Northeast Biochar Association (United States)

The Northeast Biochar Association, the new group conceived at the Northeast Biochar Symposium at Amherst Massachusetts last November, has announced that it is formally organized and incorporated, and is seeking members. The 13 founding Board members represent most of the New England States, New York, and Pennsylvania. NEBA has adopted as its mission "To advance the ethical use and creation of biochar".  

In pursuit of this mission, NEBA President and Board Chair Peter Hirst has announced three new initiatives. First, NEBA is sponsoring the Northeast Research and Development Initiative, led by Dr. Hugh McLaughlin, a group of biochar researchers and innovators who also joined forces at Amherst to develop biochar technology, applications and standards. Second, NEBA's first public appearance will be at the Ecological Landscaping Association Conference on February 25 at the MassMutual center in Springfield Mass. This Conference will feature a number of biochar exhibits, including an IBI booth and a display of the newest Mobile Adam Retort.

The Association's third planned activity will be a three-day presentation, training and demonstration program at SolarFest in Tinmouth Vermont, July 16, 17, and 18. At Solarfest, NEBA will sponsor an information and sales booth, several tent presentations, and a continuous series of demonstrations and hands-on workshops, including pyrotechnics, at the outdoor Biochar Theater set up specially for the purpose.

As Board member Dr. Kelli Roberts puts it "we see ourselves as the nucleus of  a web of people and organizations working to build ethical and sustainable biochar systems in our region".

The Association welcomes members who would like to be an active part of this growing nucleus, and participate in its ambitious program of exploration and innovation in the use and creation of biochar. For more information email peter@newenglandbiochar.org.