Join us for part 2 of the Women in Biochar conversation series by Abby Crisp of UC Berkeley.
--
Working with the team at the USBI, we put together another round of interviews to spotlight the incredible women driving the biochar industry forward. This initiative is rooted in raising awareness about biochar and honoring the significant contributions of these women. Born from our shared excitement and a personal commitment to support the USBI's mission, these interviews aim to connect more people with the transformative world of biochar through the stories of these inspiring women.
In this series, I had the privilege of holding conversations with:
- Debbie S. Page-Dumroese, Ph.D., a Research Soil Scientist with the US Forest Service, and key developer on the CharBoss mobile air curtain burner
- Isabel Lima, Ph.D., a Research Scientist at the USDA and a Board member of the US Biochar Initiative
- Jodi Formosi, the CEO and Founder of Bella Biochar Corporation
- Laurie Mann, an entrepreneur and owner of Plant Growth Management Systems and the American BioChar Company
Deborah S. Page-Dumroese Ph.D., Reseaerch Soil Scientist, US Forest Service
Abby: Could you tell us about your journey into soil science and what inspired you to focus on biochar and soil productivity?
Debbie: So, during my master's work at the University of Michigan, my research took me to Northern Idaho to examine the effects of logging practices on soil productivity and how tree growth related to organic matter. Then, for my Ph.D., I delved deeper into the connection between organic matter, productivity, and below-ground processes like ectomycorrhizal fungi and nutrient turnover. Throughout my career, I've focused on linking harvest impacts to soil productivity and changes in the soil.
One of my projects involved developing a standardized protocol for National Forests to use for soil monitoring. This allowed us to look at post-harvest disturbance effects and relate them to harvest practices, assessing whether a silvicultural practice was beneficial for the soil. We questioned if it left the soil in a state conducive to growing the next stand or if there was so much disturbance that we needed to reconsider the silvicultural prescription or site preparation activities to ensure long-term productivity.
My entire career has centered around understanding the impacts of harvesting on soil. However, a pivotal moment was realizing that every harvest, whether through thinning, salvage logging, or clear-cutting, resulted in slash piles. It was impossible not to see these piles and wonder if there was a better way than just reducing them to ash and smoke. This led me to explore alternative methods of dealing with slash piles, methods that wouldn't harm the soil or leave lasting burn scars. It was around this time that biochar came into the picture as a potential use for the slash, opening up avenues for both soil enhancement and reduced air pollution. The common practice of burning slash piles, with its numerous adverse effects, really highlighted the need for change.
Abby: You've played a pivotal role in the North American Long-Term Productivity Study, with installations that are nearing two decades. What have been the most surprising or impactful findings from this study so far, and how do you envision its future direction?
Debbie: Sure, I'll give you the condensed version of why we're doing this study. It all started with the National Forest Management Act of 1976, which emphasized maintaining the long-term productivity of sites and avoiding permanent soil impairment from logging operations. At that time, there were no soil quality standards or monitoring in national forests. This lack of monitoring led to several lawsuits against the Forest Service for not proving the maintenance of soil productivity. So, the Forest Service and research teams developed this long-term study.
The study has a uniform experimental design across the U.S. on forested sites. It examines three levels of soil compaction—none, moderate, and severe—and three levels of organic matter removal: bole-only harvesting, whole tree harvesting, and whole tree harvesting with the removal of the forest floor. The plots are one acre each, large enough to show significant results. After harvesting, the plots were replanted, and soil treatments were applied.
Now, nearly three decades later, we've learned that the impact of compaction varies with soil texture. Compaction can increase productivity in sandy soils by improving moisture retention, while it has detrimental effects on clay soils. Interestingly, we thought compaction would recover quickly in the northern states, but deep soil compaction has persisted for decades without recovery.
The key takeaway is the importance of understanding soil texture and preserving the surface organic horizons, regardless of the soil type. This approach helps maintain carbon storage, nutrient cycling, and water retention, and mitigates compaction effects. These findings have been consistent across various sites, highlighting their significance in forest management.
Abby: I noticed on your page that you have a research interest in the environmental consequences of biomass utilization and biochar additions. Could you speak about your research or interest in this area?
Debbie: Absolutely. One aspect we've been considering is the sustainability of removing biomass from sites that are overstocked, dead, or have been affected by wildfires, leaving too much wood on the ground. The question is, can we remove this sustainably and, through the production of biochar, retain some of that carbon on site? While selling biochar is an option, I believe it's crucial to keep part of what we create on site to maintain carbon levels and help build soil organic matter. This approach helps maintain the stand, whether it's been affected by harvesting, wildfire, or thinning operations, ensuring we maintain productivity. Biochar aids in water holding capacity and nutrient retention, which are vital for the health and growth of the subsequent stand.
The link I've made between my previous work on forest harvest operations, soil health, and the role of biochar is significant. It's all connected—optimizing biomass removal to benefit forest operations while considering the economic impracticality of transporting biomass to a bioenergy refinery. Where feasible, using biochar production on site is the most economical choice.
Additionally, after harvesting, a stand becomes warmer and drier, accelerating organic matter decomposition. Adding biochar can help rebuild organic matter, crucial in the West where climate change leads to long summer droughts. By retaining moisture in the soil, biochar can extend the understory's growing season by several weeks, reducing wildfire risk. So, this biochar piece is intricately connected to various environmental and operational considerations.
Abby: Debbie, your work on the CharBoss mobile air curtain burner and the biochar spreader, alongside Keith Windell and Dr. Nate Anderson, marks a major leap in biochar technology and forest health. These innovations not only turn biomass waste into valuable biochar but also promise to revolutionize its large-scale distribution. Could you discuss how these technologies work together to enhance biochar application and forest health on a broad scale?
Debbie: Yeah, we developed the biochar spreader first because we didn't have a reliable method for distributing biochar. At the time, without the Char Boss, we thought people would be interested in taking biochar from fixed energy plants, where you can accumulate a large quantity of biochar. We were trying to figure out an efficient way to move biochar around a forest site, since up until then, we were using 5-gallon buckets.
So, we collaborated with technology experts in Missoula to find an effective solution. We ended up using a log forwarder to pull what is essentially a modified salt spreader. This setup works well on slopes and, in thinning projects, can navigate the site to spread biochar without compacting the soil significantly. We observed no increase in compaction and found that on slopes up to about 35%, biochar integrates into the surface organic matter without causing erosion, which was a concern.
However, this method hasn't become widely adopted yet. We believe the issue is scaling; we've mostly applied biochar at log landings, mixing it into the mineral soil as these areas are decompacted. We hope to move towards larger-scale applications in the future.
The Char Boss is a different story. My colleague, Jim Archuleta, a soil scientist in Oregon, was the brains behind it—I mainly assisted with the paperwork. We approached Air Burners Incorporated with our idea, and in 2020, we had a prototype tested in Oregon and Florida. The initial production rate was slow, so after evaluating the equipment for wear and tear, the company redesigned it to increase production significantly. Now, I've been demonstrating these new models, creating biochar for testing. We're exploring how much biochar can be produced based on the type and moisture content of the feedstock, along with the logistics involved. We've also conducted a life cycle analysis and extensive emissions testing.
Abby: Can you discuss the overall benefits of repurposing waste?
Debbie: Absolutely. The material that ends up in slash piles is often deemed unusable. However, if there were a bioenergy facility within 50 miles of these piles, this material could be transformed into bioenergy, potentially yielding biochar as a byproduct. But frequently, slash piles are too far from a bioenergy facility to justify the transportation cost. So, what's the alternative? Usually, the simplest solution is to burn these piles when conditions permit, sending a crew to ignite and later extinguish them. This method, however, does not produce biochar.
To create biochar, burning the piles differently or using technologies like char bosses or mobile kilns can be effective. These tools are especially useful in urban parks, campgrounds, and even national forests needing rehabilitation or diversity through pollinator habitats.
Some national forests employ conservation or AmeriCorps crews to clear debris along roadsides, converting waste into biochar in small kilns or through controlled burns, leaving the biochar on-site. This approach has shown to reduce invasive species at certain sites, allowing native plants to thrive, which in turn supports a more diverse ecosystem of birds, bees, insects, and bats.
The versatility of biochar and its impact on both public and private lands is astonishing. On our small acreage outside of town, we convert woody debris from wind or ice storms into biochar for our garden. The results, especially for our beans, have been remarkable. It's a learning journey, realizing the depth of what you don't know and the broad applications and benefits of biochar.
Abby: Your research involves collaboration with various stakeholders, including research stations, national forest systems, and industry partners. How important is this collaborative approach to advancing biochar research and application, and what lessons have you learned from these partnerships?
Debbie: Well, our collaboration with the Technology Center was quite unexpected for them. They were intrigued when we approached them with the idea of spreading biochar on forest sites and asked, "How do we do it?" This led us down a path of considering whether the biochar needed to be pelletized or if bulk biochar could be used. Working with their team of engineers was fascinating as we tackled the challenge of designing a biochar spreader from scratch. They ingeniously suggested modifying a salt spreader to withstand the rigors of the forest, adding an extra cage for protection and installing cameras to monitor the biochar supply.
I also can't speak highly enough of the folks at Air Burners Incorporated. They've been incredibly supportive of the idea of making biochar efficiently. They adapted an existing piece of equipment, the Burn Boss, to create the Char Boss, which allows for continuous biochar production. They've been very open to our suggestions, willing to try new things, and they've provided invaluable support in the field, offering tips and guidance on the best practices for biochar production.
These industry connections, which I hadn't initially considered vital, have turned out to be crucial in pushing the biochar initiative forward and reaching a broader audience. The collaboration has been instrumental in advancing biochar research and application, teaching us the importance of flexibility, innovation, and the value of diverse expertise in our field.
Abby: For women interested in pursuing a career in environmental science, specifically focusing on biochar and soil productivity, what advice would you give them based on your experiences?
Debbie: Let's see, I would say there are two things that have really helped me. First, I've had mentors who have been extraordinarily helpful and supportive. They're people I can trust, and having that support has enhanced my research and kept me progressing, always encouraging me to explore new ideas. So, having a good mentor is crucial.
Second, building collaborations wherever possible has been key. For me, this has involved linking national forests with research, as well as working with universities and industry professionals. It's about finding those who can help you achieve your goals in the best way possible. Everyone brings their own experiences to the table, and building those collaborations really helps strengthen a research project. It ensures that the burden isn't all on your shoulders.
These two approaches have profoundly impacted how I've navigated my career, and looking back, it's been quite remarkable.
Abby: In your role and experiences within the biochar industry, how do you actively foster gender equity and cultivate an inclusive community, particularly encouraging the participation and leadership of women in this field?
Debbie: Most of my approach to mentorship involves allowing individuals to take the lead on their interests and encouraging them to assume leadership roles. This might mean giving them the chance to present at field tours or guiding them through the process of data analysis, asking if they're interested and suggesting they examine some data to see what insights they can glean. Essentially, it's about recognizing what people are passionate about and, wherever possible, assisting them in taking active steps to develop those interests into skills.
For example, I might suggest considering a master's degree in their field of interest or exploring career paths like becoming a soil scientist on a National Forest. The goal is to guide them toward realizing their potential and achieving their ambitions.
These mentoring moments often happen in casual settings, whether we're out in the field or working in the lab. It's about initiating conversations, discovering what someone is keen on, and then offering support and opportunities for them to take on more responsibility or leadership. Recognizing and nurturing someone's interests, then providing them with the means to grow, is at the heart of effective mentorship.
Abby: What is it like working in the Forest Service? And I'm curious about the structure, especially for researchers. It seems a bit like a black box to me. How does one advance in their career there?
Debbie: Working in the Forest Service, especially within the research branch, is quite unique. When I was hired, it was still possible for Forest Service scientists to have just master's degrees. Nowadays, you essentially need a PhD to become a research scientist. However, there are still positions for professionals with master's degrees who play crucial roles in supporting scientists, like fieldwork. I can't praise my technician, who runs the soils lab and holds a master's degree, enough. She's vital to my research, highlighting one career path as a professional.
Regarding temporary positions, the Forest Service offers summer help, which is another entry point into research. The structure in research differs significantly from that in national forests. Once you're on board as a scientist, your career is largely in your hands. You pursue what you believe will be the most fruitful paths. Every three to four years, a peer panel reviews your work. Based on their evaluation, you might be promoted or remain at your current grade if you're performing well or if it's determined you're operating beyond your current pay grade, then a promotion to a new level is in order.
Abby: Is there anything I didn’t ask that you’d like to add?
Debbie: What I'd really like to emphasize is the incredible journey my career has been. I've had the privilege of working with some amazing individuals. Adding to that, delving into the world of biochar, with colleagues both male and female, has been a profound learning experience for me. When I began this endeavor 15 years ago, I knew practically nothing about biochar.
We started with pressing questions from the forest community about the usage of biochar—how much to add, its safety, and production methods. This curiosity led us on a remarkable exploration of applying biochar in forestry settings, a departure from the predominantly agricultural focus of existing research at the time. It's been rewarding to offer land managers concrete advice on producing biochar, applying it effectively, and utilizing it for various environmental enhancements, from creating pollinator habitats to mine site restoration or reducing hazardous fuels.
Indeed, the versatility of biochar and its multitude of applications in forest lands have made this journey incredibly fulfilling, helping to address a broad spectrum of needs in forestry management.
Conversation with Isabel Lima Ph.D., USDA Research Scientist and US Biochar Initiative Board member
Abby: Could you share with us a bit about your professional journey and what sparked your interest in biochar?
Isabel: My biochar journey began in 2000 when I was hired as a research chemist. I was tasked with identifying value-added technologies for agricultural waste utilization as alternatives to disposal.
My supervisor was converting plant-based residues like soybean hulls and nut shells into activated carbons, a precursor to biochar, and using them as adsorbent materials.
At that time, the animal farming agricultural community, including those associated with confined animal feeding operations, and other groups involved with manure handling and disposal, were reaching out to the research community to identify alternative technologies to the manure disposal. Recognizing this need, a position was created specifically to address it, leading to my hiring.
I took on this role and the task was both exciting due to its potential novelty as well as daunting; manure is a challenging material, initially wet and of varying and inconsistent composition, requiring drying and careful handling. Despite these obstacles, I ventured into uncharted territory by thermos-chemically converting manure into biochar, as far as I know it was a novel approach at the time.
Our experiments were driven by curiosity and the goal of making biochar not only effective but also economical. The aim was to explore its viability in markets not currently served by existing products, particularly the high-end activated carbon market used predominantly for purifying drinking water.
The activated carbon market is specialized, high-end, and costly, primarily serving the drinking water sector amongst other applications, by removing organic compounds to improve taste, despite the water being potable. In contrast, the wastewater sector deals with contaminants like heavy metals, and a series of other less common pollutants, posing health risks and requiring removal prior to disposal. This stark difference between drinking water and wastewater standards led me to focus on addressing the challenges in the wastewater market.
So I focused on the wastewater market, recognizing its distinct needs and potential for biochar application. Over the years, in a laboratory setting, I developed and produced small amounts of hundreds of biochar variants. They were made from different animal manures, including those from dairy, broiler chickens, turkeys, and swine and at varying pyrolysis conditions. My aim was scalability. And on a lighter note, I became so familiar with manure that I can now tell the animal source with just one whiff—a bizarre party trick, but incredibly useful in my line of work! It was very exciting because it was investigative in nature, it was all new and also very challenging.
So to give an overview, my journey into biochar started by tackling agricultural disposal issues, especially in manure management. This path led me through a discovery and understanding of the circular nature of agriculture waste materials where a waste product is used to clean up a waste problem, therefore adding value to that waste. I became intrigued by biochar's capacity to address these disposal challenges and its exceptional properties, particularly its effectiveness in removing heavy metals from wastewater, surpassing commercially activated carbons. This exploration revealed biochar's significant potential in waste management and environmental remediation, even in the absence of a competitively priced market.
*Note: Activated carbon and biochar are similar in that both are derived from carbon rich materials that undergo carbonization. The key difference lies in their source and activation process. Activated carbon, often made from coal, undergoes carbonization followed by steam or chemical activation to significantly enhance porosity and surface functionality. Biochar, on the other hand, is produced from biological materials (from both agricultural and forestry residues) and doesn't necessarily undergo activation. It is less porous but its surface functionality, in part, comes naturally from its feedstock. Its distinction from activated carbon primarily revolves around its non-fossil fuel origin, and associated sustainability.
Abby: Could you discuss your research involving the manufacturing, production, and characterization of biochar, as well as its application in the remediation of heavy metals and field use?
Isabel: The first 10 to 12 years at the Southern Regional Research Center in New Orleans, Louisiana, encompassed creating, developing, characterizing and extensively studying biochars from animal manures. This involved experimenting with a variety of feedstocks, pyrolysis temperatures and residence times, as well as both pre-treatment and post-treatment processes. My goal was to thoroughly understand how these variables influence the final properties of the biochar.
As research priorities shifted about 10 years ago, my efforts switched to sugar crop residues as a feedstock for biochar production, particularly sugarcane bagasse and leafy field residue from sugarcane and sweet sorghum, and sugar beet pulp from sugar beets. Located just an hour away from sugarcane fields, I'm in one of the two major states in the US where sugarcane thrives so their waste products have been my focus for biochar production. This time I looked into applying the biochars from the sugar crop residues back to the field as soil amendment.
I was surprised to see large amounts of underutilized surplus bagasse outside every one of the 11 sugar mills in Louisiana, so the need was there again to find solutions to a waste disposal problem. Solutions to its utilization require economic feasibility.
Understanding that the biochar efforts were also towards field application, was a straightforward option to determine if they would increase crop yields for sugarcane for the benefit of the farmer.
Abby: What was the result of that specific sugarcane study?
Isabel: We got good results in terms of increased yields over time with a single application of biochar as compared to a no biochar control.
The take home message from the four year study was that it is possible to do a single application of biochar at planting and extend the planting cycle, which translates into savings for the farmer. Other larger field studies have confirmed that, in general, we see positive results in terms of increased sugarcane yields from biochar application.
Abby: That’s really exciting, I remember seeing part of your talk on the sugarcane study and it struck me just how extensive these studies have to be, given the lengthy growing cycles of certain crops.
Isabel: Yes, single year studies do not show the true picture of biochar potential over time. Multiple year studies are challenging, and when researchers are pressured to publish results, they cannot afford to wait for additional years. That does not allow one to understand the persistency of biochar in the soil and the benefits that can come out of it
Abby: Looking ahead, what are the next big questions or challenges that you aim to address in your research?
Isabel: My research priorities will continue with a focus on sugar crops, and therefore developing biochars from the byproducts of that industry. Having prior experience in developing biochars with adsorbent properties, I am now quite interested in the new challenges that lay ahead including addressing new pollutants (e.g. PFAs). This requires a deep understanding of the chemistry of these pollutants in order to know how to design the biochar so that it contains the right surface structure and chemical functionality to effectively adsorb them, which is not a guarantee, so it is a challenging undertaking. Biochar characteristics for soil amendment applications can be quite different. Biochar needs to cause no harm first and foremost and preferably benefit soil structure, water retention and plant growth and performance. Biochar also is known to increase the carbon content of the soil. Other exciting propositions in biochar research include identifying new uses for biochar either on its own or as an ingredient with other materials as a blend to create something new. There are new uses of biochar now that nobody heard about 10 years ago, or even five years ago, and that's exciting. The benefits are there also when biochar replaces fossil fuel derived materials. It's always about thinking, what are the characteristics of biochar that make it a good material for use in so and so? That's the challenge: to come up with new ideas.
Abby: As a board member of the US Biochar Initiative, what are your main goals or priorities for the organization, and how do you see your research contributing to these goals?
Isabel: Sure! My journey with the US Biochar Initiative (USBI) began with a deep dive into biochar characterization and testing and identifying biochar testing laboratories. It seemed well suited as I've been analyzing biochar even before we fully understood what needed analyzing. I aimed to explore the standard analytical methods for biochar, which had been established by IBI about a decade ago. As the biochar industry grew, biochars needed testing and characterizing. Furthermore, there was a lack of biochar understanding and awareness by the laboratories. This was crucial because, being a relatively new concept, biochar wasn't something many labs were equipped to handle, whether they specialized in soil, compost, wastewater, or something else.
My role initially involved surveying labs to identify those capable of conducting biochar analysis in line with the International Biochar Initiative (IBI) standards. A few were identified that also conducted partial analysis. This situation highlighted the need for specific, updated standards for biochar characterization within the industry and at USBI.
Today, we have a much better understanding of biochar, including its wider range of applications compared to ten years ago. The question now is how to truly define biochar: Is it by its feedstock, processing conditions, and/or characteristics, or by its end use? My work with USBI, given my scientific approach to biochar characterization, involves determining which analytical methods are essential and reliable, identifying capable labs, and eventually moving towards a certification program for biochar analysis. But first, we need to agree on what biochar analysis entails.
These tasks are among the main goals and priorities for USBI, and I'm involved in various aspects of the initiative. My contribution has always been heavily research-focused, aiming to advance our understanding of which biochar properties are important.
Abby: For women interested in pursuing a career in research or biochar, what advice would you give them based on your experiences?
Isabel: I'd tell anyone entering science not to be daunted by the fact that it's still largely male-dominated. I've been to plenty of conferences where women are noticeably in the minority, sometimes making up less than 5% or 10% of attendees. But that never held me back. I believe women in biochar careers, or any STEM field for that matter, have so much to offer because of their unique perspectives and contributions. Having a more balanced workforce, even in research, would be beneficial.
So, my advice? Don't let the sight of more men than women in your field intimidate you. Instead, see it as an opportunity. Reflecting on my own journey, when I was in high school trying to pick a career path, I took one of those aptitude tests which suggested mechanical engineering for me. That was a while back, and at the time, there were very few women in mechanical engineering. Although I didn't pursue it and chose a slightly more balanced engineering field, I've seen the landscape change. The gap isn't as wide as it was about 30 years ago. I believe turning challenges into opportunities is key, and women can significantly enrich the workforce. Diversity, whether in terms of race or gender, fosters better idea exchange, different perspectives, and more effective progress in work, and this is just as true in research.
For women facing adversity, stay strong and true to your principles. Research is gender-neutral; it doesn't matter if you're a man or a woman, or what your race is. A diverse team often performs much better, bringing varied viewpoints that can lead to groundbreaking discoveries and advancements.
Abby: In your role and experiences within academia, how would you actively foster gender equity and cultivate an inclusive community?
Isabel: If you find people interested in your field, definitely take the time to mentor and encourage them. Mentorship is a fantastic opportunity that benefits both the mentor and the mentee. A lot of the inspiration for pursuing a career can start at home, even with your own children. For instance, being in a male-dominated field like research, especially in science, always felt natural to me. My parents taught math and physics in high school, so I was raised and surrounded by science. I loved math, chemistry, and physics without ever thinking, "Oh wait, but I'm a woman; I'm not supposed to like these things." For me, it was always just a part of who I am. However, I recognize I was privileged in that regard.
Reflecting on this, I believe strongly in the value of mentorship from a young age, particularly for encouraging girls to pursue STEM careers. There's a significant need for more women in STEM fields, including biochar research. The shortage of women in these areas could partly be due to a lack of support and encouragement early on. So, if you're passionate about a STEM area, find a good mentor and encourage women to follow their interests. That's how I would approach it.
Abby: Who have been your role models or inspirations in your professional journey?
Isabel: I'd definitely say my parents are my role models because they always encouraged me, and I was lucky to grow up in a science-oriented family. But besides them, I’ve been privileged to meet several highly accomplished scientists whom I’ve got to know and interact with who happen to be women. This is also true in the biochar world, where I have met amazing women, well accomplished and successful. I’ve known them both professionally and personally, and they've been a huge inspiration to me. They manage to excel in their fields while also being mothers and handling all the other responsibilities that come after work. So, yes, I do have several women who inspire me, especially because they've succeeded in a field where women aren't as common, all while juggling everything else life throws their way.
I’ve also observed how women more often miss work to tend to family needs, in turn sacrificing their career growth. Often, they work extra hours to make up the lost time and do this balancing act between having a career and being a mother. That's something I admire and strive to emulate, especially as a role model for my daughter.
Like I mentioned, my parents and a few colleagues have always been my greatest role models. Now, having kids of my own, especially a daughter who's aspiring to become a medical doctor, I realize the impact of being a role model for her. Both my kids are in STEM fields, which is fantastic. I believe in leading by example. My daughter sees the effort I put into my work and notices that I'm engaging in tasks typically associated with men, which is wonderful. This visibility has naturally drawn her into a STEM field. It's been a logical path for her, without any need for second-guessing if it's the right fit. She sees it as an exciting and viable option for herself, just by observing my journey.
Abby: What do you think are critical steps for gender inclusion?
Isabel: One of the critical steps for fostering gender inclusion is actively bringing women into your team. It's not just about increasing numbers; it's about valuing diverse perspectives and skills that women bring to the table. Recognizing and leveraging the unique strengths of women can significantly enhance the team's performance and innovation.
Additionally, it's crucial to be understanding and supportive of women who have families. This means being flexible and empathetic towards their needs and challenges. Work-life balance can be particularly tricky for women with caregiving responsibilities, and an inclusive environment is one that acknowledges this reality. By accommodating and adapting to their circumstances, you help create a workplace where everyone, regardless of gender, can thrive. It's about identifying their strengths and being patient and supportive when situations get complicated.
Conversation with Jodi Formosi, the CEO and Founder of Bella Biochar Corporation
Abby: Could you share with us a bit about your professional journey and what motivated you to venture into the biochar industry?
Jodi Formosi: Working as an environmental consultant in the waste solution industry, I became acutely aware of the significant amounts of clean waste wood that were adding to the already substantial environmental pressure on landfills. Additionally, forest debris was either being burned in slash piles in logging areas or simply left to decay, which not only released CO2 but also increased the spread of disease and forest fires. Marrying this understanding with a sustainable commitment to the bio-economy and to Mother Earth, we formed Bella Biochar Corporation to manufacture premium quality, certified organic biochar. The Bella Team takes pride in our brand, which represents a nature-based, natural carbon solution.
Abby: Bella Biochar is one of the first Canadian and female-founded companies to achieve PURO.earth Carbon Dioxide Removal Certification. What does this certification mean for your company?
Jodi Formosi: The certification was a pivotal moment for the company and validated for us that all of the time and research and development that we had undertaken was meritorious. Our motivation was further exhilarated when we also became one of the leading tokenized, fractionalized carbon credits sold through a registry when Thallo built a Blockchain Bridge with PURO.earth.
Abby: Jodi, being a member of NSERC through a Collaborative Industry Partnership with UWO, as well as your involvement with the Carbon Business Council, the International Biochar Initiative, the UN Biodiversity Credit Alliance, and Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters, represents a significant commitment to collaboration and sustainability. How do these partnerships enhance Bella Biochar's mission and impact?
Jodi Formosi:All of the above mentioned partnerships have played an instrumental role in Bella Biochar’s successful evolution. Our NSERC Collaborative Industry Partnership with Dr. Franco Berruti’s Team, expertise and laboratory testing at the University of Western Ontario proved crucial in directing our Feedstock Intake Protocols, in identifying Bella Biochar as having a highly stable carbon content, as superior in adsorption compared to Activated Carbon and most importantly in determining the permanence of Bella Biochar’s Carbon Dioxide Sequestration to be at least 1000 years as per a calculated H/C: Molar Ratio of .17. Another key advisor for whom I am also most grateful and that directly resulted from this collaboration is Dr. George Lazarovits, former UN Soil Specialist and recently retired Director of Research for A&L Laboratories. Both of these gentlemen helped build Bella Biochar’s scientifically supported foundation.
Tom Miles and his team at the International Biochar Initiative also worked tirelessly to help directly support, educate and promote the incredible work that all biochar producers are doing. I am very grateful that whenever I have a query Tom is always there to help.
Bella’s affiliation with both the Carbon Business Council and the UN BCA has provided me the opportunity to meet with numerous global climate leaders who have enriched my understanding of the environment and the crucial role that biochar can play. I have also been fortunate enough to contribute to significant publications as a result of my journey.
Abby: As one of the first female-founded corporations in this space, what were some of the challenges you faced, and how did you overcome them?
Jodi: As the Founder and CEO of Bella Biochar Corporation, the most accurate depiction of my manufacturing experience is “baptism by fire”. As a female, without a mechanical background, in an industry that is typically male oriented, I was catapulted into a steep learning curve trajectory. Furthermore, the challenge of not only being the first “Ontario Made”, Canadian commercial scale manufacturer of organically certified, premium quality biochar, but also maneuvering all of those pioneering challenges through a pandemic, is a testament to the resilience of the incredible Bella Biochar Team.
Together, we have managed to tackle every hurdle imaginable and unimaginable, from design errors, mechanical failures, weather constraints, feedstock shortages, feedstock overages, fires, delivery setbacks, financial challenges and personal struggles for team members, including Covid and other severe health and family issues.
Despite all of that, the Bella Biochar Team has risen to every challenge and succeeded in overcoming our setbacks using ingenuity and resourcefulness. For instance, when we were still pre-revenue and at a crucial point in our R&D, the axle of our very used tractor trailer collapsed. So I made a deal with a very kind and compassionate local scrap dealer to trade all of our metal scrap for life in return for a replacement. At Bella Biochar, we don't "Bootstrap" we "Brastrap".
Abby: What advice would you offer to aspiring entrepreneurs, especially women, who want to make a difference in the environmental sector?
Jodi: If I could give any advice to aspiring entrepreneurs, especially women who are passionate about making a difference in the environmental sector, it would be this: You're going to meet people who are stuck in their ways, particularly when it comes to topics like waste management. They might not get what you're trying to do right away. Some may even try to discourage you, not out of malice, but simply because they don't understand or they're resistant to change.
Stay focused on the importance of your work and the impact you will have despite how many people try to discourage you based on their lack of understanding and/or unwillingness to change. The work you're doing is important, and the impact you're going to make is real. Stay focused, stay driven, and remember why you started this journey in the first place. It's all about making a positive change in the world, and that's exactly what you're set to do. Trust me, the satisfaction of contributing to environmental solutions far outweighs the challenges you'll face along the way. Keep pushing, and don't let anyone's outdated beliefs dim your shine.
Abby: In your role and experiences within the biochar industry, how do you actively foster gender equity and cultivate an inclusive community?
Jodi: In my work with biochar, I really focus on making sure everyone feels included and valued, kind of like building a team where everyone plays fair and respects each other. I think it's super important to see what people bring to the table, not just based on if they're male or female or anything else, but on what they can actually do. So, I'm all about creating a vibe where everyone, no matter their gender, feels like they can do their thing and be proud of it. This approach doesn't just make our workspace better; it also helps us come up with new ideas and move forward in the biochar world. It's about making sure we're not just doing good work, but also being good to each other while we do it.
Abby: What do you think are critical steps for gender inclusion?
Jodi Formosi: Making sure that basic human rights are followed and that everyone is treated equally despite sex, race or religion.
Abby: Is there anything I didn’t ask that you’d like to add?
Jodi: Thank you very much for taking the time and an interest in supporting Bella Biochar Corporation.
Conversation with Laurie Mann, an entrepreneur and owner of Plant Growth Management Systems and the American BioChar Company
Abby: Could you share with us a bit about your professional journey and what motivated you to venture into the biochar industry?
Laurie: So, I spent nearly 15 years teaching chemistry and biology. I've always had a passion for mycology, you know, the study of mushrooms, as well as gardening and foraging. It's been a constant fascination for me. And speaking of constants, Mark—my business partner and also my husband of 40 years this year—and I both attended Purdue University. He majored in forest management with a minor in agronomy, while I pursued biology and eventually went into teaching. I've taught not just biology, but also chemistry and physics. We've always enjoyed our walks in the woods together, him looking up at the trees and me inspecting the ferns below.
Fast forward, and we’ve founded a company called Plant Growth Management Systems, and it's been up and running for 25 years now. At PGMS we are consultants for municipals and utilities on how to maintain trees around electric lines according to what is known as an ANSI standard. The ANSI standards ensure that trees are managed in a way that prevents them from simply being removed under electric lines and similar situations. We work directly with utilities and cities to help them maintain their right of way in a tree-sensitive manner.
Our 40-year partnership has fundamentally shaped our business venture. Although we are self-funded, I hold a majority ownership, a decision by Mark to underscore our equal commitment and shared journey in this long-term endeavor. It was a bold gesture, signifying our teamwork and mutual support.
In our work with Plant Growth Management Systems, we've seen the vast potential of biochar to impact soil health significantly, benefiting both small-scale gardeners and large-scale farming operations. While working with municipal trees in cities, we noticed a recurring issue: many newly planted trees, despite substantial budget allocations for urban forestry, had low survival rates, sometimes only 20% to 30%. This is far from acceptable. These trees were often planted in inadequate conditions, exposed to pollutants like petroleum, and placed in spaces with minimal soil support, which we've termed "tree coffins." This environment severely limits their root system development and overall growth.
Moreover, trees in urban settings face additional challenges, such as drought, despite irrigation systems, because trees aren't naturally meant to grow in isolation. Our observation is that urban forestry is crucial for the health of communities and the environment, yet the success of these trees often boils down to the quality of the soil and root system support. This highlighted the importance of considering soil conditions and the potential of biochar in enhancing urban green spaces.
Abby: As a producer of biochar products, how would you explain the importance of biochar to someone unfamiliar with the concept?
Laurie: In explaining the importance of biochar to someone unfamiliar with it, whether it's a hobby gardener or a large-scale farmer, the key point is its role in improving soil structure. Biochar, with its longevity of 6 to 800 years, adds structure to soil through its porosity. This porosity allows biochar to absorb and slowly release nutrients like magnesium or calcium, benefiting soil biology and, consequently, plant health. It enhances water retention, organic matter, and aeration in the soil.
Furthermore, biochar boosts soil biology, which in turn can reduce soil compaction and nutrient leaching, allowing for more efficient use of fertilizers. It promotes soil aggregation, improving water percolation and reducing compaction. This is achieved through the biofilm created by bacteria and the glue-like substance produced by fungi, which binds soil particles together.
Biochar isn't just beneficial; it's a return to natural processes where carbon was added to the soil through fires, enhancing its structure and fertility. In modern times, biochar offers a way to reintroduce these beneficial properties to our soils in a controlled manner, supporting overall soil health and plant growth.
Abby: Can you share the story behind founding American BioChar Company?
Laurie: The founding of American BioChar Company was driven by our firsthand experiences and the need to innovate in the face of challenges. Initially, we faced resistance from government entities and a lack of established guidelines for biochar use, compelling us to pioneer our own path. Our journey involved extensive testing of soils across the U.S., from California to New York and even internationally in places like Haiti, due to the absence of prior work to build upon.
Like I mentioned earlier, self-funding from our other company, Plant Growth Management Systems, which has been operating for 25 years, allowed us to pursue this venture. Our work in cities, dealing with municipal trees, highlighted the dire survival rates of newly planted trees due to poor soil conditions and environmental stressors like petroleum exposure. This led us to explore solutions for enhancing urban soil quality to support healthy root growth and tree survival.
Our discovery that biochar could improve urban soil by absorbing contaminants and retaining water marked a turning point. Incorporating biochar into planting programs showed promising results, significantly improving the potential for tree health and longevity. Collaborating with cities like Saint Louis and arborists in Michigan, we've seen the positive impact of integrating biochar into urban forestry practices, demonstrating its value in supporting a healthier environment.
Abby: What were some of the initial challenges you faced in developing biochar products at American BioChar Company, and how did you overcome them?
Laurie: Initially, there was a lack of information available. We had to conduct our own research and faced resistance from government entities before biochar became more accepted. The development process was complex; understanding the correct application rates for biochar wasn't straightforward. Being early in the biochar field meant we had to pioneer our own path, which, despite the lack of funding, was something we were prepared for and ultimately embraced.
Abby: In your role and experiences within the biochar industry, how do you actively foster gender equity and cultivate an inclusive community, particularly encouraging the participation and leadership of women in this field?
Laurie: My advice for women is to find or create a community. For example, we've engaged with the cannabis industry, where there's a growing appreciation for biochar. This interaction led to the creation of an event for women in this sector, initially focused on cannabis. It has evolved into what we now call "Soil Sisters," a network supporting women involved in all aspects of this field, whether they're directly getting their hands dirty or supporting those who do, through sales, insurance, banking, marketing, or other services. As we enter our third year, we aim to not only foster professional networking but also emphasize the importance of self-care, reminding each other to "put the air mask on yourself before helping others." This initiative is about creating a supportive community for women in biochar and related fields, and I'm excited to see where it leads.