By GAIL C.
KECK
B
Y definition, an innovation is a new way of
doing something, but
that doesn’t mean innovations
can’t be built on ancient ideas.
A new grant project in Ohio
will be applying modern technology while expanding on a
soil improvement practice...
More
By GAIL C.
KECK
B
Y definition, an innovation is a new way of
doing something, but
that doesn’t mean innovations
can’t be built on ancient ideas.
A new grant project in Ohio
will be applying modern technology while expanding on a
soil improvement practice used
centuries ago.
Researchers are hoping to
develop a manure management
system that’s economical and
environmentally friendly, as
well as a source of biochar, the
soil amendment that helped
ancient civilizations in the
Amazon basin build their highly
productive Terra preta soils.
The focus of the Ohio project
is water quality, explains Debbie
Reed, executive director of the
International Biochar Initiative.
Processing dairy manure
through a gasifier will convert
the manure into energy, which
can be used on the farm, and
Ancient practice back in use
Key Points
■ Grants fund study of alternative
manure management system.
■ Converting manure to biochar
builds on an ancient practice.
■ Ohio’s Sandland Dairy will be
testing the feas
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