Bio-char workshop

Join Rising Locust Farm and bio-char guru, Gary Gilmore, as we explore the benefits of bio-char (charcoal used for soil fertility) and the different methods of how to produce it.

There are many different ways to make charcoal and several of these methods will be shown. One of the easiest is the double barrel chimney kiln that requires very little metal working and is simple to run.

Also covered will be a stove that can turn wood into charcoal and allow the heat to be used for cooking. Charcoal is an amazing product with a wide variety of uses. Come learn and share in making, understanding and using this valuable material from the woods.

Registration is restricted to 15 participants. Please RSVP by sending an e-mail to risinglocustfarm@gmail.com with the subject, “bio-char workshop”.

$10-50 sliding scale. Pay what you can.

Gary Gilmore is a forester in the State of Pennsylvania His interest in charcoal over the past 20 years has led him to experiment with this product in many different venues. With an eye to small scale systems that can be sustained, he has explored and uses charcoal in ways that can help society mitigate some of the problems facing us. He utilizes wood from his tree farm as the raw material for making charcoal. The charcoal is then used as a fuel or soil amendment. As a fuel it is used for cooking, heating iron in a forge, melting metal in a furnace, powering an engine or for cooking. As a soil amendment, it is used as biochar for increasing soil tilth and health while providing long term sequestration of carbon from the atmosphere. This biochar is also used to purify water, reduce stable odors, run a waterless commode and urinal and prevent fruits and vegetables from rotting in storage.

Items to bring:
bagged lunch and snacks
water bottle
notebook and writing utensil
camera (optional)
boots
farm appropriate attire
sunscreen (optional)

Rising Locust Farm
1339 Creek rd.
Manheim, PA 17545

Registration is restricted to 15 participants. Please RSVP by sending an e-mail to risinglocustfarm@gmail.com with the subject, “bio-char workshop”.