Biochar is a carbon-rich soil amendment that enhances soil fertility, sequesters carbon to help reverse global warming, increases renewable energy production, and creates jobs.

The Northeast Biochar Symposium 2009 will highlight current biochar research and technological advances and provide vital information to public officials, researchers, farmers and landscape professionals, green industry businesses, and sustainable energy professionals. The symposium will provide a forum for the exchange of research findings, help to gain national media attention and stimulate discussion on biochar.
It will also establish a Biochar Northeast Initiative and a Northeast Biochar Research Consortium.

Keynote speakers include:

• David A. Laird, National Soil Tilth Laboratory, USDA Agricultural Research Service
• Dr. Johannes Lehmann, Crop and Soil Sciences, Cornell University, Chair, International Biochar Initiative and Co-editor, Biochar for Environmental Management
• Debbie Reed, Executive Director, International Biochar Initiative
• Dr. Christoph Steiner, Biological and Agricultural Engineering, University of Georgia

This event is open to everyone. Free admission for UMass faculty, students and staff.

Registration for individuals $95 before October 30 $130 afterward Student registration is $55, $90 after October 30. Optional dinner and Founders Meeting with added $35 fee For more information and to register, go to: www.nsm.umass.edu/biochar09

Biochar Demonstration Day November 14, 8am – 4pm New England Small Farm Institute, 275 Jackson Street, Belchertown, MA Practical hands-on applications and methods discussed the previous day. Knowledgeable presenters demonstrating and explaining their retorts and small stoves, with principal attention directed to the newly manufactured mobile Adam Retort, capable of producing up to 800 pounds of biochar per batch, plus discussions about application of biochar in soil and related aspects of heat and energy generation and use. Demonstrations will include: Premiere Introduction of the Mobile Adam Retort with Bob Wells & Peter Hirst, Founders of New England Biochar Top Lift Updraft (TLUD) Gasifier Stove demonstrations with Drs. Paul Anderson & Hugh McLaughlin Brush Pile Demonstrations with Dr. Tom Reed & Ted Wysocki Two-Barrel Demonstrations with Doug Clayton & Frank Jeffers Outdoor Biochar Furnace with Bruce Maanum Suggested donation: $25 per person (checks made out to NESFI)     payable beforehand or at NESFI For more information and to register, go to www.smallfarm.org