Biochar could be a win-win for agriculture and timber regions across the Pacific Northwest.
Biochar is woody materials and forest residues, which are converted into a product used to improve soil productivity.
Researchers at Washington State University are looking at its potential for farming, and while the northwest is uniquely positioned to provide biochar, where is a question of demand.
According to WSU ag economist Mike Brady, “Our region is interesting because you have a lot of forests and you have a lot of agricultural land close to each other, and so it really helps if the source is close to the supply, is close to the potential demand, and we just happen to have the confluence of events here.”
In addition to demand, there is the question of the environment. Some people say biochar can help with carbon sequestration, but more research is needed to definitively make the claim.