Lists (Apologies for sending to multiple lists):

1. I received a request this morning to send a reminder of the A) USBI
conference coming up June 27-30 and B) the deadline for abstracts in Feb.

2. Re A) The conference details are at:
(http://typo3.eng.iastate.edu/fileadmin/www.biorenew.iastate.edu/images/Biochar2\
010/BiocharSaveDate.pdf);
With the key sentences being:
" Recent advances in biochar science and technology will be showcased at
Biochar 2010:
U.S. Biochar Initiative Conference, hosted by Iowa State University on
June 27–30.
Join scientists, engineers, policymakers, policy analysts, producers,
and users to discuss
these critical developments.
Call for Abstracts now open • Deadline for submission: February 1
For Biochar2010 conference information, visit
www.biorenew.iastate.edu/biochar2010"


3. Re B) The abstract information is at:
http://www.ucs.iastate.edu/mnet/biochar/home.html.
in part stating:
*"Scientists, engineers, policy analysts, policy makers, users,
producers, and students are hereby invited to submit abstracts for
consideration for presentation and poster sessions for the 2010 U.S.
Biochar Initiative Conference. Deadline for submission is Monday,
February 1, 2010.

Presentations are being considered in the following general program areas:*

    1. Biochar Production and Characterization
    2. Biochar and Agriculture, Forestry, Soil Science and Environment
    3. Biochar Policy and Economics
    4. Biochar Markets and Business Opportunities
    5. Biochar Origins and History
    6. Other Topics in Biochar and Energy (awareness, education, regional
       activities, advocacy and social implications, etc.)"


4. I have learned a lot at these conferences. If you are at all serious
about Biochar, I strongly recommend putting this event in your plans. If
you are already putting considerable time in, I hope you will also be
putting together an abstract in the next few weeks; I am going to.

. Please pass these two ideas on. Ron

Kevin (cc Erich and Thayer and multiple lists)

     1.  Your question (below about available conference proceedings) is
a good question.  This to help myself and because I haven't seen the
answer in one long string with the detail that would be most helpful.  I
add Erich and Thayer as the premier "historians" of  Biochar to add and
correct my mistakes.  I also hope everyone reading this will add
comments on papers or talks they thought especially important.  I have
made no attempt to give single papers at non-Biochar conferences - but
feel free to add those.  I listened in via conference call  to a good
one yesterday given at USDA Washington headquarters - there are just too
many of those to try to list them.  A lot are cited at the IBI site.

     2.    2004.  The earliest I know of  (10-11 June) was coordinated by
Danny Day.  Some good documentation at:
           http://www.eprida.com/eacu/

        2005??

     3.   2006   The  next earliest I know of was in Philadelphia -
organized as a July side meeting of the WSSC, maybe (?) by Johannes
Lehmann.  I see a little about it at:
            http://www.biochar-international.org/about

     4.  2007   The only one I know of was organized by IAI - the
International Agrichar Initiative.  At the meeting the name (but not the
group) was changed to IBI (B=Biochar).  The organizers were mostly
Australian - with credit maybe to Stephen Joseph and Adrianna Downie.
Debbie Reed was head of IAI at the time - and still of IBI, but I
believe didn't have a lot to do with the selecting of presentations or
conference organizing.  Most of the posters and papers and more are all
readily available at:
          http://www.biochar-international.org/conferences/2007.

     5.  2008.  a.  The 2008 (Sept. 8-12) conference was now under IBI
auspices, but again mostly organized (I think) by folks in the UK, and
specifically researchers at Newcastle University.  The Conference Chair
was Prof. David Manning.  The same sort of conference details (note a
photo with about twice the number of attendees) are at:
         http://www.biochar-international.org/conferences/2008

      b.   October.    The IBI site has a great set of about 40 Biochar
papers that seem to have not had any connection to IBI, but rather to
the SSSA.  David Laird (USDA-Iowa) was the chair.  See:
        http://www.biochar-international.org/sssa

      c.  Others in 2008???


     6.a  2009.   There were two regional Biochar Conferences in 2009,
authorized but not organized by IBI.  The first (17-20 May) was again in
Australia.  I can't figure out if there was a Chair, but there were 10
on the organizing committee (three from Japan).  Details can be found at

http://www.biochar-international.org/regional/conference/australia2009

        b.  The second was held in Boulder 9-12 August, hosted by the
Rocky Mountain Biochar Initiative and the University of Colorado.  This
one was chaired by Jonah Levine and the main sessions are on video (with
of course many posters and papers).  A US Biochar Initiative
(http://www.biochar-us.org/) grew out of this sponsoring  the one
(below) at Iowa State University..  Details of the 2009 "USBI"
conference at:
           http://cees.colorado.edu/northamericanbiochar.html

        c.  There were also a number of shorter "sub-regional"
conferences that (I think) had minimal involvement by IBI and fewer papers:

               c1.  The Pacific Northwest group held a meeting  21-22
May, probably chaired by John Miedema.  See some presentations archived at:

http://groups.google.com/group/pnw-biochar-meeting-may-21-22-presentations?hl=en

              c2.  The Sea-Char (Seattle) group had workshop in August.   See
          http://www.biochar-international.org/regional/seattle

             c3.  There is a short description (no papers saved ??) of an
October conference in China,  See:
          http://www.biochar-international.org/regional/china

              c4    IBI has a nice writeup and leads for the conference
organized by the Northeast USA group between 17-19 November 2009.
Details at:
          http://www.biochar-international.org/nebiochar

              c5.  See a listing of several important December events
(including at Copenhagen) at:
          http://www.biochar-international.org/date-browser/2009-12

?? Missing from 2009??     I did not go back in the IBI calendar past
last month.


     7.   2010  At the 2008 Newcastle conference, the IBI board decided
to have a spacing of about 18 months between their official
international conferences and so gave approval to their next to be held
in Rio   The IBI calendar is the main place I see that and others for
2010 listed at IBI this way:   1 conference in February, 3 in March (see
http://www.biochar-international.org/date-browser/2010-03), one in June
(that for USBI at
http://www.biochar-international.org/date-browser/2010-03), and then the
big one between 12 and 16 September in Rio, found at
http://www.biochar-international.org/date-browser/2010-09  and
http://www.biochar-international.org/node/944

     8.  Other   Apologies to others of the almost two dozen
regional/community groups {and possible other soil conferences] who I
maybe should have cited.  All of the known former are listed at:
             http://www.biochar-international.org/network/communities

Ron


Kevin Chisholm wrote:

Dear Ron
> This looks like an interesting conference. Are Transcripts/Papers available
> on line for previous such Conferences?
>
> Thanks!
>
> Kevin
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Ron Larson" <rongretlarson@...>
> To: "Discussion of biomass cooking stoves" <stoves@...>;
> <biochar@yahoogroups.com>; <biochar-policy@yahoogroups.com>;
> <biochar-soils@yahoogroups.com>; <biochar-production@yahoogroups.com>
> Cc: "Euken, Jill E [BEI]" <jeuken@...>
> Sent: Wednesday, January 13, 2010 1:00 PM
> Subject: [biochar] Two Biochar reminders about Iowa State in June
>
>
>
>> Lists (Apologies for sending to multiple lists):
>>
>> 1. I received a request this morning to send a reminder of the A) USBI
>> conference coming up June 27-30 and B) the deadline for abstracts in Feb.
>>
>> 2. Re A) The conference details are at:
>>
(http://typo3.eng.iastate.edu/fileadmin/www.biorenew.iastate.edu/images/Biochar2\
010/BiocharSaveDate.pdf);
>                 <snip>
>

----- Original Message -----

From: Ron Larson

To: biochar@yahoogroups.com ; Kevin Chisholm

Cc: Discussion of biomass cooking stoves ; biochar-policy@yahoogroups.com ; biochar-soils@yahoogroups.com ; biochar-production@yahoogroups.com ; Euken, Jill E [BEI] ; Thayer Tomlinson ; 'Erich Knight'

Sent: Wednesday, January 13, 2010 7:24 PM

Subject: [biochar-production] Re: [biochar] Two Biochar reminders about Iowa State in June

 

Kevin (cc Erich and Thayer and multiple lists)

1. Your question (below about available conference proceedings) is
a good question. This to help myself and because I haven't seen the
answer in one long string with the detail that would be most helpful. I
add Erich and Thayer as the premier "historians" of Biochar to add and
correct my mistakes. I also hope everyone reading this will add
comments on papers or talks they thought especially important. I have
made no attempt to give single papers at non-Biochar conferences - but
feel free to add those. I listened in via conference call to a good
one yesterday given at USDA Washington headquarters - there are just too
many of those to try to list them. A lot are cited at the IBI site.

2. 2004. The earliest I know of (10-11 June) was coordinated by
Danny Day. Some good documentation at:
http://www.eprida.com/eacu/

2005??

3. 2006 The next earliest I know of was in Philadelphia -
organized as a July side meeting of the WSSC, maybe (?) by Johannes
Lehmann. I see a little about it at:
http://www.biochar-international.org/about

4. 2007 The only one I know of was organized by IAI - the
International Agrichar Initiative. At the meeting the name (but not the
group) was changed to IBI (B=Biochar). The organizers were mostly
Australian - with credit maybe to Stephen Joseph and Adrianna Downie.
Debbie Reed was head of IAI at the time - and still of IBI, but I
believe didn't have a lot to do with the selecting of presentations or
conference organizing. Most of the posters and papers and more are all
readily available at:
http://www.biochar-international.org/conferences/2007.

5. 2008. a. The 2008 (Sept. 8-12) conference was now under IBI
auspices, but again mostly organized (I think) by folks in the UK, and
specifically researchers at Newcastle University. The Conference Chair
was Prof. David Manning. The same sort of conference details (note a
photo with about twice the number of attendees) are at:
http://www.biochar-international.org/conferences/2008

b. October. The IBI site has a great set of about 40 Biochar
papers that seem to have not had any connection to IBI, but rather to
the SSSA. David Laird (USDA-Iowa) was the chair. See:
http://www.biochar-international.org/sssa

c. Others in 2008???

6.a 2009. There were two regional Biochar Conferences in 2009,
authorized but not organized by IBI. The first (17-20 May) was again in
Australia. I can't figure out if there was a Chair, but there were 10
on the organizing committee (three from Japan). Details can be found at

http://www.biochar-international.org/regional/conference/australia2009

b. The second was held in Boulder 9-12 August, hosted by the
Rocky Mountain Biochar Initiative and the University of Colorado. This
one was chaired by Jonah Levine and the main sessions are on video (with
of course many posters and papers). A US Biochar Initiative
(http://www.biochar-us.org/) grew out of this sponsoring the one
(below) at Iowa State University.. Details of the 2009 "USBI"
conference at:
http://cees.colorado.edu/northamericanbiochar.html

c. There were also a number of shorter "sub-regional"
conferences that (I think) had minimal involvement by IBI and fewer papers:

c1. The Pacific Northwest group held a meeting 21-22
May, probably chaired by John Miedema. See some presentations archived at:

http://groups.google.com/group/pnw-biochar-meeting-may-21-22-presentations?hl=en

c2. The Sea-Char (Seattle) group had workshop in August. See
http://www.biochar-international.org/regional/seattle

c3. There is a short description (no papers saved ??) of an
October conference in China, See:
http://www.biochar-international.org/regional/china

c4 IBI has a nice writeup and leads for the conference
organized by the Northeast USA group between 17-19 November 2009.
Details at:
http://www.biochar-international.org/nebiochar

c5. See a listing of several important December events
(including at Copenhagen) at:
http://www.biochar-international.org/date-browser/2009-12

?? Missing from 2009?? I did not go back in the IBI calendar past
last month.

7. 2010 At the 2008 Newcastle conference, the IBI board decided
to have a spacing of about 18 months between their official
international conferences and so gave approval to their next to be held
in Rio The IBI calendar is the main place I see that and others for
2010 listed at IBI this way: 1 conference in February, 3 in March (see
http://www.biochar-international.org/date-browser/2010-03), one in June
(that for USBI at
http://www.biochar-international.org/date-browser/2010-03), and then the
big one between 12 and 16 September in Rio, found at
http://www.biochar-international.org/date-browser/2010-09 and
http://www.biochar-international.org/node/944

8. Other Apologies to others of the almost two dozen
regional/community groups {and possible other soil conferences] who I
maybe should have cited. All of the known former are listed at:
http://www.biochar-international.org/network/communities

Ron

Kevin Chisholm wrote:

Dear Ron
> This looks like an interesting conference. Are Transcripts/Papers available
> on line for previous such Conferences?
>
> Thanks!
>
> Kevin
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Ron Larson" <rongretlarson@comcast.net>
> To: "Discussion of biomass cooking stoves" <stoves@listserv.repp.org>;
> <biochar@yahoogroups.com>; <biochar-policy@yahoogroups.com>;
> <biochar-soils@yahoogroups.com>; <biochar-production@yahoogroups.com>
> Cc: "Euken, Jill E [BEI]" <jeuken@iastate.edu>
> Sent: Wednesday, January 13, 2010 1:00 PM
> Subject: [biochar] Two Biochar reminders about Iowa State in June
>
>
>
>> Lists (Apologies for sending to multiple lists):
>>
>> 1. I received a request this morning to send a reminder of the A) USBI
>> conference coming up June 27-30 and B) the deadline for abstracts in Feb.
>>
>> 2. Re A) The conference details are at:
>> (http://typo3.eng.iastate.edu/fileadmin/www.biorenew.iastate.edu/images/Biochar2010/BiocharSaveDate.pdf);
> <snip>
>

I have been building a vessel for producing wood vinegar in order to be doing
something to produce something because I thought it was possible for me to do
this and I still think it is possible. I am building it out of the wrong
material, iron and steel rather then stainless steel. so the product will
actually be black ink. still I am going to use it as a soil amendment. I am
interested in getting organic certification. I do not see how I can get organic
certification if I am using wood vinegar as a soil amendment I will probably be
banned from organic certification

I am making char daily in a 6-quart dutch oven [cast iron pot with
cast iron lid], which I fill with sawdust and set in the woodstove
atop the wood.  The woodgas flames out from under the lid and the
sawdust turns to fine char in two to three hours.  Then I pull the
pot out with a poker through its wire handle, let it cool for 20
minutes or so, and empty the char into a tight metal tin with a lid
[to keep it from burning itself out].  Then I refill the pot and
start over.  I get two or three pots per day at about a gallon of char per pot.

I also save the charcoal chunks left from the wood fire, and would
appreciate suggestions on how to pulverize them.

I am mixing some char into the compost, but saving most of it for
spring, when I hope to mix it with the soil in test plots, with
adjacent untreated controls, and see what the results are.   My soil
is slightly acid, derived from glacial till so very stoney but not
too clayey.  I have  prepared the raised beds used last year by
double-digging, burying chopped leaves, pigeon manure, and compost,
and recovering with dirt, then mulching over the top with chopped
leaves and shredded maple bark.  I have also prepared similarly the
soil under ten rubber tires, thinking to grow tomatoes and peppers in them.

Any suggestions on how much char to use, or other aspects of soil
preparation for growing vegetables, would be appreciated.


Brian Holm, Parts for Peugeots
at Peugeot Holm, since 1969
2120 Maple Hill
Plainfield, VT, 05667
802-454-7132

Biochar-soils list:

     The following is a partial exchange that I think should have
considerable interest to the Biochar-soils list.

1.   I said in a private response:

         "See vetiver-system@googlegroups.com  .   It is run by the same
folk at vetiver.org - where it is easy to sign up.  I see the word
Biochar there also on the opening page..

        ........   I am going to pass your Vetiver paper below on to the
Biochar-soil list.  I had not ever heard of Vetiver being associated so
closely with phosphorus  (I really know nothing about vetiver - just
that it looks like it could work well with Biochar - and we need more
source plants for making char.) "

2.  I was responding to a private message to me, saying in part:

"particular interest is the relationship this grass has with soil biota.
       http://www.vetiver.org/TVN_IVC2/CP5-4-1.PDF
It appears to me that there is much potential to use vetiver grass to
improve the microbial health of soil as well as all the other benefits.
And of course this may fit in well with the use of biochar. "


3.   I found this  short vetiver 3-pager from Thailand very informative
- but especially because there is so much there on specific bacteria and
fungi (these uniquely associated apparently only with vetiver) that help
release phosphorus - a topic that looms very critical for the world.  I
presume there are other plants that come with the same
phosphorus-releasing biota?  Anyone on this list able to report on any
other plants like vetiver with this phosphorus release capability?   If
so, I am going to sleep easier tonight.

Ron

Hi Lloyd,

Thanks for the introduction to Nicky's book. A worthy
endeavor, no doubt.

I assume you found my addy from the biochar NG.
A good thing, thanks.

By way of introduction, I am on a number of agriculture
newsgroups and in early 2007 found numerous resources
regarding TP including this one under the handle of Spike Silverback.
http://hypography.com/forums/terra-preta/13404-char-volumes.html

I don't come entirely new to the "science" as I have always felt
that my practicing organic and biodynamic ag was cutting edge
and TP is another good exploratoy tool. Given the pro beliefs
of TP, I set out on my own to try to develop a char addition to my
developing vineyard in NW Arkansas. Luckily I was able to obtain
large volumes of charcoal locally. Further, I am associated with
http://www.midwestbiosystems.com/    and
https://www.microleverage.com/
both advocates of the Luebke compost methods. I can take them
tons of charcoal and they blend it with the compost and spread it for
me.

Although my methods aren't  measurable nor scientific, it is
my belief that serious soil fertility is happening at my place.
With the addition of maximum soil mineral additions i.e.
http://www.soilminerals.com/    it is safe to say that this farm
could be a poster child for how it should be.

I clicked on your Linkedin group to join. Don't know that I can add a
lot
to the group or the Yahoo group. But at the least, I'm one guy out there
believing and doing it. Next comes the pottery. Am sourcing some volumes
to add to the mix.

Thanks again and best wishes.

Frank
PS Photos available on request.

Http://www.eganbronze.com
Egan Bronze Oil Lamps
"Light the Planet"
971 Jackson
Benicia,  CA 94510
707.245.6452 Cell






On Jan 28, 2010, at 12:10 PM, Lloyd Helferty wrote:

> http://www.theecologist.org/reviews/books/404126/
> how_to_make_and_use_compost_the_ultimate_guide.html
>
>  
>
> Drawing from 40 years of composting experience, Nicky Scott's latest
> book will inspire confidence in beginners and give new techniques to
> veteran composters
>
>  
>
> As far as compost is concerned…, there is a big difference between
> throwing your leftovers on a heap at the bottom of the garden, and
> producing the kind of high-grade potting mix on sale at your local
> garden centre.
>
>  
>
> ‘Given the right conditions, anything that lived recently, and quite a
> few things that were living hundreds of years ago, can be composted,'
> he writes.
>
>  
>
> The skill, it appears, is in balancing the right ingredients in your
> compost heap to create the perfect conditions for soil microbes to
> flourish. Get this right and they'll do all the hard work for you.
>
>  
>
> … the secret of healthy compost is a combination of ‘browns' and
> ‘greens'**. The browns (dry leaves, stems and twigs) create air
> pockets for aerobic digestion, while the greens (sappy materials,
> grass cuttings, peelings and skins) encourage fungi and bacteria.
>
>  
>
> ** LH: We might add: …and ‘blacks’
>
>  
>
> … matured compost has a variety of end uses, from allotments to flower
> beds, house-plants and window boxes, and, as well as the satisfaction
> that comes from making your own, its also likely to save you money.
>
>  
>
> Written with humour and flair, How to Make and Use Compost will either
> give you confidence as a beginner or improve your technique even if
> you're a habitual composter.
>
>  
>
> Equally relevant to domestic gardeners, market gardeners and teachers,
> the book highlights the growing trend of gardening in schools and
> evaluates several larger models of compost bin available commercially.
> Further chapters cover nutrient budgeting, hot-composting, making a
> wormery and community composting networks.
>
>  
>
>    Lloyd Helferty, Engineering Technologist
>
>    Principal, Biochar Consulting (Canada)
>
>    603-48 Suncrest Blvd, Thornhill, ON, Canada
>
>    905-707-8754; 647-886-8754 (cell)
>
>       Skype: lloyd.helferty
>
>    Steering Committee member, Canadian Biochar Initiative
>
>    President, Co-founder & CBI Liaison, Biochar-Ontario
>
>    Advisory Committee Member, IBI
>
>    http://www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=1404717
>
>    http://www.facebook.com/group.php?id=42237506675
>
>    http://groups.google.com/group/biochar-ontario
>
>    http://www.meetup.com/biocharontario/
>
>    http://grassrootsintelligence.blogspot.com
>
>  
>
>     www.biochar.ca
>
>  
>
> Biochar Offsets Group: http://www.linkedin.com/groups?home=&gid=2446475
>
>  
>
>
>
Http://www.eganbronze.com
Egan Bronze Oil Lamps
"Light the Planet"
971 Jackson
Benicia,  CA 94510
707.245.6452 Cell

Biochar-production list (adding 3 more):

     This is the last day (all day) to get in an abstract for this USBI
conference.  All you need (topics, length etc) is at :
              (http://www.ucs.iastate.edu/mnet/biochar/home.html)

     Apologies for redundancy..

Ron


Erich Knight wrote:
>
>
> Dear List,
> This is good news for the biochar industry, I had been bugging SynGest
> to talk more about the char side of their process, now I'm sure they will.
> I'm looking forward to what SynGest will have to show and tell at the
> USBC in June.
>
     <snip>

List:

1.  I found this recent lengthy Biochar article quite well written and
with some new slants (especially good on terra preta connection):


http://blog.miller-mccune.com.s72010.gridserver.com/science-environment/the-dirt\
-on-climate-change-6524/

2.  Some new information (to me) especially on calcium carbonates in
soils (the reason for sending to two lists)

Ron

Abe (and adding soil)

Thanks for your report. I have looked over the map of Chihuahua and saw
on one that you were also way off the beaten track - maybe the end of
the road? But another map showed a good road going south?. This 2008
google photo looked like a nice road, but an unfinished (or washed out?)
bridge south of town. That OK now?. Being so small, I guess almost no
business section and a limited ability to buy much? Maybe somebody can
do welding? Probably a person or two who does masonry? I saw one nice
picture of a good-looking class room - which must serve ranching
families from quite some distance away, qiven such a small village
population. How many total population are you representing? Or is it
only the one village?

A few more small questions below on what you wrote, but I am sure we all
mostly want to know more about yourself, - your job, how long there if
not a native, how much longer, what skills you and others have in town.
etc. Have you written in mostly because you have heard of Biochar and
see it as a way to improve ag productivity? Do you have access to any
farm extension experts in Chihuahua who can help? Any special connection
with any wealthy person or company nearby?

You have set the record I think for an inquiry from the smallest village
- but with excellent command of English.

A few other questions I should have asked are 1) how many families have
or don't have electricity and 2) what is the main means of cooking? 3)
At your altitude and with some chance of snow, there must be a good need
also for home heating. How is that done (everyone have chimneys - if
done with wood?)? Clean cooking and heating? The town is in good health?
4) How many have vehicles available for transporting biomass to a
central location (getting back char in exchange for delivering wood
somewhere). Could you be delivering wood to other places (to do
char-making there)?

My first gut reaction is directed at making char during the home heating
season - unless you don't think there is that need - or will be hard to
change traditions over. The companion "stoves" list has a lot on
charcoal-making stoves - and we can go down that road if you think there
is potential.

Another plus for Teporachi is your river. First, some good char can be
made with an open fire (the preferred method of a famous US whiskey
maker). There is a need for dousing at the right time (when the char is
bright red, but flames have gone out Just takes practice - and you are
burning this to ash now anyway).

Also, you might have the possibility with plentiful river water of
capturing (by condensation) pyrolysis liquids. This has been the topic
of a few recent e-mails (and maybe some list member knows how to do that
- not me).

I think you can do a lot with local adobe or concrete blocks. I think I
would stay away from metal - because of the expense - unless barrels are
cheap and you have a metal worker nearby..

Any local industry nearby anywhere that needs heat?

Might your locally-grown fruit be dried and processed in town - rather
than shipped out? Anyone making beers? liquors?

Maybe your responses to some of these questions/ early ideas will
generate some more ideas. Good luck in this. Ron


Abe wrote:
>
> Ron,
>
> The village is Teporachi, located in the mountains east of the Copper
> Canyon area. *[RWL: To those who haven't been through the Copper
> Canyon, I can say it was the most spectacular railroad trip I have
> ever been on. I strongly recommend it. We stayed overnight near the
> summit/divide and enjoyed that a lot as well . Is your community part
> of the Tarahumara culture? (or similar?) We own one Tarhumara face pot
> - ( a technology where firing could be done while making char)]*
>
> Our landscape is rolling hills with a river valley where the village
> is centered. We have lots of oak, pines, willows, poplars, junipers,
> and various other trees. *[RWL: I saw a couple of good photos. *
>
> The population in the village is probably around 300-400 people, just
> under 100 households.
>
> The main form of income is ranching, with cattle being the product.
> Second to that, we have apple, pear, and peach production. Our climate
> gives us an advantage with these orchards in that we have the earliest
> apple crop in the country of Mexico (1st of August).
>
> People also farm corn, sorghum, beans, and various other
> vegetables/crops, corn being the biggest crop.
>
> We're at about 6,000-6,500 ft elevation, and average rainfall is about
> 25-30 inches. We get snow every other year or so, but it is very
> light. Our winters are fairly mild, with daytime high averaging about
> 45-65 degrees. Summers are warm, with day times around 85-95. *[RWL:
> Has there been any/much erosion? We have been hearing a lot about
> vetiver grass to help stabilise hills. A prolific grower.]*
>
> Most of our rainfall comes in July-October, with the winter and spring
> being very dry.
>
> Education is normally middle school, some high school, and very few
> college level. *[RWL: high school in San Francisco de Borja? Some bus
> service? Is this where you would go to buy sheet metal? What is the
> availability and cost of used barrels?]*
>
> Income levels are very low (especially when compared to the US), but I
> would say an average income for head of family is about $4,000 -
> $7,000 (USD) annually. The going rate for labor is about $15 (USD) per
> day, and most people work at this rate.
>
> Our biomass supply consists of tree prunings (orchards), coppice
> (willow, eucalyptus, poplar, juniper), manure (both animal and human),
> and ag waste (corn stalks, cobs, bean vines, etc). [*RWL good to hear
> about coppicing. ]*
>
> Most people don't compost much, and instead burn most of the waste in
> open fires, and we are hoping to remedy that first. Animal manure is
> used extensively as fertilizer in the fields.
>
> Most people have chickens, family pig, and a few other animals used
> mostly for meat or egg production. Some folks have milk cows, and we
> had milks goats for quite some time. Nearly everyone has a small
> family vegetable patch, mostly tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, melons, etc.
>
> I hope that information gives a clearer picture of where we are and
> how we manage things. *[RWL: Yes thanks, much clearer.]*
>
> --- In biochar-production@yahoogroups.com
> <mailto:biochar-production%40yahoogroups.com>, Ron Larson
> <rongretlarson@...> wrote:
> >
> > Abe:
> >
> > Could you give the name of the village and a bit more about it?
> > (Population, rainfall, altitude, biomass supply, forms of income,
> > education and income levels, etc)
> >
> > Ron
>
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>
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00:35:00
>
>

Kevin: See below, after my first noting that the author is a Professor -
specializing in enviornmental journalism. He was basically only
paraphrasing the opinons of seven experts, who were:

William Woods re terra preta
Rattan Lal carbon
David Manning - soils
Curtis Monger - Soils, carbonates (the only new name for me, was not
advocating adding carbonates)
Robert Brown - Biochar
Johannes Lehmann - Biochar
James Hansen - climate

Did you feel he was inaccurately quoting someone - if so , who? This is
a pretty prestigious list

More below


Kevin Chisholm wrote:
> Dear Ron
>
>     ----- Original Message -----
>     *From:* Ron Larson <mailto:rongretlarson@...>
>     *To:* biochar@yahoogroups.com <mailto:biochar@yahoogroups.com>
>     *Cc:* biochar-soils@yahoogroups.com
>     <mailto:biochar-soils@yahoogroups.com>
>     *Sent:* Tuesday, February 02, 2010 1:31 AM
>     *Subject:* [biochar] New, better than average, Biochar article
>
>     List:
>
>     1. I found this recent lengthy Biochar article quite well written and
>     with some new slants (especially good on terra preta connection):
>
>    
http://blog.miller-mccune.com.s72010.gridserver.com/science-environment/the-dirt\
-on-climate-change-6524/
>    
<http://blog.miller-mccune.com.s72010.gridserver.com/science-environment/the-dir\
t-on-climate-change-6524/>
>
>     2. Some new information (to me) especially on calcium carbonates in
>     soils (the reason for sending to two lists)
>
>     # I get nervous when I see what appears to be a grossly
>     incompetent and inane Article relating to proposed "Climate Change
>     Solutions" that don't make sense. This article makes me
>     nervous.... perhaps I am wrong and missing something important. I
>     would appreciate it very much if someone would be kind enough to
>     help me see where I am wrong. If I am correct in my observations,
>     the Climate Change Folk should quash this article, because it
>     lessens their credibility. Equally, the Biochar Folk should quash
>     it, because being extolled as a solution, in the same breath as
>     "fluff stuff" will detract from the credibility of Biochar Folk also.
>
>     # So... here goes with what I am nervous about....
>
>     # I think they are out to lunch with their suggestion about adding
>     "calcium" to the soil to sequester carbon. "Calcium" is "elemental
>     Calcium"... a highly reactive metal, never found as metal in
>     nature. If they mean "Calcium Carbonate", then it cannot sequester
>     carbon, because it is already loaded to capacity, as CaCO3.
>
*[RWL: You misunderstand. This is a well-known CCS technology known as
mineral carbonation - better known than Biochar when this next cite was
written . See section 7.2 in
http://www1.ipcc.ch/pdf/special-reports/srccs/srccs_wholereport.pdf

I think there may be a little inkling of a way to tie this into Biochar
here. If a soil could use more carbonate. Anyone agree? I haven't seen
that coupling idea in print.

*
>
>     # They make, what I feel is a totally inane suggestion to use
>     cement to absorb carbon dioxide. "Cement" is limestone that has
>     been reeacted with Al, Si, and Fe oxides, to form a complex
>     Calcium-Aluminum-Iron Silicate, virtually incapable of CO2
>     re-absorption.
>     # Equally inane is the suggestion to "put seawater on the Deserts"
>     to form caliche (basically precipitated CaCO3) What will happen is
>     totally opposite to their stated intent... the CaCO3 is held in
>     solution in seawater basically as Ca(HCO3)2, and when evaporated,
>     we get:
>     Ca(HCO3)2 ----> CaCO3 + CO2 + H2O, and his suggestion would
>     INCREASE the CO2 in the atmosphere.
>     # Am I in error?
>
*[RWL: I think you need to re-read it. The author's attempting to bring
the ideas of Biochar (he likes) and mineral carbonation (he's dubious)
to a new audience (the purpose of this particular magazine). I think he
accomplished his aim.

Ron

*
>
>     Best wishes,
>     Kevin
>
>
>     Ron
>
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>
> No virus found in this incoming message.
> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
> Version: 9.0.733 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/2663 - Release Date: 02/02/10
00:35:00
>
>

Hey, they made better ceramics art than you can (ill betyou) , so were no
dummies. And, I wouldnt want to get hit over the head with a ceramic club,
either.....ceramics is the pre-cursur to metal working, and underlies all of our
technologies, with out it, no technologie, in history, or today...
Michael



There are a couple questions to consider:  One researcher I read (I
will try to re-find that report) claimed that terra preta soil 'grows'
or expands slowly over time.  I have no clue how this could occur.  The
second point of wonder is that the Amazonian society was technically
pre-stoneage.  There weren't rocks there, which is why there is no
remaining architectures or walls.  Digging down 2 meters with branch
spear tools is incredible, almost incredulous.

Fredric

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/blueleaf-inc-and-dynamotive-announce-2nd-year-a\
gricultural-field-trial-results-with-dynamotives-cquesttm-biochar-2010-02-18?ref\
link=MW_news_stmp

In my august opinion (laugh) the obvious is to make ceramic vessels, as the
last, are cheap, and they dont transfer heat as well, but maybe research could
overcome this ( glass, and bronze are melted in high teck ceramic vessels)...

Michael




Biochar Stoves
Posted by:      "graham890011" DIYSolar@...    graham890011
Sun Feb 21, 2010 1:10 am        (PST)

Dear All,

In recent years I have been offering my engineering practical
experience to people in developing countries and have taken a keen
interest in Biochar.
I have come across the Anila stove which seems an excellent concept
where a stove is needed that can serve for cooking as well as producing
Biochar particularly in areas with vast quantities of waste sawdust.

So I started to design a prototype following the information found at
www.bioenergylists. org/stovesdoc/ ravikumar/ Biochar_Anila. pdf
and elsewhere.
The concept is neat with a central gasifying column below the pot but I then
recalled reading about problems with some wood stoves.

Am I right in believing that with the most efficient stoves, where the
wood is fully combusted, the extra temperature destroys most linings
and that even steel can be melted?

If that is the case it means that the Anila central tube must be easily
replaceable which would mean the stove cannot be welded together as
indicated.

I hope some of you will be kind enough to report your experiences.

Graham

I recall discussion / concern over surface application of biochar...
  - loss due to erosion
  - application in forests & potential loss in fire scenario.

There has also been discussion on biochar mobility related to worms & terra
preta.

Darwin may have some answers...
http://www.stuff.co.nz/blogs/opinion/3417091/How-Darwin-opened-a-can-of-worms-in\
-New-Zealands-soil

Maybe some research has been done on biochar mobility?
This may be important for forest applied biochar for carbon storage?