Biochar Workshop: Maximizing Soil Health through Climate Smart Techniques

Join Blue Ridge Women in Agriculture and Working Landscapes with Alex Gray at Laughing Springs Farm to learn how to make and use Biochar! 

 *PLEASE SEE DETAILS FOR PARKING BELOW*

The Blue Ridge Collaborative Regional Alliance for Farmer Training (CRAFT) is excited partner with Working Landscapes to host this workshop focused on making and using biochar with a Climate Smart Biochar Kiln. Biochar is a type of charcoal produced from organic materials that can enhance soil fertility and improve crop yields. During this workshop, participants will have the opportunity to learn about the benefits of biochar and how to integrate it into their agricultural practices.Participants can look forward to hands-on demonstrations, expert-led discussions, and practical instruction on producing and using biochar effectively with Biochar researcher, Alex Gray. We hope to see you there! 

What to expect:

This is an outdoor, hands on workshop! Bring a water bottle and any snacks you might want. Please come dressed for the weather, and to be around a hot kiln and fire. There is a short walk to the Biochar burn site, so wear shoes you feel comfortable walking in. 

*Parking information and Address:

There are only 6 available parking spots at this workshop, please plan to carpool by filling out this form! Please fill out this form and we will be in touch about solidifying a carpooling plan and coordinating details. 

The address is 838 Howards Creek Church Rd, Boone NC, 28607. The workshop will be held at Laughing Springs Farm in Boone, North Carolina. 

About the instructor: Alex Gray

Alex Gray currently researching soil regeneration and biochar. Along with the Nexus project at Appalachian State, he is working on soil regeneration and biochar production methods that are applicable and appropriate for small local farms.

About Blue Ridge Women in Agriculture:

Blue Ridge Women in Agriculture helps build an equitable, sustainable High Country local food system by supporting producers and cultivating community connections that educate, inspire, and increase the demand for local food. This workshop is part of BRWIA's 2024 CRAFT Summer Workshop Series. Blue Ridge Collaborative Regional Alliance for Farmer Training (CRAFT) cultivates meaningful mentor relationships between aspiring and experienced farmers. ​We believe that the educational and professional development of tomorrow’s growers and producers informs the health of our diverse local-food system and rural economy. Check out our other workshops and events for producers at brwia.org/craft.

About Working Landscapes: 

Working Landscapes is a rural development organization that was founded in 2010 by Carla Norwood, PhD and Gabriel Cumming, PhD, as a way of investing in the future of Carla’s home community: rural Warren County, North Carolina. Our office is in a renovated, historic commercial building on Main Street in our county seat, Warrenton. Started in 2012, we repurposed another vacant downtown property—a former cotton gin and flour mill—to become our region’s first food hub.

Though we are rooted in Warren County, we believe that many pressing issues—from healthy food system development to climate change—are best addressed regionally. Our farm-to-fork value chains, educational programs, and research initiatives connect communities across our region and beyond. We provide research and stakeholder engagement services to other organizations as well.