How to make biochar

1
How to Make Biochar
Direct Burn
HOT GAS
COOL AIR
feedstock is burned
Biochar with a TLUD
Top-Lit Up-Draft
1st Version 2011
Funky Junky
COMBUSTION CONCENTRATION CHAMBER
Four Oaks Farm, Topeka KS
www.dyarrow.org/2ndBurn
2nd Version 2012
Smoke Ring Machine
Prairie Love Song Farm, Linnwood KS
http//www.dyarrow.org/TLUD
venturi vortex generator
3rd Version 2013
Venturi Vortex
Hoyland Farm, Lawrence
www.dyarrow.org/venturi
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SARE Sustainable Agriculture Research Education
Growing with Biochar
www.dyarrow.org/biochar
2013-14 FNC13-917 22,500
farmer Bob Lominska Lawrence, KS
3
SARE Sustainable Agriculture Research Education
Growing with Biochar
Control
TerraChar only
submitted Nov. 30, 2012 approved May 2013
8 Farms in Lawrence, Kansas
Vajra Farm Oskaloosa, Kansas
Terra-Char
small farms, vegetables herbs, local marketing
with Sea-90
all organic, not all certified
Trichoderma
Create RD test plots on each farm
Teaching practical lessons in carbon-smart
farming
BIOCHAR
Terra-Char
Terra-Char
Research Data documentation on KS soils crops
Demonstration show n tell plots for public
education
with Sea-90
charged with Sea-90 sea minerals
Each test plot is four 100 sq. foot beds
and SCD BioAg
Test Crop each farm selects one or two crops
Onion, Apple, Pepper, Tomato, Basil, Sweet
Potato, Broccoli
CONTROL
and SCD BioAg microbes
Each test bed has a specific treatment
Control no treatment beyond fertilizer
Biochar only raw, dry biochar, no additives
Biochar plus SEA-90 sea minerals inoculant
Biochar applied at 20 to 30 gallons/bed
SEA-90 full spectrum trace elements 1-3 cups/bed
SCD BioAg EM-type inoculant of foundation
bacteria
BGP Trichoderma common fungal inoculant
4
SARE Sustainable Agriculture Research Education
Growing with Biochar
Winter 2013 preparation
(cedar chip char)
Make biochar with TLUDs
Designate test crops, allocate test beds
Spring 2013 installation
Soil Tests before soil samples
Installation document effects on Kansas soils
crops
Bulk Biochar Terra-Char, Columbia MO 4 tons
oak biochar
Summer 2013 data gathering
Field Data gather test plot data documentation
Website online data display and publications
Workshops events to teach biochar
carbon-smart soil fertility
Fall 2013 outreach demonstration
Field Data gather data documentation
Field Days half-day show n tell outreach events
Public Events talks, literature information
Winter 2014 reports, trainings grower guide
Grower Guide farmer guide to carbon-smart
farming
Final Report summary of activities research
Farmer Training two 1-day carbon-smart trainings
Conferences talk exhibit at farm conferences
5
SARE Sustainable Agriculture Research Education
Growing with Biochar
Subterra Homestead
control
worm compost only
Terra-Char
raw, dry
Terra-Char
SEA-90 sea minerals
SCD Probiotic BioAg inoculant
Terra-Char
raw, dry
Terra-Char
SEA-90 sea minerals
control
SCD Probiotic BioAg inoculant
worm compost only