Advancing On-Farm Biochar Production and Practices

Climate Spheres, in partnership with Aqualate Farm and Harper Adams University, is proud to have been awarded a Defra grant delivered by Innovate UK to collaborate on a groundbreaking project to explore on-farm biochar production and application, as part of the Farming Innovation Programme Research Starter 3 Competition.

In close collaboration with our project partners, this project will assess the full lifecycle of producing, nutrient charging, and applying biochar within a working mixed arable and livestock farm. Our aim is to understand the practicalities, costs, labour, and environmental impacts involved, and ultimately to develop a toolkit of resources that can help other farmers integrate biochar into their own businesses.

By conducting a Life Cycle Assessment, developing a financial model, and engaging with the practical and logistical challenges, Climate Spheres will rigorously evaluate biochar’s potential to integrate into existing farm practices, improve sustainability, and possibly generate carbon credits to offset costs or boost farm income.

This project builds on a feasibility study into on-farm biochar production, completed last year as a partnership between Climate Spheres and Aqualate, supported by the School of Sustainable Food and Farming. 

This work is urgently needed. UK agricultural soils are degraded, farm finances are stressed, and climate change is threatening yields. Through this project, we hope to build the evidence base needed to support more resilient, profitable, and climate-smart farming practices.

Stay tuned as we share updates from the farm and results from our analysis! 

To learn more about Climate Spheres, our work on sustainable agriculture, and to explore working together on future projects, please connect with us via our Contact page.