Letter from the Director of Agricultural Markets

Hello USBI community,

I’m Dr. Tera Lewandowski, and I’m thrilled to join the US Biochar Initiative as your Director of Agricultural Markets.

My roots are in forestry; I earned my PhD in Forestry from the University of Wisconsin–Madison in 2015. I’ve since translated those forestry insights into industry practice, most recently at Scotts Miracle-Gro, where I evaluated regional waste materials and repurposed them as key components in specialized soil blends for consumer gardens and potted plants. Now, I’m here to champion biochar’s agricultural potential: boosting soil health, locking up carbon, and turning biomass into a powerful resource.

I am focused on expanding biochar’s reach across key agricultural markets: in-ground soil amendments, horticultural media, fertilizer blends, and compost systems. While demand for healthier soils and regenerative agricultural solutions is growing, three strategic priorities must be addressed to accelerate adoption. First, we need to introduce biochar to new audiences and raise awareness of its unique benefits and the business case supporting implementation. Second, we must equip stakeholders with practical knowledge and guidance for successful field applications—ensuring biochar is not only understood but effectively used. Third, we must establish dependable regional supply chains to ensure farmers and landscapers have access to consistent, high-quality biochar products that meet their needs at a reasonable cost.

Over the coming months, my immediate priorities will include hosting USBI’s first Train-The-Trainer session in California to equip cooperative extension agents and conservation professionals with the tools they need to teach stakeholders about biochar. I will also be forging partnerships with leaders in the regenerative agriculture space, from research institutions to boots-in-the-dirt nonprofits. These collaborations will focus on identifying win-win opportunities to introduce biochar to new audiences—leveraging existing regenerative agriculture markets to expand our reach and amplify impact.

Looking further ahead, my vision is to build a resilient biochar market ecosystem—one that positions biochar not as a standalone commodity, but as a practical tool embedded within broader soil health and agricultural productivity strategies. By aligning biochar with the real-world challenges growers face, we can drive meaningful adoption and deliver lasting environmental and economic benefits

Let’s connect and collaborate! I welcome your ideas, questions, and partnership opportunities. You can connect with me on LinkedIn. I look forward to working together to grow biochar’s role in agriculture.

Tera Lewandowski, PhD.
Director of Agricultural Markets