In this episode of The Biochar Show, host Meghan K. Lees interviews Myles Gray, Executive Director of the United States Biochar Initiative (USBI). They discuss the transformative potential of biochar in environmental sustainability, the current state of the biochar industry, and the various applications and markets for biochar. Myles shares his journey into the biochar field, USBI’s priorities for market development, and the importance of policy changes to accelerate biochar adoption. The conversation also touches on overcoming misconceptions about biochar, the future of the industry, and advice for entrepreneurs looking to enter the biochar market.

About the Guest

Myles Gray has been working in the biochar sector for nearly 15 years, in academia, consulting, private industry, and now in the non-profit sector as Executive Director of USBI. In the biochar space, he is an expert in biochar material properties, carbon methodologies, and industrial, agricultural, and infrastructure products and markets for biochar. Hailing from a small Vermont ski town, he now lives with his wife and two children in Portland, Oregon.

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This episode of the Biochar Show features Lucia Brusegan, Chair of the Board at the International Biochar Initiative and Managing Director at Starter, in conversation with host Meghan K. Lees. With over three decades of experience in sustainable development, Lucia has been instrumental in introducing biochar solutions to communities worldwide. The discussion explores her work in deploying biochar systems in Burundi, including the development of clean cooking stoves, and the transformative power of biochar for small-scale farmers. The episode also addresses the challenges of implementing biochar systems in resource-limited regions, the importance of collaboration, and the future potential of biochar on a global scale.

ABOUT THE GUEST

Lucia Brusegan is IBI’s Chair of the Board. For more than 30 years Lucia has been active in the strategic definition and implementation of projects that promote sustainable development of communities, paying attention to the people and the environment in which they live. Since 2007, she’s been active in Africa for the introduction of biochar systems and in carrying out small-scale demonstration projects that translate scientific knowledge into good practices, according to a systemic and circular approach that goes from the identification of waste biomass streams, to the introduction of the appropriate pyrolytic technology and to the production and application of biochar to the soil. She’s also a member of the Board of the Italian biochar association ICHAR.

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In this episode of The Biochar Show, host Meghan K. Lees interviews Luisa Marin De Block, Executive Director of the International Biochar initiative and leader in biochar innovation. They discuss Luisa's journey into environmental work, the science and benefits of biochar, common misconceptions, and the importance of community engagement in sustainability efforts. Luisa shares inspiring success stories from farmers and emphasizes the need for collaboration and trust in implementing biochar solutions. The conversation also touches on the future of biochar as a local solution with global impact.

Luisa Marín has over 25 years of experience in the NGO sector, focusing her career on environmental conservation and sustainable development. She served as Country Director for General Biochar Systems in Mexico, the first industrial-scale biochar production initiative in the country. She worked at The Nature Conservancy and led operations at Conservation International Mexico, where she collaborated on development projects funded by international cooperation. Her career also includes a strong focus on social and community inclusion within environmental projects, ensuring the active participation of local communities. Additionally, she is a member of the Board of Directors of the Latin American Biochar Institute, promoting biochar as a sustainable solution to mitigate climate change. Throughout her career, Luisa has consistently demonstrated a commitment to environmental management, excelling in policy formulation, project management, and stakeholder collaboration to create a global impact.

In this conversation, Meghan K. Lees engages with Pat Sherren and Mike Zock, innovators in the biochar industry, to explore their journeys, the science behind biochar, and its applications in stormwater management and environmental sustainability. They discuss the innovative products developed by Metzler Forest Products, including Char 21, and the collaborative efforts in biochar development. The conversation emphasizes the importance of innovation in addressing environmental challenges and the potential of biochar to make a significant impact across various industries.

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In the latest episode of The Biochar Show, host Meghan K. Lees sits down with Varsha Ramesh Walsh, the CEO and co-founder of Offstream, to discuss how her company is making carbon markets more accessible and efficient for project developers in biomass, biochar, and carbon capture.

Offstream, based in Denver, Colorado, specializes in simplifying the complexities of carbon market compliance, allowing developers to focus on scaling their projects and accelerating cash flow. With a strong background in business development, strategy, and operations, Varsha understands the challenges facing carbon credit projects and has built Offstream to remove the friction in regulatory compliance.

The conversation covers the key obstacles that developers face when entering carbon markets, including the difficulty of navigating compliance frameworks and accessing financial incentives. Varsha explains how Offstream provides tools and expertise to streamline the process, ensuring that project developers can focus on impact rather than bureaucracy.

The discussion also touches on the future of carbon markets and how digital innovation can enhance transparency and efficiency. By reducing administrative burdens, Offstream aims to unlock greater opportunities for sustainable initiatives and make carbon credits a viable revenue stream for more developers.

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In this episode of The Biochar Show, host Megan K. Lees speaks with Raymond Apy, CEO of Northeastern Biochar Solutions, about how innovation is reshaping biosolid disposal. Based in Saratoga Springs, New York, Apy’s company is pioneering a proprietary thermal treatment technology that transforms waste into a sustainable, carbon-rich biochar.

The discussion covers the environmental and economic benefits of biochar, including its role in soil restoration, carbon sequestration, and reducing odors, air emissions, and greenhouse gases. Apy, with over 30 years of experience in engineering, business strategy, and environmental science, shares insights into the science behind biochar production and its growing applications in agriculture, manufacturing, and waste management.

This episode highlights the potential of biochar to turn a waste problem into an ecological solution, making it a must-listen for sustainability advocates, industry professionals, and anyone interested in innovative environmental technologies.

CORRECTION: At 20:36 Ray states that he first met with the leadership of the Town of Moreau in 2000. The actual year was 2020.

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In this episode of The Biochar Show, host Meghan K. Lees interviews Steen Rasmussen of Ikigai Carbon, who discusses the innovative work being done in the field of biochar and sustainability. The conversation covers the mission of Ikigai Carbon, Steen's journey into biochar solutions, the community impact of their projects, and the transformative power of biochar in addressing environmental and socioeconomic challenges. Steen also shares insights on the challenges of scaling biochar solutions, the importance of carbon credits, and the unique aspects of biochar as a sustainable resource.

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Don Harfield, CEO of Charterra, has dedicated his career to promoting sustainable solutions in various sectors, including waste management, oil and gas production, and the pulp and paper industry. With over 40 years of experience as a professional engineer, executive, and researcher, Harfield has made significant contributions to the field of biochar.   

As the technical lead for the Alberta Biochar Initiative, Harfield oversaw the development of two demonstration-scale portable biochar production units. These units showcased the potential of biochar production and its applications in various industries. Through Charterra, Harfield continues to champion environmentally and economically sustainable projects, including collaborations with First Nations and Métis organizations.   

Harfield's expertise lies in creating meaningful impact through enhancing soil health, advancing bioenergy solutions, and working towards a more sustainable future. His dedication to promoting biochar stems from his belief in its potential to address climate change and create a better world for future generations.   

In this podcast interview, Harfield shares his insights on the benefits and applications of biochar, emphasizing its role in tackling climate change and promoting sustainable agriculture. He also discusses the importance of collaboration and knowledge sharing in advancing the biochar movement.   

Welcome to The Biochar Show, where we explore the exciting world of biochar and its potential to revolutionize sustainability!

Join your host, Meghan K. Lees, as she delves into the science, stories, and real-world applications of this amazing material. Discover how biochar can enrich soil health, capture carbon, and contribute to a healthier planet. Whether you're an eco-enthusiast, a farmer, or just curious about sustainable solutions, this show is for you. Subscribe now and be part of the biochar revolution!