Recording of Flame Carbonizer Webinar now online

Please help us get the word out about the upcoming Utah State University Learn at Lunch Webinar:
LOW-TECH FLAME CARBONIZERS FOR BIOCHAR PRODUCTION: THEORY AND APPLICATIONS

Date: July 25, 2017, 12 pm (MDT)
Speaker: Kelpie Wilson, Wilson Biochar Associates

Biochar is made by applying heat to biomass in the absence of oxygen. Flame carbonization uses the flame itself to exclude oxygen. Flame carbonization methods can produce high quality biochar from low value biomass waste found in fields and forests without investing in expensive equipment. Kelpie Wilson will explain the theory and design principles for using flame carbonizing techniques in various applications such as forestry, farming and urban tree care.

Kelpie Wilson is a mechanical engineer and analyst with 30 years of experience in renewable energy, sustainable forestry and resource conservation. Since 2008, she has focused on biochar as a tool to move excess carbon from the atmosphere to soil, where it can improve soil health and sequester carbon. She consults with farmers, private industry, and government agencies through her company Wilson Biochar Associates. She serves on the board of the US Biochar Initiative, works with several local groups in Oregon promoting sustainable forestry and agriculture, and presents many classes and workshops on small scale biochar production and use every year.

REGISTER HERE

SAF or ISA continuing education credits are available to those that watch this webinar live.

NRCS Site Visit

Todd Peplin of NRCS came down from Portland to see some our Conservation Innovation Grant work. We had a great time visiting with project participants and learning about the other important conservation practices they are doing in addition to biochar. Here are some pictures:

Todd and Troy talk cattle

Troy made a biochar kiln out of an old round bale feeder and some roofing tin

The big pile of high carbon boiler ash that Troy uses. Troy told us that in the winter the cows like to hang out on top of the pile because it is dry and warm

Barbara Fontaine shows us the biochar field trial in her pasture

Barb and Don do a lot of forestry on their 90 acre property. Here is a recent thinning operation.

Barb and Don put some small logs and brush in the stream to slow winter flows and improve habitat for fish.