Today
was all about soil. Soil is one of the foundations of life, yet it's something
most of us take for granted on a daily basis. Emily and Audrey provided us with
a workshop specifically on biochar, which none of us was familiar with at the outset.
However, the energy, passion, and exuberance with which they talked about
biochar, soil composition, pyrolysis, carbon: nitrogen ratios, charging,
composting, porosity, and Ph balances was contagious!
Charcoal
is best known as a fuel used for cooking (barbecues) under conditions of
limited oxygen. Biochar is made in the same manner as charcoal but it is intended as
an absorbent and/or soil amendment (Lane 2016). Biochar’s physical and chemical
properties provide it with a unique ability for attracting and holding moisture
and nutrients, somewhat like a sponge. The biochar process originated in
the High Andes of South America. For thousands of years, biochar has been used to
help make carbon-filled soils, rich in organic matter and able to support
agriculture and large human populations.
The use of biochar could
potentially save farming around the world and may be critical to helping slow
down the effects of global warming and climate change. Emily and Audrey are
extremely passionate about this issue and through their directed study class
under the supervision of Susan, they’re testing the effects of biochar on the Orchard
Garden’s coastal BC soil. Thus far, most of the studies have been undertaken in
the tropical Amazon region, so E and A hope to contribute to this important
body of research by testing biochar's use in a different area of the world. By the end of the summer,
they hope to discover which ratio of compost to biochar will produce the
highest yield of chard (pun intended!).
Apparently the contagion
has caught on - I am definitely going to stay tuned to E and A’s final findings
and am so glad that the beauty and necessity of soil was brought to light this
morning. One
huge take away from today was that biochar is perhaps one of the most viable
and significant solutions to climate change as we learn how to make locally
sustainable soil. As we work together to fix the foundation of our gardens,
together we are protecting the essence of life.
Poem
by Solare:
Biochar, Biochar, ain’t no
fuel for yo’ car.
Biochar, Biochar, ain’t no
cool internet star.
Biochar, Biochar, the name
is so bizarre.
Biochar, Biochar, makes yo’
plants grow really far.
Starting our day in a circle, ready to learn
about Nature’s wonder product - Biochar!
Biochar is ultra absorbent and keeps
moisture in the soil
Getting our hands dirty to test the
composition of the soil
Testing for PH and moisture levels
Written by Kathleen and Solare, edited by Jen
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