- Author: Milton E McGiffen
This should be interesting. Many have wanted NRCS to makebiochar more prominent in their recommendations on soil health, etc. On June 12 they will be doing a webinar
Biochar Formulation as a Soil Amendment in the Agricultural, Forestry, and Environmental Sectors
For more info and to sign up: http://www.conservationwebinars.net/webinars/biochar-formulation-as-a-soil-amendment-in-the-agricultural-forestry-and-environmental-sectors?sr=wp~mkt-whenPub
- Author: Milton E McGiffen
University of California collaborates with CDFA on the Climate-Smart Farming program. Our commitment includes several farm advisors at locations across the state, and provides support to farmers who want to adapt to the impending change in climate and do what they can to mitigate.
A summary of their programs can be found at: https://goldrushcam.com/sierrasuntimes/index.php/news/local-news/18328-uc-cooperative-extension-ramps-up-its-climate-change-response
- Author: Milton E McGiffen
North American Carbon World (NACW) is in downtown Los Angeles from April 24-26. The conference aims to bring together a wide range of participants from government to business to talk about carbon markets and climate policy.
For more details see: https://www.nacwconference.com/
- Author: Milton E McGiffen
NRCS Conservation Practice Standards are a determinant of how we farm, funding, and a variety of other things. Many in the biochar community felt the Standards sold biochar short. Well...
"Until April 25, the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is accepting comments as part of its review of conservation practice standards mandated by the 2018 Farm Bill and designed to improve the standards and increase flexibility."
For more info, see: https://www.agri-pulse.com/articles/12077-opinion-nows-your-chance
- Author: Milton E McGiffen
Lauren Hale is the new Research Soil Scientist at the USDA-ARS San Joaquin Valley Agricultural Sciences Center in Fresno. I knew Lauren from her PhD research at UCR under David Crowley. Her thesis explored the use of biochar as a shelter for beneficial soil microbes. She subsequently worked as a Postdoctoral Researcher at the University of Oklahoma's Microbial Ecology lab, where Dr Hale researched total microbial community response to climate change and how that response affects carbon and nitrogen cycling.
Her research projects going forward will include how the soil microbiome affects and is affected by soil health. This currently includes field experiments on the influence of biochar on plant yield under deficit irrigation. Dr. Hale is particularly interested in whether biochar stabilizes microbial communities in cases of drought stress. Future research will investigate biochar for use in water purification.
Contact information: lauren.hale@usda.gov . Office phone: 559-596-2865
