Join Farms at Work, Hello Farm, and Haliburton Forest Biochar for an enlightening farm tour exploring the applications and benefits of biochar.
Discover the potential of biochar through an in-depth tour of Hello Farm, a mixed vegetable operation specializing in Japanese and heirloom vegetables and proactive soil management. Learn from expert, Jeff Pettit, about the numerous benefits of using biochar as a soil amendment, how to work with it effectively, and where to source it. This workshop provides both practical and technical insights into biochar’s production and applications.
What is Biochar?
Biochar is a type of charcoal created through pyrolysis, a process of heating organic material in the absence of oxygen. This unique product offers numerous benefits as a soil amendment, including improved soil structure, increased water and nutrient retention, and heightened soil microbial activity. Biochar’s potential to sequester atmospheric carbon makes it a valuable tool for regenerative farmers at any scale.
About the Hosts:
Ava Richardson co-runs Hello Farm, an organic market garden in Havelock, Ontario. After a decade of farming in Kyoto, Japan, Ava and Zenryu Owatari re-launched their farm in Havelock in 2021. They cultivate over 120 varieties of organic vegetables, including heirloom Japanese produce and local favorites. Their fresh produce and vegan meals are available at local farmers' markets and select wholesale customers.
Jeff Pettit is the Business Development Manager at Haliburton Forest Biochar. With certifications in biological and nutritional farming, soil management, and microbe management, Jeff is passionate about organic and sustainable farming practices. Haliburton Forest Biochar, a division of Haliburton Forest & Wild Life Reserve Ltd., produces high-quality biochar from the waste products of their sustainably managed forests.
Farms at Work is a non-profit organization working to protect healthy, active farmland across east central Ontario. For over a decade, Farms at work has been working to support farmers, new entrants, and landowners through education, mentorship, and research.
