[Terrapreta] Update on Biochar Trials in Hangzhou, China
Robert Flanagan
saffechina at gmail.com
Fri Aug 31 01:19:35 EDT 2007
See http://terrapreta.bioenergylists.org/saffeaug282007
Hey Tom,
Great stuff, thanks for giving us an update, we can only hope the word gets
out there and more get involved.
I'm hoping Dr Zhong and his student visit my field trial today and start
taking some samples. Last Friday I took some photos (attached) and it was
very clear to see the benefits of biochar.
Regards,
Rob.
On 8/29/07, Tom Miles <tmiles at trmiles.com> wrote:
All,
I've spent the last six working days in Washington DC and in Portland,
Oregon reviewing bioenergy projects and programs with the US Department of
Energy, US Department of Agriculture, federal and state energy and
agricultural organizations including land grant universities and extension
agents. There was a strong emphasis on sustainability that had not
previously been part of bioenergy programs. At the federal level the
awareness and understanding of biochar was limited. There was interest and
curiosity when the practical applications were described.
I'm pleased to report that there was a much greater awareness of biochar at
the (Western States) regional level, especially among people involved in
soil conservation and agriculture. Returning nutrients and carbon to crops
as biochar was a natural part of our discussion about crop residues,
nutrients, water use, tilth and soil fertility. Some officials commented
that they were surprised at the strong emphasis the invited attendees put in
our recommendations for sustainability and nutrient management when
considering the use of crop residues for energy. It was clear that we were
concerned more about what we should leave in the soil than optimizing the
amount that we should remove.
This is a positive sign that we should have a receptive audience to the use
of biochar however biochar will not find its way into agriculture by itself
and it will take a significant effort to demonstrate its usefulness.
Tom Miles
Western Regional Biomass Feedstock Partnership Workshop, August 27-29, 2007
http://sungrant.oregonstate.edu/biomass_workshop.html
--
Robert Flanagan
Chairman & President
Hangzhou Sustainable Agricultural Food & Fuel Enterprise Co., Ltd.
Skype "saffechina"
Tel: 86-571-881-850-67
Cell: 86-130-189-959-57
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