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 shows 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.
In this online course, Kelpie Wilson shows 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.
Write your awesome label here.
Write your awesome label here.
This was one of the best courses I have taken in a long time! The content and delivery was excellent, the materials generous, and the teaching professional, clear and fun. Kelpie's knowledge of the biochar world is incredible, yet she was very humble and and I have much respect for her genuine appreciation for others’ skills and ideas. Javan organised and facilitated the course beautifully, making it available in a structured and clear way. Thank you both for such a pleasurable and deeply useful learning experience!
— Jenny Wickford
Is it time for you 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.
This course lived up to its name and more. Kelpie is a pioneer and leader in the growing field of biochar and shared her knowledge in a format that was consistently engaging. The course was also well organized, with resources available off-line and in a variety of formats. If anything, students were more excited about the potential and use of biochar at the end of the course - and well equipped to engage in the work of spreading awareness and use.
— Liz Dupont-Diehl
I came in with some knowledge and practical experience. My hope was that this course would deepen my knowledge - especially with the chemistry of biochar. I was not disappointed with the depth from the chemistry to the techniques to the practical applications. Kelpie also guided us as to how we could become biochar entrepreneurs. Thank you Kelpie and Javan. I would recommend this course to newbies to experienced biochar aficionados!
— Laural Gagnon
Write your awesome label here.
Write your awesome label here.
Write your awesome label here.
Course Logistics
WHAT
• Full access to all course content
• One year of platform access
• All 9 bonuses
• Immediate start, paced on your time
• 10 hours of expert-led lectures with Kelpie Wilson, one of the most experienced biochar practitioners working today
• 10 hours of recorded Q&A with real students - practical answers to specific situations like yours
• PDFs, tools, templates, safety guides, recipes, ROI case studies, and kiln plans
TEXTBOOK
The Biochar Handbook: A Practical Guide to Making and Using Bioactivated Charcoal
by Kelpie Wilson
This book is required reading for students to get the full learning opportunity from the course and the responsibility of the student to purchase.
This book is required reading for students to get the full learning opportunity from the course and the responsibility of the student to purchase.
WHEN
This is a self-paced course that you can work through at your own pace
ACCESS
This course is designed to be accessed via computer.
COST
One time payment of $299 USD
Ready To Convert Waste To Resource?
Learn how to improve forest management and use excess material towards building soil.
Write your awesome label here.
While taking this course a friend hired me to write a biochar fact sheet for her compost business. I was able to use the resources provided in the course to provide some solid info--but more importantly, while writing that fact sheet I had an epiphany that was mind blowing! I can't wait to apply my hypothesis. I appreciate all of the ground work Kelpie has done over these many years that allows me to get a head start on understanding the benefits of biochar and use it in new and beneficial ways.
— Janet Hofmann
Regenerative Living's Practical Biochar course with Kelpie Wilson exceeded my expectations. I learned so many new things about biochar including its history, applications and opportunities. I was already a big fan of Kelpie prior to taking this course, and now I am an even bigger fan! If you are interested in the world of biochar, I can't think of a better place to start.
— Lori Lilly
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.
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
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?
🛡 GUARANTEE: THE BURN TO LEARN PROMISE
Follow and complete the course. Make and apply one batch.
If your soil doesn’t show real improvement - better structure, moisture retention, or plant growth - we’ll refund your course fee plus $100.
We believe in this work. And we stand behind it.
Follow and complete the course. Make and apply one batch.
If your soil doesn’t show real improvement - better structure, moisture retention, or plant growth - we’ll refund your course fee plus $100.
We believe in this work. And we stand behind it.
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.
I already have Kelpie's Biochar book, how is the course different?
The book is a solid foundation.
The course builds on that and fills in what the book can’t really do. You’re not just reading concepts, you’re seeing them in action. Kelpie walks you through the actual process step by step - lighting the kiln, choosing feedstock, charging biochar, applying it in real-world systems.
There’s something about her doing it, hearing her explain what to watch for, what to avoid, that just makes it land differently.
You also get access to a full Q&A vault. That’s hours of recorded sessions where people like you asked about their specific situations - small farms, compost setups, garden beds - and Kelpie answered with direct, practical guidance.
Plus, there are a ton of supporting tools that come with the course. Kiln blueprints, compost charging recipes, plant trial methods, ROI analysis. It’s a full system you can apply right away, and revisit as often as you need.
The book gives you the “what” and the “why,” but the course is really about helping you do it right, the first time, without wasting effort or material.
Or like Lori said, "I bought Kelpie's book and figured it had everything I needed. This course was so much more than I expected. I'm glad I took it and was well worth the time and money."
The course builds on that and fills in what the book can’t really do. You’re not just reading concepts, you’re seeing them in action. Kelpie walks you through the actual process step by step - lighting the kiln, choosing feedstock, charging biochar, applying it in real-world systems.
There’s something about her doing it, hearing her explain what to watch for, what to avoid, that just makes it land differently.
You also get access to a full Q&A vault. That’s hours of recorded sessions where people like you asked about their specific situations - small farms, compost setups, garden beds - and Kelpie answered with direct, practical guidance.
Plus, there are a ton of supporting tools that come with the course. Kiln blueprints, compost charging recipes, plant trial methods, ROI analysis. It’s a full system you can apply right away, and revisit as often as you need.
The book gives you the “what” and the “why,” but the course is really about helping you do it right, the first time, without wasting effort or material.
Or like Lori said, "I bought Kelpie's book and figured it had everything I needed. This course was so much more than I expected. I'm glad I took it and was well worth the time and money."
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