Learn how to convert garden waste into a soil enhancer with the 2,000-year-old practice of making biochar at this free workshop with the Great Plains Biochar Institute on Thursday, March 29.
Biochar is produced by thermal decomposition of organic material such as wood, manure or leaves. According to the International Biochar Initiative, biochar is a soil enhancer that holds carbon and makes soil more fertile, reduces agricultural waste, reduces global warming and produces clean, renewable energy.
The workshop will cover the science of biochar, how to make it, and how to use it and include a hands-on demonstration that is feasible for landowners, small businesses and gardeners. Kelpie Wilson of Wilson Biochar Associates will lead the workshop. She has more than a decade of experience with biochar and has consulted with private industry, government agencies and universities. In addition to her work with the Great Plains Biochar Initiative, she is currently directing a Conservation Innovation Grant, working with farmers to make biochar from excess biomass for manure management.
The Biochar: Know it, Make it, Use it workshop will be held from 8 a.m. – Noon on Thursday, March 29 at the Douglas County Fairgrounds, Dreher Family 4-H Building 2110 Harper St., Lawrence, KS. The workshop includes lunch. The registration deadline is March 27 and is limited to the first 100 registrants. To register, call Douglas County Extension at 785-843-7058, or register online at the Great Plains Biochar Series.
The Great Plains Biochar Initiative is a partnership between the Nebraska Forest Service, Kansas Forest Service and private industry.
Photo: Great Plans Biochar Initiative
Kelpie–I’d love to take your workshop because I need to learn how to produce “biochar” but coming from Idaho is a bit far to go… Have a great workshop!
Thanks to the amazing blog it really helped me to understand that Gardening with Biochar is an uncommon sort of charcoal that appears to have numerous advantages as a soil amendment. It holds water, acts as manure, and develops bigger plants.