black Soldier Fly research, helping advance practical applications for organic waste conversion, insect protein production, and circular agriculture.
Learn how our commercial BSF systems support sustainable waste conversion.
Speaking with the Next Generation of Entrepreneurs
When LSU Associate Professor of Entrepreneurship Daniel Holt invited David Fluker to speak with his entrepreneurship class, the opportunity aligned perfectly with SoldierFly Technologies' commitment to sharing industry knowledge.
As a second-generation insect farmer and lifelong entrepreneur, David has built businesses around innovation, practical engineering, and identifying opportunities within emerging industries.
His presentation focused on:
Entrepreneurship through innovation
Building sustainable businesses
Commercializing new technologies
Creating value through circular economy solutions
Lessons learned from decades in insect farming
Adapting to Remote Learning
Shortly before the scheduled presentation, LSU announced that classes would move online due to the emerging COVID-19 pandemic.
While the in-person lecture was initially canceled, David proposed a simple alternative:
"Let's do it online."
Using newly implemented webinar technology, the guest lecture became one of the early Zoom presentations experienced by Professor Holt's entrepreneurship students.
Rather than seeing disruption as a setback, the experience became a real-world lesson in adapting quickly to changing circumstances—a quality every entrepreneur must develop.
As David reflected:
"The novelty of it was a great way to kick off a talk about the creativity, innovation, and pivoting necessary to be successful as an entrepreneur."
Entrepreneurship and Black Soldier Fly Farming
Launching a commercial Black Soldier Fly operation requires many of the same entrepreneurial skills discussed during the LSU presentation.
Successful projects depend on:
Identifying market demand
Solving real waste management challenges
Building scalable production systems
Investing strategically in automation
Continuously improving operational efficiency
These principles have shaped the development of SoldierFly Technologies' modular commercial farming systems.
Discover how BOOTS Automation helps producers scale commercial BSF farms efficiently.
From Research to Commercial Implementation
Education has always been an important part of SoldierFly Technologies' mission.
Beyond commercial licensing, the company works to help organizations understand every stage of Black Soldier Fly production—from breeding and larvae rearing to digital farm management and automation.
This commitment extends through:
Commercial licensing programs
Technical consulting
Professional training
Research collaboration
Industry presentations
Educational resources
Explore our BSF Academy and professional training programs.
Building the Future Through Knowledge Sharing
Innovation grows when industry and education work together.
Collaborations between universities and commercial operators help prepare future entrepreneurs while accelerating the development of sustainable agricultural technologies.
Whether presenting in a classroom or through a virtual meeting, SoldierFly Technologies remains committed to sharing practical knowledge that helps expand the global Black Soldier Fly industry.
Conclusion
The LSU entrepreneurship presentation was more than a guest lecture—it reflected the entrepreneurial mindset that continues to drive SoldierFly Technologies today.
By embracing innovation, adapting to unexpected challenges, and sharing practical experience, the company continues to support the next generation of entrepreneurs while advancing sustainable Black Soldier Fly farming worldwide.
About the Author
David Fluker is the CEO of SoldierFly Technologies and a second-generation insect farmer with roots in Fluker Farms (est. 1956). With more than a decade of hands-on experience in Black Soldier Fly bioconversion, David leads the development and licensing of scalable BSF farming systems that transform organic waste into sustainable insect protein and organic fertilizer. His work focuses on practical engineering solutions, modular automation, and commercial production systems that help organizations deploy profitable and sustainable Black Soldier Fly operations worldwide.
Learn more about the SoldierFly Technologies team.
Related Articles
Continue exploring the people, technology, and innovation behind commercial Black Soldier Fly farming.
A Letter to the World from a 2nd Generation Insect Farmer (Read David Fluker's vision for building a global circular economy through commercial BSF farming.)
My Journey to Black Soldier Fly Farming (Discover how a visit to an experimental BSF composting project inspired the creation of SoldierFly Technologies.)
BSF Technology: Revolutionizing Organic Waste Conversion (Learn how technology and computer vision are advancing commercial insect farming.)
BSF Farming: From Manual to Full Automation with BOOTS (Explore the modular automation strategy that helps commercial producers scale efficiently.)
The Wonders of Black Soldier Flies: An Introductory Guide (Understand the biology, life cycle, and commercial applications of Black Soldier Flies.)
BSF Academy Launches Spanish Training (See how SoldierFly Technologies is expanding professional BSF education to a global audience.)
