Biochar Production and Organic Amendments for Soil Health and Habitat Workshop

Join us for a workshop in Texas!

This workshop will provide participants with an overview of biochar production and the benefits of using biochar and other organic amendments to improve soil health. Additionally, in addition to building practical knowledge and skills, we will have time to network and learn from each other over a multi-day workshop.

If the weather permits, we will do two biochar burn demonstrations – the first will be women only and the second will be open to all participants. We will also do some in-field work learning about how to deploy amendments such as compost and potentially talk through making and using simple erosion control structures with rock resources on hand. The National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) will be presenting on Carbon Farm Planning. When we’re ready for a rest in the shade, we will have discussions about topics such as the properties and characteristics of biochar and compost and how these relate to soil health, managing for pollinators, and star viewing.

Instructors include Quivira Coalition Carbon Ranch Initiative staff (Eva Stricker, PhD, Janet Garcia, MBA, and Megan O’Connell, PhD), and Cody Brown from NCAT.

This workshop is free, and we welcome a suggested donation of up to $60 per person to contribute to food costs. Meals (dinner Friday, all meals Saturday, breakfast on Sunday) will be provided as well as snacks (fruit, cheese, etc.)

Participants may camp, bring an RV (no hookups available), or reach out to request the limited bunkroom that is available.

Participants should be prepared for warm, windy conditions and must have proper clothing and footwear if they wish to participate in the biochar burns. More details to follow upon registration. Feel free to reach out to carbonranch@quiviracoalition.org with questions.

Agenda

Friday

5:00 – 6:00 pm: Registration and Dinner
6:00 – 6:30: Welcome and Introductions
6:30 – 7:30: Review burn plan
IF we can burn:
7:30 – 9:30: Make biochar
IF we can’t burn:
7:30 – 8:30 Discuss use of biochar
Evening: Star Party

Saturday

IF we can burn:
5:30 – 6:30 am: Coffee and light snacks
6:30 – 7:30 am: Review burn plan
7:30 am – 9:30 am: Make biochar
IF we can’t burn:
6:30 – 7:30: Coffee and light snacks
7:30 – 9:30: Spread compost and Introduction to erosion control structures to keep water high on the land
9:30 – 10:30: Breakfast
10:30 pm – 12:30 pm: Soil Health and Organic Amendments on Rangelands
12:30 pm – 1:30 pm: Lunch
1:30 – 3 pm: Planning for soil health and carbon
3 pm – 4:30 pm: Free time
4:30 pm – 6:00 pm: Pollinator discussion
6:00 pm – 7:00 pm: Dinner
IF we need to burn:
7:00 pm – 7:30 pm: Review burn plan
7:30 pm – 9:00 pm: Burn
9:00 pm – late: Star Party

Sunday

If we need to make biochar:
5:30 – 6:30 am: Coffee and light snacks
6:30 – 7:30 am: Review burn plan
7:30 am – 9:30 am: Make biochar
If we don’t need to make biochar:
6:30 – 7:30: Coffee and light snacks
7:30 – 9:30: Spread compost and Introduction to erosion control structures to keep water high on the land OR any other lingering topics
9:30 am – 10:30 am: Breakfast
10:30 am – 11:30 am: Close and Depart