Come Learn About Biochar, and more…

Renel Anderson, President & CEO Biochar Supreme

at the San Juan Islands Agricultural Summit
March 7 and 8 — Orcas Public School
Everyone Welcome!

by Madie Murray —

Biochar is for anyone interested in growing plants (and composting), from the home gardener to commercial farmer.

Biochar is charcoal that is created by charing biomass (dry branches, hay, leaves, etc.) through the process of pyrolysis (high heat, low oxygen fire). Biochar combines leading edge technology with ancient proven practice; improving farming productivity and helping the environment. Learn the art and science of biochar from experts Tom Miles and Renel Anderson.

Biochar increases soil fertility, adds tilth and water retention capacity to soil, and can help provide protection against some diseases. It is one of the only known methods to sequester carbon on a large scale, and thus help address climate change, and is effective at promoting water quality.

This hands-on Biochar event will include “live burn” demonstration with stoves ranging in size: Small portable stove (the size of a 12 cup coffee maker); an adaptive-reuse of hot water heater; to various larger pyrolysis units.

This workshop is free, on Friday, March 7, and will be held at Coffelt Farm.  Registration required!

Full Schedule of events March 7 and 8:
Event descriptions: https://sjcarc.org/summit
Registration at Brown Paper Tickets: https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/560288
Registration for hands-on Friday workshops is separate from Summit Saturday.

The summit includes something of interest for everyone who cares about growing food and strengthening and sustaining a local food network.

Friday 1:30 to 5 (hands-on workshops):
• On-Farm Butchering with Farmstead Meatsmith ($135)
• Biochar Production on Coffelt Farm (free)
• Farm-to-School in Action (free)

Saturday 8 a.m. to 5:30:
More than 20 break-out sessions on soil fertility, seed production, emerging markets, grain for brew and bread, farm diversification.  A delicious local-ingredients lunch cooked by chef Christina Orchid.  Seed and heritage apple scion swap all day.

Keynote Speakers:
Steve Jones, grain breeder and director of the WSU NW Research and Extension Center, Mt. Vernon
David Montgomery, University of Washington geologist and author of Dirt: The Erosion of Civilizations

See you at the Summit!