2012 Conference
Sonoma Biochar Initiative selected to host the 2012 US Biochar Conference.
The Sonoma Biochar Initiative (SBI) in partnership with the Sonoma Ecology Center have been
selected by United States Biochar Initiative (USBI) to host the 2012 US Biochar Conference in Sonoma
County, California from July 29 to August 1, 2012.
Go to the 2012 Biochar Conference Website for information about submitting abstracts or Sponsorship opportunities. Registration opens in February.
USBI director Gloria Flora notified the Sonoma organization of the Advisory Board selection. Sonoma
was selected for its practical, enterprising focus on Biochar opportunities, the abundance of agricultural
partners in the region and the County’s national standing as a leader in addressing climate change.
The biochar industry is a young enterprise in this country with the term biochar having been coined
only in 2007. Biochar is elemental carbon refined from biomass and made cleanly using today’s
technology. While the primarily market for biochar is as a soil amendment, the production process also
yields valuable gasses used for renewable energy production, or as a base material for further refining.
Raymond Baltar, SBI Director said, “We’re thrilled to be hosting this national conference in Sonoma
County next year and feel it will significantly boost awareness of biochar’s benefits in the local
agricultural community and on the West Coast. When done responsibly and sustainably, production and
use of biochar has been shown to boost crop yields, build long lasting soil fertility, and conserve water.
The fact that it can also sequester carbon for hundreds or even thousands of years holds great promise as
a viable, scalable mitigation strategy for addressing climate change.”
2012 US Biochar Conference is designed to advance our understanding of the economic, science and
policy issues related to biochar as both an amendment for soils as well as agent for carbon sequestration.
California’s reputation for progressive policy and venture capital resources provide an excellent setting
for showcasing new innovative technologies like biochar.
The 2012 conference will bring together growers, entrepreneurs, investors, scientists, policymakers,
policy analysts, engineers, producers, users, and students on the topic of biochar. SBI will publish the
schedule and program in Spring 2012. SBI expects the Conference to attract as many as 400 attendees
from North America and International destinations.
The Sonoma Biochar Initiative (SBI) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting biochar
education, production, and use. SBI is sponsored by the Sonoma Ecology Center, a Sonoma Valley nonprofit working collaboratively to sustain and enhance ecological health.
US Biochar Conference
July 29 – August 1, 2012 ● Rohnert Park, CA
