By Scout Nelson
The University of Nebraska-Lincoln are extending their biochar research from experimental plots to working farms, creating connections between ranchers removing invasive eastern redcedar and farmers interested in using biochar as a soil amendment. Their efforts aim to turn an environmental challenge into a practical agricultural solution.
The second annual Biochar Field Day will take place on November 3, 2026, near Conestoga Lake outside Denton, Nebraska. The event will bring together farmers, ranchers, educators, tree care professionals, and community members to learn about biochar production, its agricultural benefits, and the use of eastern redcedar as a valuable feedstock.
Biochar is a carbon-rich material created through pyrolysis, a process that heats organic matter in a low-oxygen environment. Studies conducted by the University of Nebraska–Lincoln have shown that biochar can improve soil health by increasing carbon and nitrogen retention, enhancing water-holding capacity, and reducing organic waste.
The research is particularly relevant because eastern redcedar continues to spread across Nebraska and the Great Plains. The invasive species threatens native grasslands, reduces available forage for livestock, and increases wildfire risks, making effective management strategies increasingly important.
Instead of treating removed redcedar as waste, researchers and producers are exploring ways to convert the trees into biochar. This approach not only helps address environmental concerns but also creates a useful product that can support more sustainable crop production.
A highlight of the field day will be a live demonstration of a mobile Charboss unit operated by Sandhills Biochar. Participants will see how biochar is produced and gain practical knowledge about equipment, production methods, and potential on-farm applications.
According to Michael Kaiser, associate professor in agronomy and horticulture at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, “The field day is part of a broader effort to build a farmer-rancher network to scale up redcedar-derived biochar production and application.”
The event is also intended to foster collaboration among producers, researchers, and industry partners. Organizers believe that sharing knowledge and building partnerships will help expand biochar adoption while supporting long-term solutions to eastern redcedar encroachment.
Attendees are encouraged to carpool and come prepared for an outdoor event by bringing water, lunch, and a camp chair. Closed-toe shoes or boots are also recommended.
The Biochar Field Day is hosted by the Department of Agronomy and Horticulture and the Reinkordt Family, with support from the Nebraska Forest Service, Sandhills Biochar, and the Nebraska Biochar Initiative.
For registration visit here.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-stockseller_ukr
Categories: Nebraska, Crops, Education, Sustainable Agriculture