Practical Biochar for Farms, Homesteads and Properties

Understand and unlock the full potential of biochar as a regenerative technology in this comprehensive online course.

Guided by one of the pioneers from the biochar movement, the course will equip you with both theory and practice, wherever you may be in your biochar journey.

We will cover the basics of biochar and its environmental benefits, advanced production techniques, biochar's role in land and animal management, as well as innovative applications in agriculture and beyond.
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An Ancient Way To Address Local And Global Challenges

Like many human discoveries, biochar appears to have been invented, lost, and reinvented multiple times. It is found in the rich terra preta soils of the Amazon and in the ancient “dark earths” dotting Africa, Asia, and Europe. However, biochar isn’t just an archeological curiosity.

In this online course, Kelpie Wilson will show how the simple process of burning organic material in a low-oxygen, low-emission environment could be one of the most powerful tools we have to restore degraded soils and reduce our dependence on fossil fuels.

Drawing on her acclaimed new book, she will also equip you with a step-by-step process to make high-quality biochar as a low-tech but effective means of reducing wildfire risks, restoring soil carbon, managing manure, weaning farms off of toxic inputs, and producing the best compost ever made.
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Dive into the world of biochar now

Would You Like To:

Understand The Biology

Delve into the scientific aspects of biochar, its molecular structure and properties, and how it promotes humus formation in soil.

Make Your Own Biochar

A practical guide where you will learn about basic burn science and how to choose the right feedstocks.

Learn To Heal The Earth

See biochar's ability to rehabilitate land, its implications for global carbon cycles, and its potential to mitigate climate change.

Design Kilns And Stoves

We'll cover step-by-step construction of a cook stove you can make yourself, and take a brief look at large industrial systems.

Explore Case Studies

Your learning journey will be supported by examples in the field from an instructor with 15 years of biochar experience.

Make Your Biochar Count

Learn best practices for incorporating biochar into animal systems and compost production.
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Ready To Convert Waste To Resource?

Learn how to improve forest management and use excess material towards building soil.
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Nine Live Sessions

Sink into the subject of soil over the course of ten weeks.

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Recordings

Can't make one of the sessions? Recordings will be made available.

Practical Skills

Create biochar with the guidance of an experienced professional.

Community Learning

Learn from the examples and questions brought by your peers.
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This course is a really good fit for:

Agricultural Professionals

Farmers & agricultural professionals who seek to enhance soil health and crop yields.

Gardeners/Homesteaders

Gain self-sufficiency by enhancing organic waste recycling and reducing inputs.

Gardeners And Hobbyists

Avid gardeners who are seeking to improve their soil quality and plant health.

Environmentalists

Those interested in carbon sequestration and climate change mitigation.

Educators And Students

Particularly in environmental science, agriculture, horticulture, and related fields.

Entrepreneurs

Professionals exploring opportunities in biochar production and applications.

This course may not be suitable for individuals who:

Have No Interest In Sustainability 

Individuals with no interest in environmental sustainability or agricultural practices.

Are Purely Academic

Those unwilling to engage in practical, hands-on activities related to biochar production.

Only Seek Quick Fixes

People looking for quick-fix solutions without a commitment to understanding underlying principles.

Have No Interest In Science

Those not open to learning about scientific concepts and their applications in real-world scenarios.

Course contents

Course Logistics

WHAT

Nine live Zoom calls, each lasting two hours.

1 Hour Presentation

20-minute Group Discussion

30-minute Q and A

Required Textbook - The Biochar Handbook: A Practical Guide to Making and Using Bioactivated Charcoal
by Kelpie Wilson

WHEN

Jan 9 2025 -
Session 1
Jan 16 2025 -
Session 2
Jan 23 2025 - Session 3
Jan 30 2025 -
Session 4
Feb 6 2025 -
Session 5

1-Week Break: Go & Make Biochar!

Feb 20 2025 -
Session 6
Feb 27 2025 -
Session 7
Mar 6 2025 -
Session 8
Mar 13 2025 -
Session 9

TIME ZONE

Calls will take place on Thursdays at:

5pm PST
6pm MST
7pm CST
8pm EST

COST

REGULAR PRICE $399 USD

EARLY BIRD
$299 USD

Kelpie, I am so grateful for your service in the Biochar sphere. I especially appreciate that you meet people where they are in their level of understanding, whether they want uber-technical conversation, or not so much. I also love that you encourage grassroots and small-holder producers to produce and use locally. More power to you!
— M.K.
Someone with experience, who has read and done the research in order to learn the actual facts about what biochar is, what it does, and how it can be used at any scale of agriculture. It's good to see this subject finally addressed in a practical, no-nonsense way.
— Mark Shepard
Kelpie's book is by far the best book on biochar I've ever seen! We've all been needing this book―it's scientifically rigorous, well-written, and highly visual. If you don't have it already, get yourself a copy today!
— Matt Powers
Meet the instructor

Kelpie Wilson

Kelpie Wilson is a mechanical engineer and analyst with 35 years of experience in renewable energy, sustainable forestry, and resource conservation.

She has worked in the biochar industry since 2008, and was a founding board member of the US Biochar Initiative. She is the author of The Biochar Handbook: A Practical Guide to Making and Using Bioactivated Charcoal.

She hosts the Biochar in the Woods network to promote biochar production in place to benefit native ecosystems.

Kelpie researches and teaches techniques for making biochar and using it in gardens and native landscapes. She presents many biochar workshops annually for gardeners, farmers, foresters, and landowners and sells her Ring of Fire Biochar Kilns through Wilson Biochar, LLC.

She lives in rural Oregon, making biochar compost and growing a large organic vegetable garden that feeds two families.
Patrick Jones - Course author
Meet the host

Javan Bernakevitch

Javan Bernakevitch is a life and land designer who speaks, writes, teaches, and consults with clients, businesses, and farms worldwide through All Points Design and RegenerativeLiving.online, helping folks to have better lives and landscapes year after year.

He believes that if we don't design our lives, they'll be designed for us, not for our benefit. "If humans want to have a long life here on our planet, we best act like we are part of the ecology." 
Patrick Jones - Course author
Climate repair is the greatest challenge we have ever confronted, and it falls upon our generation, right now, no excuses. A formidable scholar and mechanical engineer, Kelpie Wilson has a way with words that few with either of those skills can equal. I would read her just to enjoy her style and humor, even if the subject were not so urgent and the stakes so astronomical.
— Albert Bates
A balanced, intelligent, and practical guide to one of the most promising ventures in the modern appropriate technology scene, Kelpie Wilson's book shows its author's detailed knowledge and extensive experience with biochar on every page. I would not be at all surprised to see The Biochar Handbook turn into the classic text in this burgeoning field. 
— John Michael Greer
This book is an absolute tour de force. It answers so many commonly asked questions about biochar in easy-to-understand prose. Everyone from newbies to those who have been in the biochar industry for years will learn a lot from reading this book. Recipes for bokashi, compost, toothpaste, and more showcase how biochar can be used both inside and outside the home.”
— Kathleen Draper

Frequently asked questions

How long will I have access to the course material?

You'll have access to the course material for one year from the start date of the course.

Is the course refundable?

The course is non-refundable.

Can my partner or friend look over my shoulder while I take the course?

Yes! Your registration allows for one "over the shoulder" viewing of the course. We ask you not to share your login information with anyone else. 

Sign Up For This Comprehensive Biochar Course Today!

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