This project promotes biochar and supports landowners and sustainable forest management

North Carolina State University received a $441,886 Project Grant from the USDA Forest Service under the Wood Utilization Assistance program (CFDA 10.674), awarded September 19, 2025, with a completion date of September 18, 2030. The project promotes biochar production and supports sustainable forest management by showcasing biochar applications derived from mobile equipment, such as the CharBoss unit, in stormwater management and soil amendment applications. The initiative will demonstrate the economic and ecological benefits of biochar while assessing the relationship between feedstock quality and biochar properties to provide critical data for optimizing biochar applications.

This award aligns with the Wood Innovations program's focus on expanding wood products and wood energy markets while supporting hazardous fuel reduction and sustainable forest management. By evaluating biochar derived from forest residues and low-value wood feedstocks, the project supports the broader national objective of strengthening the forest products industry and advancing emerging applications in renewable wood energy and technological development.

Biochar, derived from mobile equipment, such as the charboss, will be showcased in stormwater management and soil amendment, including its economic and ecological benefits. The project will assess the relationship between feedstock quality and biochar properties, providing critical data to optimize biochar applications.