Sonoma Biochar Initiative, in conjunction with the Sonoma Ecology Center, is developing the Citizen Science Project to gather quantitative data on above- and below-ground productivity, and qualitative data on plant and soil health of widely used fruit and vegetable varieties in Northern California. Combined with existing information on weather and soil quality, this data will be used to assess the effects of biochar on the productivity of soils across San Francisco Bay Area and Sonoma County. Go here (Citizen-Science) for more information.

2012 USBI National Conference

SBI, together with our partner the Sonoma Ecology Center, has been selected to host the 2012 USBI Biochar Conference, scheduled for July 29th through August 1st at Sonoma State University in Rohnert Park, California.

We are very excited about this honor and we are developing a rich program that takes particular advantage of the generous agricultural gifts with which Sonoma County is amply endowed. We are particularly fired up over the prospect of joining the promise of biochar with the rich and varied agricultural, renewable energy and climate policy resources of our area.

As we envision the conference next summer, the world class growing and wine making region combines with a powerful and growing local sustainable agricultural community to offer a number of unmatched experiences all within easy reach of the Sonoma State University conference facility.

To identify just a few specific potential matches with the growing promise of biochar within our immediate community we are looking closely at  Greenstring Farm, Tara Firma Farm, Valley End Farm, Benziger Family Winery, the Farm Trails destinations, Sonoma Biochar’s planned production and distribution operations at Sonoma Compost, Luther Burbank’s Greenhouse and Gold Ridge Farm.  A number of CSAs, vineyards, dairies and small farms that have expressed a willingness to have biochar field trials in place within the year, as well as the Sonoma Grange, a leader in the New Grange movement.

We also expect a growing biochar presence to complement community interest in renewable energy and climate strategies, including the proposed energy co-production planned for the Sonoma Biochar site, the work of the Regional Climate Protection Agency  and the Energy Independence Program,  Renewable Energy Secure Communities,  Transition Sonoma Valley,  and private efforts such as Sonoma Mountain Village, designed to be a model for sustainable urban community development, based on renewable energy, zero waste strategies, and urban green space.

We are looking forward to showcasing the broad and varied scope of Sonoma Valley’s forward-thinking agricultural, energy and environmental culture,  while adding the promise of vigorous and robust biochar production, application, research and education to our rich agricultural and environmental tradition.

 

Possible Biochar Production Technology Trial in Sonoma County

SBI continues to explore opportunities to bring one or more biochar production technologies into Sonoma County for pilot testing using local waste biomass feedstock of various types. One option we are exploring is to use the Adam-retort technology system available from New England Biochar. A masonry production unit possibly could be constructed at a local farm to be used both for testing and for training purposes. Alternatively, a steel transportable unit could be brought into the area for pilot project operations. SBI is also in contact with an inventor/entrepreneur in the San Francisco Bay Area to use his new prototype engine on Sonoma biomass wastes. This unit, expected to be available this year, can directly combust woody wastes to generate electricity, with biochar emerging as a by-product.

These projects would each require a grant of some kind, either from a government agency like the US Department of Agriculture (SBIR grant program) or the California Energy Commission (PIER grant program) or financial support from a foundation. We are exploring ongoing grant opportunities as they come up.

Testing Biochar in Sonoma Vineyards

SBI has arranged a vineyard field trial with David Cook Vineyard Management, in cooperation with Agromin. This trial, to start in June 2012,  is just the first of many such agricultural tests that will be applying and monitoring biochar as a soil additive in grape growing — Sonoma’s dominant agricultural endeavor.

Linking Biochar to Sonoma’s Climate Action Plan

SBI continues to work closely with the county’s implementation team for the climate action plan — the Regional Climate Protection Authority, RCPA — in exploring ways to best integrate biochar into its emerging programs. These interactions include monthly work group sessions.

Biochar and Water Conservation

SBI and the Sonoma County Water Agency are jointly seeking ways to use biochar effectively to control runoff and preserve water efficiently. Projects devoted to this issue are being designed.