Biochar Learning Network for Nonprofit Farmer Educators in New York State

Commodities

Practices

• Crop Production: nutrient cycling, nutrient management, organic fertilizers
• Education and Training: mentoring, networking, on-farm/ranch research, technical assistance
• Energy: byproduct utilization
• Farm Business Management: apprentice/intern training, new enterprise development
• Natural Resources/Environment: carbon sequestration
• Production Systems: holistic management, organic agriculture
• Soil Management: composting, organic matter, other
• Sustainable Communities: new business opportunities, partnerships

Project Focus: The Northeast agricultural sector faces a significant opportunity to adopt biochar technology - a proven soil amendment that sequesters carbon, improves soil health, and offers potential revenue streams through carbon credits and value-added products. However, many small to midsize farmers lack access to practical knowledge about biochar production and application. Five nonprofit farm educators in New York State have expressed strong interest in integrating biochar education into their existing farmer training programs, which serve new and emergent farmers. These service providers currently lack the hands-on experience and educational resources needed to effectively teach biochar systems to their farmer networks.

Solution and Approach: White Feather Farm will establish a Biochar Learning Network connecting five nonprofit farm educators through a comprehensive three-year education and implementation program. The project will provide each partner farm with a biochar demonstration system, hands-on training, and ongoing support from White Feather Farm's Director of Biochar and Sustainability. Through regular site visits, peer-to-peer learning exchanges, and collaborative workshops, service providers will gain practical experience in biochar production, application, and teaching methods. The project will develop essential resources, including farm-specific curricula, an educational website featuring case studies from each demonstration site, and a practical guidebook for Northeast farmers. By the project's end, the five partner farm educators will be equipped to incorporate biochar education into their farmer training programs, collectively reaching at least 300 small to midsize sustainable farmers. This initiative will advance Northeast SARE's outcome statement by making sustainable farming practices more accessible while addressing improved soil health, and waste management practices.

White Feather Farm's Director of Biochar and Sustainability will serve as the project's primary service provider and create a comprehensive Biochar Learning Network (BLN). This network will develop an educational resource website and a practical booklet for Northeast farmers. Our director will collaborate with five neighboring nonprofit farmer educators to integrate biochar education into their curricula, providing hands-on training in biochar system design, operation, and maintenance and enabling these educators to effectively teach their visiting farmer networks (six service providers total).

Over three years, our director will conduct regular site visits to each partner farm, providing and installing their own biochar demonstration systems, offering ongoing support, shared learning, and strategic feedback on biochar production and application as a soil amendment. By the program's end, the five partner farm educators will incorporate biochar education into their farmer training programs. Collectively, we aim to educate at least 300 small to midsize sustainable farmers in the Northeast, providing them with the knowledge and skills to understand and potentially implement biochar systems. This initiative will improve soil health, better waste management practices, and energy production opportunities.