--- In biochar@yahoogroups.com, "Mark Ludlow" <mark@...> wrote:
>
> Graham,
>
> Are you talking about young innocent types who pay their own airfare, live
> in mud huts (and pay rent), and sweat that Amherst education out of their
> pores at the end of a hoedad.just to ease some liberal guilt? Sure! Why not
> them?
>
> Mark
>
>
>
> From: biochar@yahoogroups.com [mailto:biochar@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of
> Graham Knight
> Sent: Friday, July 03, 2009 3:06 AM
> To: biochar@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: [biochar] A Biochar Project for Developing Countries
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> While I can certainly agree with the comment that
> "...experience is that the very best awareness and educational work is
> carried out by individuals who are not directly linked to any of the major
> NGO's, and who spend their own money and time."
> I do wonder what is envisaged for a multi-million dollar Biochar project?
>
> Perhaps I have I missed something in the conversation?
>
> If a big project is proposed how will these $ millions be kept out of the
> pockets of the corrupt local politicians?
>
> My feeling is that it would be better to at least start small using the
> wonderful types who selflessly,"spend their own money and time" and then
> start planning via them!
>
> Graham
>

Hey there Graham, Mark, and Nando,

I'm replying to this post because I would very much appreciate your involvement
in helping plan my upcoming biochar project in Central America. First of all,
in the interest responding to previous posts and full disclosure, I am what you
might describe as someone who is going to "pay their own airfare, live in mud
huts (and pay rent), and sweat that Amherst education out of their pores at the
end of a hoedad." I've got to contend, however, that I'm less motivated by
liberal guilt than I am a vested interest in the economic prosperity of the
people in Nicaragua to whom I will be returning for this project. Also, I'm
just 23, but lost my "innocence" half my life ago, and didn't go to Amherst, but
it's west coast equivalent, Claremont McKennna.

Getting to the point: I've been volunteering for the Seattle BioChar Working
Group (or SeaChar), helping develop their programs for the purpose of getting
their technology on the ground. Where I foresaw their technology working best
was our backyard in rural Latin America. I am lucky enough to have had field
experience in independent research and community planning work with Agros Intl,
a Seattle-based non-profit that operates there. Agros gave me the green light,
but no money and a pretty free reign to collect all the data I need, establish
test plots, and get feedback about the technology I'll be doing trials with.
I'll be getting fuel and labor savings and biochar production estimates for a
portable gasifying stove, and using a larger 55 gallon drum type kiln to make
more biochar for setting up test plots. Then next summer and in the following
seasons I should be able to get some info on fertilizer savings, changes in soil
fertility, and get more feedback on an improved stove.

I've got some good leads for funding, but nothing certain at this point. Any of
you guys have suggestions? Care to put in some cash for a kiln yourself? I'd
love to get some input if you have any to offer. I'll be hitting the ground
running early August, and will have until mid-September to get to as many of
Agros' communities in Nicaragua as I can. Also, Sustainable Harvest
International might pay to get me to the other side of Nicaragua to work with
their communities, and Forest Trends might bring me in on what they've got going
in Costa Rica. Other than that, I've got only a couple other options from
others for getting some of the financial burden off my back.

So, I've got a little project summary and pitch for funding if you can help out
or pass it along to someone who might. I'd be happy to address any questions or
comments you have, so please, respond to this message or reach me at
scottjeaton@.... Until later,