Florida’s ag industry is nothing if not creative and resourceful. Present a problem to a farmer, and their solution will often involve some unconventional thinking. That ingenuity is what continues to open the door to new possibilities across the industry.
During the recent Highlands County Ag Tour, that mindset was on full display. Zack Farr, Jeff Williams, and Joseph Neilsen of Biotech Applied Research shared an innovative way to repurpose diseased citrus wood that can ultimately give back to the industry.
Their team is using mobile contained-burning machines to pyrolyze the citrus waste onsite, converting abandoned citrus groves into biochar, a rich carbon material that benefits soil and water management. The process locks the carbon in a stable form that can be used to enhance soil by improving its ability to hold water and nutrients in the root zone. It can also improve soil structure and create an ideal environment for beneficial soil microbes.
According to the BAR team, this biochar could prove to be an invaluable resource for soil industries, nurseries, and growers because of its impressive water and nutrient retention. Williams, who is also a citrus grower, is currently testing the material on a portion of his citrus grove in Highlands County. Additionally, biochar is being tested in strawberry and watermelon fields.
While the process is still new and the company is in its early stages, Biotech Applied Research hopes their technology can transform abandoned groves into a rich resource that supports future agriculture.
To learn more about the process and possibilities, visit biotechappliedresearch.org.