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Event
Biochar and Conservation Burn Workshop at Circle Bar Ranch
The Sonoma Biochar Initiative is pleased to announce a Biochar and Conservation Burn Workshop and Training, to be held from 9 A.M. to 1 P.M. on Tuesday January 19th at Circle Bar Ranch in southern Sonoma County.
By replacing conventional open burn methods with the conservation burn you can significantly reduce emissions (visible smoke and invisible chemicals and particles) from agricultural burns in your community and conserve resources, especially carbon. You will also learn how to produce biochar, a valuable soil amendment, in the process.
Biochar, made when biomass (such as vineyard, orchard, or other agricultural residue) is heated at high temperature in a low-oxygen environment, has been under serious, worldwide study over the last 10 years as a soil amendment. Biochar has been shown to increase soil tilth, cation exchange capacity, and plant production, and its highly porous structure and adsorption characteristics act as microscopic holding cells for nutrients, moisture, and beneficial microorganisms.
The workshop features both hands-on, in-the-field training as well as a classroom component.
The morning classroom session will focus on biochar itself, including why it works to improve soil, the benefits of using it in both animal and plant agriculture, how to properly condition it prior to use, and how to apply it. Conservation burn theory and methodology will also be covered, including safety and permitting considerations, pile construction, burn management, and maximizing production of biochar.
The late morning/early afternoon session will include hands-on field training using several large piles of vines and vine trimmings.
The proceeds from the event will support programs at the Sonoma Biochar Initiative and the Sonoma Ecology Center. Please bring a bag lunch, snacks, and water if you will need nourishment during the event.
Who should attend:
Anyone with wood, stalks, or brush surplus who normally does an open burn, or who is interested in biochar, such as:
Vineyard, orchard and row crop managers
Medical marijuana farmers
Land managers
Students
Ecologists
Forestry and tree contractors
Fire Service Personnel
And anyone interested in learning more about biochar, a remarkable soil amendment that helps to sequester carbon.
Field training attendees who want to participate should come ready to do some physical labor to help manage the piles. You must wear fire retardant or heavy cotton clothes, and bring work gloves, eye cover, and heavy duty leather boots if you want to participate in the field work.
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LocationCircle Bar Ranch (View)
25700 Arnold Dr.
Sonoma, CA 95476
United States
Categories
| Kid Friendly: No |
| Dog Friendly: No |
| Non-Smoking: Yes! |
| Wheelchair Accessible: Yes! |
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Contact
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