Norman and Peggy Baker – Northstar Nurseries Biochar
We have been environmentalists our entire adult lives. Even though Norm is trained as a pesticide toting entomologist and ecologist (MS and PhD), our transition to permaculture, environmental sustainability and organic gardening began many years ago when we created Northstar Nurseries, Inc. When we retired to the Olympic Peninsula 16 years ago, we discovered biochar and started doing real world experiments to see if all the promises were indeed true. The short story is that biochar offers enormous contributions to permaculture, restoration and improvement of our soils, carbon sequestration and global warming solutions for our crops, our animals, our and personal lives.
3789 Lost Mountain Road
Sequim, WA 98382
United States
Workshop(s)
Workshop 1: Biochar Case Study. A Permaculture Look at a Minor Miracle.
This PowerPoint presentation showed the results of real world experiments for the role of biochar, mineral balancing and domestic animals in producing food of exceptional nutritional quality. Our goal was to mimic mother nature and fit into normal ecosystem functioning without pollution or waste. We are close to achieving a truly sustainable, environmentally sensitive, zero food-waste system for the homeowner and small organic entrepreneurial grower. Extensive handouts will be available for the dedicated permaculturist.
Workshop 2: Making quality biochar for the permaculturist. Do-it-yourself production technologies.
We will discuss and show state of the art, affordable, do-it-yourself technologies for making quality biochar for soil incorporation, animal bedding, and carbon sequestration for the permaculturist, environmentalist, and entrepreneurial organic food grower. This will include retorts, TLUDs (Top-Lit-UpDraft gasifiers), and flame cap kilns. Examples will be shown and demonstrated and biochar will be created on-site for attendees to take home a sample.
