[USCC] Carbon credits

[Steve Diver]

There is a fascinating body of academic literature and world-wide
interest among practitioners to explore the use of charcoal /
bio-char for its ability to increase black carbon in soils which
forms stable complexes with humus, increases cation exchange
capacity and nutrient retention... ultimately increasing carbon
sequestration in soils. 

Look for "Amazonian dark earth", "terra preta", and "bio-char".

Amazonian indians figured this out as far back as 2,500 years
before the arrival of Spanish explorers.  These soils are still
fertile and productive today.   

One paper explained black carbon from charcoal is stable in
soils for 6,000 years.

Researchers could try amending compost with various kinds of
bio-char at different rates and monitor compost qualtiy and its
influence on soil carbon.  

Clay-amended compost amended is the other way to increase
soil carbon. 

Pat Herbert, the organic farmer from Hollister, CA, was at the
Acres USA conference last week. He's raised the percent OM
on his soil test from .9 to 4.1% using clay-amended compost.
The Rodale Institute also presented data on clay-amended compost
at the Acres USA conference. 

Steve Diver
NCAT-ATTRA