What is your occupation? Where do you work?
I am a lecturer in Anthropology at North Dakota State University and Minnesota State Community and Technical College.
Tell us a little bit about you and your background:
I was born and raised in Manitoba, Canada. I harbor a deep love of the natural word and environmental causes. I incorporate my anthropological research with my personal passions for food production and environmental protection. Seven years ago I learned of the ancient practice of biochar production.
Simply put, biochar is charcoal mixed with compost/animal waste/grass clippings/etc and is perhaps the best soil amendment out there.
Biochar holds onto nutrients and water and, in the face of globally degraded soil and a growing human population, regenerates soil and increases harvests.
What is a fun fact about you?
I have taught myself how to play the piano. I’m not very good, but I enjoy it.
What was your motivation to get into this industry?
My children’s future.
Why do you think climate change/sustainability is such an important topic today?
Past is prelude. What we have done in the past is now having a direct impact on our present, putting our future at risk.
What do you envision your industry looking like 10 years from now?
Biochar production is scaled up and easily and inexpensively available as a soil amendment to food producers around the world.
What can the average person do to make a difference?
Produce local and consume local. If everyone had a backyard garden, everyone would eat better.
What positive changes are you seeing?
Biochar production is gaining traction in many more parts of the world even compared to just 5 years ago. Not only does biochar aid in food production, but it is also permanent carbon sequestration in the soil. Biochar takes what was once atmospheric carbon and buries it in the soil.
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