Citizen Science Work

We currently have three research projects under way - Remediating Lead & Arsenic Soils, the Biochar Research Project, and the Growing Under Cover Workgroup.

Remediating Lead & Arsenic Soils

Lead and arsenic contamination of urban soils is a major obstacle to the expansion of urban agriculture and to families growing healthy food in their own backyards. Traditional approaches of exporting contaminated soils and importing new soil is not a sustainable approach in the long-term. We need to lear methods for remediating soil on-site. The PRI Research and Demonstration team is currently researching techniques being used throughout the world to discover innovative and promising approaches. We are looking forward to sharing our findings and working wit communities yo test out various approaches.

Biochar Research Project – Crop Productivity and Carbon Sequestration Trials

What is Biochar?
Biochar is charcoal created from plant or woody residues. Incorporating biochar into the soil increases water retention, improves soil structure, and provides beneficial nutrients. From an important environmental standpoint, biochar also sequesters carbon dioxide, lessening the effects of global warming. While biochar may be new to many, indigenous biochar soil management between 450 BC and 950 AD is widely believed to be the reason that agricultural Amazon basin slopes are extremely fertile. In fact, the soil is called Terra Preta, which means “black earth” in Portuguese. Recent biochar research has shown increased yields within 1-2 years.

Who is involved?
Partners including the Minneapolis Biomass Exchange, Earthtech Energy, and Ecoera (of Sweden) will create the biochar using a local, low-cost, pyrolysis chamber. The pyrolosis process is a controlled, clean-emission, partial combustion process in an oxygen-deprived environment. One can think of it as fire in a can. Instead of burning down to ash as an open fire would, the closed pyrolysis chamber creates char. The partnering team will test several different feedstocks including grass clippings, disposable wood residues, corn cobs, and others.

PRI Cold Climate is collaborating with the partners to conduct site trials of different biochar fieldstocks. This fall we are starting greenhouse and backyard site trials. If you are interested in being part of the initial trials, please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information.

To learn more about biochar, visit the International Biochar Initiative.

Growing Undercover Workgroup

If you have a hoop house, greenhouse, or growing frame and are interested in season extension and increasing local seed and plant production, join with like-minded folks to tackle these challenges together! 

Visit or join the Growing Under Cover Google group.
http://groups.google.com/group/growing-under-cover