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16 CapitalPress.com March 18, 2016 Researcher examines biochar use in forests Use of waste wood could be beneficial By MATTHEW WEAVER Capital Press Research is underway that could lead to more uses for waste wood, a U.S. Forest Service researcher says. Instead of thinning stands to boost productivity and burning the resulting slash- piles, researchers believe turning it into biochar — a supplement made of charred biological matter — would be better for long-term carbon storage and boosting soil’s nutrient- and moisture-hold- ing capacities. “We’re hoping we can make a change in forest management,” said Deborah Page-Dumroese, research soil scientist with the U.S. For- est Service Rocky Mountain Research Station in Moscow, Idaho. “Instead of making slashpiles, we can actually use that waste wood for a ben- eit.” Textured soils with little organic matter content re- Matthew Weaver/Capital Press Rockford, Wash., farmer David Gady holds biochar made from bluegrass screenings January 2014 on his farm. Researchers are looking at the use of biochar in forests. sponded better than soils with higher organic content. Agri- cultural soils typically show better response to biochar be- cause they’re lower in organic matter, Page-Dumroese said. Biochar is applied differ- ently on forest soils. It is add- ed to the surface instead of being incorporated into farm land. It takes several years for biochar to move into forest soils. As more areas experi- ence drought, an increase in water-holding capacity extends the growing season, Page-Dumroese said. Or- ganic matter also acts as a sponge during flooding, re- taining more moisture. Page-Dumroese plans to continue her research. The biggest benefit of biochar is carbon sequestration, she said. Researchers primarily fo- cus on matching biochar to the proper site. Some forest sites do show an increase in the growth of overstory trees. “We see small chang- es, but we still see above- ground growth changes,” Page-Dumroese said. The sites most likely to require biochar include mine land sites, overgrazed areas and highly compacted forest sites with organic matter re- moved due to fire. Page-Dumroese said some mine sites are showing an increase in plant survival. She uses a mixed conifer feedstock or a mix of pinyon pine and juniper for biochar. Page-Dumroese said roughly 30 percent of ma- terials used to make biochar on an acre should be re- turned to that particular acre, but the rest could be sold for use on gardens or farms. She advised potential customers to consider the source of the biochar and its pH levels. Howard Boyte, CEO of Walking Point Farms, a vet- eran-owned agritech busi- ness in Tigard, Ore., said the forest service approached him several years about commercializing biochar. The company plans to mar- ket a commercial product. Page-Dumroese’s lab is the lead on researching the project with Oregon State University, Boyte said. Biochar is expensive right now, Boyte said. The govern- ment would need to require biochar use for food it pur- chases for prisons, military and USDA food programs for it to gain traction with farm- ers, he said. FFA members get a close-up view of the Oregon Legislature Director of Public SALEM — To Policy Jenny connect with and Dresler and OFB inspire the next Public Policy generation of Counsel Mary advocates for Anne Nash. Oregon Beth Reiley and agriculture, the Beth Patrino, Oregon Farm legislative Bureau Young committee staff, Farmers & gave the group Ranchers Courtesy of Oregon Farm Bureau tips on how to Committee FFA members, advisers, and staff take a full tour of the Oregon Capitol Building, Jan. 21. Oregon Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers organized an FFA Committee organized the FFA Legislative Day for high school students at follow bills with the online Oregon the start of the 2016 Legislative Session. Legislative Day Legislative for high school Information System (OLIS) and how to testify students at the Oregon State Capitol during before committees in person and in writing. the 2016 legislative session. Oregon Department of Agriculture Deputy Introducing FFA members, educating Director Lisa Hanson talked about various them about public policy issues impacting agriculture issues and fielded questions from farmers and ranchers and explaining the the students. legislative process are all critical to the The afternoon included visits from two future of Oregon agriculture, said Kathy legislators. A former FFA officer, Sen. Bill Hadley, past chair of the YF&R Hansell, R-Athena, enjoyed the opportunity to Committee. share his experience and insight with students. “This group was comprised of top-notch Rep. Susan McLain, D-Hillsboro, emphasized FFA leaders — kids that will potentially the importance of bringing people together to have an office in this building someday,” talk through issues and find solutions. The said Hadley. “YF&R is glad to educate workshop concluded with a tour of the Capitol. them about the agriculture issues we face North Clackamas FFA Adviser Kathy every day as farmers and ranchers, and the Mayfield took her entire chapter’s officer team dual role Farm Bureau members play in to the Legislative Day. advocating for our industry at the Capitol.” “The students loved learning about Bryson Price of the Sutherlin FFA agriculture’s hot topics and walked away Chapter attended “to gain experience in feeling like their opinions mattered, even if working other ag organizations, networking they’re teenagers,” Mayfield said. “They really and learning how progress can be made felt like they had a stake in what’s going on in when farmers of all ages work together.” our state. Our group valued the contacts made The event was attended by 17 FFA with Farm Bureau members and talked about it members from around the state, including for several days afterward. In fact at the next the entire current state FFA officer team, meeting, North Clackamas FFA proposed that two FFA advisers and state FFA staff. the chapter pay for all officers to attend this The group learned about lobbying as a event every year.” career and got issue updates from OFB 12-2/#13
