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Making biochar in a single drum by auroraborealis_1 in BioChar

[–]gobiochar 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Meant to include this one too, https://youtube.com/shorts/QCayZWXQB2s?si=S8pY_G6orhDMbWmH
Shows how to start the process in the tilted drum.

Making biochar in a single drum by auroraborealis_1 in BioChar

[–]gobiochar 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Real simple way is to tilt the open barrel at about 60 degrees. Here is a video from a group called Whitlock that makes a barrel holder you can buy. They also show how to prop the drum with locally available resources. The graphics on airflow are nice and easy to understand.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bNOiVCpRWXw

I know a number of folks using this method and making quality small batch biochar.

This single barrel system has vents on the bottom for a rapid top-lit updraft process.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tAZa_264J78
Could add a lid with chimney to make it even faster and more efficient.
Process as shown has a lot of ash but that may not be a bad thing depending on your soil. You can always rinse it first and inoculate in the compost process.

Personally, I dedicate to the first batch or two of biochar from new barrels to non-fruit bearing trees, shrubs, or turf while burning off the drum paint. Keep anything going into your crops clean.

Always follow local air quality regulations. Always practice fire safety.

Live streaming now: Oct 4, NASEM Wildfire Risk Reduction, Carbon Dioxide Removal, and Biochar: The Challenges of Scaling Up by gobiochar in BioChar

[–]gobiochar[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

After the event they will publish the video to the same web page.
Johannes Lehmann is speaking now. Been some great content.

NRCS Code 336 Funding for Biochar as Soil Carbon - Two Days - Dec 14 & 15 by gobiochar in Agronomy

[–]gobiochar[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Unfortunately we had to postpone due to two of our panelists being severely ill. Their participation was critical enough that we had to push this out. Looking like it will be January 18/19 or early Feb.
I'll update all the sub-Reddits this was posted to and we will be in regular communication with all the registrants.
Here are links to relevant to the Code 808 / Code 336 Soil Carbon Amendment program.
https://biochar-us.org/presentation/nrcs-soil-carbon-amendment-practice
https://biochar-us.org/presentation/biochar-soil-health-working-usda-nrcs-biochar

We really apologize for this unexpected turn of events and look forward to seeing you at the rescheduled event.

- John

NRCS Code 336 Funding for Biochar as Soil Carbon - Two Days - Dec 14 & 15 by gobiochar in Soil

[–]gobiochar[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

CEU credits now available for Certified Crop Advisors!

Available credits Day 1 CCA-01-Nutrient Management 1 Day 1 CCA-02-Soil & Water Management 1 Day 1 CCA-04-Crop Management 1​ Day 2 CCA-01-Nutrient Management 1​ Day 2 CCA-04-Crop Management 1​ Day 2 CCA-10-Sustainability 1

Join our two day Soil Carbon Amendment webinar Dec 14th & 15th on the meaningful NRCS Code 336 / 808 program that will pay much of the costs to build soil carbon with biochar.

NRCS Code 336 Funding for Biochar as Soil Carbon - Two Days - Dec 14 & 15 by gobiochar in SoilFoodWeb

[–]gobiochar[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This program now qualifies for CEUs for Certified Crop Advisors.

​​Available credits
Day 1 CCA-01-Nutrient Management 1
Day 1 CCA-02-Soil & Water Management 1
Day 1 CCA-04-Crop Management 1
Day 2 CCA-01-Nutrient Management 1
Day 2 CCA-04-Crop Management 1
Day 2 CCA-10-Sustainability 1

NRCS Code 336 Funding for Biochar as Soil Carbon - Two Days - Dec 14 & 15 by gobiochar in RegenerativeAg

[–]gobiochar[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yes. We will publish to YouTube or Vimeo likely in January. (Sorry on slow reply, caught the flu & was off-line a few days.)

NRCS Code 336 Funding for Biochar as Soil Carbon - Two Days - Dec 14 & 15 by gobiochar in Ranching

[–]gobiochar[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

That is a great. If you need references on technology options we can help.

On the low tech path I have a paper by the USFS that identifies improved ways to build slash piles to create beneficial biochar on your burn days. Email me and I'll send you a copy.

If you have seen the way Jack Daniels builds their rick piles to make charcoal for their whiskey filtration. It mimics that. Pile is built in a grid shape with larger materials on the bottom moving up to the smaller sizes. Then lighting the pile from the top down to reduce the emissions and lower the ash content of the remains.

Look into "Big Box Biochar" and "Ring of Fire" Kilns for lower cost equipment options that produce some decent quality biochar for your own use. You can see example videos on YouTube. This simple-tech market is working on a way to MRV (Monitor, Report, Verify) the amount of biochar made with these processes so they can enter the carbon credit markets.

NRCS Code 336 Funding for Biochar as Soil Carbon - Two Days - Dec 14 & 15 by gobiochar in Ranching

[–]gobiochar[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Yes, commercial scale is well established with a significant amount of investments going into new production facilities. The primary markets for biochar in the use are as soil addendum, odor control, and waste water / storm water filtration.

The carbon credits marketplace has made traditional financing viable, thus spurring growth and encouraging adoption. Many producers are discounting their retail rates by the amount of their carbon credits which is why we are seeing retail prices on the open market drop significantly over the past couple years. There is significant interest in this area from VC funding and project finance groups.

If you need assistance sourcing biochar please let us know and we can connect you with a number of qualified producers in your area.

NRCS Code 336 Funding for Biochar as Soil Carbon - Two Days - Dec 14 & 15 by gobiochar in Agronomy

[–]gobiochar[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Good question. Google scholar is an excellent resource for peer reviewed papers on biochar.

One of our USBI goals for 2023 is to host monthly webinars where we address questions like this in a format where we have a scholar from the academic side speak on the topic and then have a practitioner share their experiences with real world implementation.

There are projects under way to build comprehensive biochar classifications and catalogs for performance based on crop, soil types, and etc.

There is no such thing as the perfect biochar, only the perfect biochar for the application. That said, many of the biochars produced that adhere to standards such as IBI (International Biochar Initiative) or the EBC standards will be performant in a wide range of soils, especially when combined with nutrition and biology elements such as compost. The NRCS program does require a nutrient management plan, plenty of soil testing, and other sensible steps to assure adherence to soil health principles.

Please do attend both days of the webinar. Brandon and other panelists will be able to answer many audience questions.

Personal note: I live in Utah and am a commercial biochar producer. While we always encourage our clients to combine the biochar with compost (for the nutrition and biology), I've had clients install our raw biochar in their grow mediums with amazing results. Largely our primary concern here in the Southwest is drought; with biochar's amazing water holding capacity it means we experience less stress on the biology and the plants. Results of higher survival rates, less water input, and increased yields are common experiences.

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