The University of Nebraska–Lincoln Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, the Nebraska Forest Service and the Nebraska Biochar Initiative were hosting folks passionate about the future of biochar at the first Great Plains Biochar Conference, which was held from September 24 to September 26, 2024 in Lincoln, NE. The Nebraska Center for Energy Sciences Research (NCESR) was also a sponsor of the conference and provides funding through the collaboration with the Nebraska Public Power District to Michael Kaiser’s UNL project titled, Co-application of biochar and biosolids for carbon sequestration and sustainable soil management in urban-agricultural landscapes.
Over two days more than 70 attendees from across the Midwest and beyond took the opportunity to engage and discuss the growing environmental and socio-economic relevance of biochar as a promising multi-purpose material. The conference brought together professionals working with biochar in sectors such as research, education, governmental programs, policy support, agricultural and urban applications, material characterization, organics recycling, soil and water remediation, carbon sequestration, and biochar economics. The broad spectrum of attendees working with biochar was reflected in 29 oral and poster presentations and one panel discussion throughout the conference. The conference team including Kim Slezak, Frank Uhlarik, Nash Leef, and Michael Kaiser are now looking forward to establishing the conference as a biochar discussion and innovation hub to support the growing relevance of biochar in the Great Plains.