The Organic Fertilizer

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Biochar
The Organic Fertilizer
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What Is Biochar?

• Biochar is an eco-friendly fertilizer containing
  fine-grained charcoal high in organic carbon.
• It is produced from the burning of organic
  materials.
• As a soil amendment, biochar can replace
  commercial fertilizers to avoid polluting
  groundwater.
• Biochar-amended soils have shown 50 80
  reductions in nitrous oxide emissions and have
  reduced the amount of phosphates found in
  groundwater.

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The History Of Biochar

• Biochar has been around for thousands of years.
• Amazonian Indians used biochar to improve the
  fertility of their soil. They made biochar by
  burning wood, leaves, and animal remnants.
• Biochar has been used by many different cultures
  leading up to today.
• Currently, biochar is being studied by
  scientists around the world.
• Biochar is sold commercially in South America,
  but is not yet available for sale in the U.S.

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What Makes Biochar A Good Fertilizer?

• Biochar is a carbon negative, meaning it takes
  carbon from the atmosphere and locks it into the
  dirt for millions of years, reducing global
  warming. Biochar reduces emissions of green house
  gases.
• Biochar is organic and does not harm the
  groundwater with phosphates.
• Biochar holds nutrients in the soil.
• Biochar improves soil fertility and productivity.
• Biochar can be made at home.
• Biochar allows soil to retain water for longer
  periods of time to conserve water.

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How To Make Biochar

• First you have to gather wood and burn it.
• Before the wood turns to ash, you have to smother
  the fire with dirt.
• Scrape the char off the wood and collect the
  charcoal in a large container.
• Mix the char with bone meal, peat moss, and other
  organic materials and add it to your soil.

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Sources

• www.wikipedia.org
• www.biochar-international.org
• Andrea Spahn, NJ Watershed Ambassador
• www.state.nj.us/dep/
• New York Times
• Stephanie Murphy, PhD, Rutgers Soil Testing
  Laboratory

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