Climate change threatens Florida’s communities, economy, and way of life. Our state is uniquely vulnerable to climate disasters like sea level rise, algal blooms, hurricanes, floods, droughts, and pollution-fueled health risks.
A major contributor to these threats is conventional agricultural practices involving synthetic fertilizers and chemicals. Agricultural runoff pollutes our water ways, including Lake Okeechobee, the Everglades, St. Johns River, and coastal waters. Toxic algal blooms endanger public health. Air pollution from burning sugarcane has the potential to cause respiratory illnesses and birth defects.
Tanner Davidson demonstrates Biochar created at Jubilee Orchards after pyrolysis of organic chicken litter at 600 degrees.
But Florida agriculture does not have to harm the environment. Farmers can be part of the climate solution by adopting regenerative practices like biochar.
Biochar is created by heating biomass in a low oxygen environment. This charcoal like matrial persists in soil for thousands of years, improving soil heal and sequestering carbon-reducing greenhouse gasses. Studies show that biochar increases nutrient availability, water retention, and crop yields. It can replace synthetic fertilizers and toxic chemicals that pollute waterways.
Participants pick blueberries and enjoy other activities at the Jubilee Orchards.
Companies like Jubilee Orchards and Everlizer are demonstrating biochar’s benefits here in Florida. We use pyrolysis to convert chicken litter into organic fertilizer and biochar. The biochar sequesters their greenhouse gasses while the organic fertilizer protects water quality by reducing nutrient runoff. We have lab tested our biochar with organic chicken litter as the feedstock in labs in Florida and Georgia. The results reveal a very high level of carbon and essential micro-nutrients in our product comprising a very high- grade biochar.
We have also field tested our biochar on soil in our organic blueberry bshes and pear trees, as well on tomato plants, shrubs, and newly planted trees. We have witnessed dramatic results compared to non- treated soils.
A recent article in The Wall Street Journal, has some important points about biochar’s positive eco- impacts on farming practices:
“ Forget whiz-bang technologies that are supposed to solve climate change. An ancient agricultural practice that removes carbon from the atmosphere is getting fresh attention from big companies. Biochar is a black substance similar to charcoal that when buried underground sequesters carbon dioxide, the primary greenhouse gas that causes climate change. Nearly all the roughly 65,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide that have been removed from the atmosphere to date have been sequestered using biochar, according to estimates from data provider CDR.fyi.”
Andrew Bass of Everlizer says that his company is scaling up pyrolysis to serve more farmers.: “Biochar organic fertilizers improve soil health and farm productiviy while minimizing environmental impacts. It’s a win-win for our business, customers, and the environment.”
The research is clear – biochar can transform agriculture into a climate change solution. Florida should incentivize and support farmers to adopt regenerative practices like biochar. Our communities, economy and future depend on agriculture leading the fight against climate change.
Lawton “Bud” Chiles
Lawton “Bud” Chiles is among the 500 Most Influential Business Leaders designated by Florida Trend magazine. He and his wife, Kitty Chiles, own and operate Jubilee Orchards, an organic blueberry farm in Tallahassee.
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