Recipient Organization
BLUE EARTH LLC
10917 HIGH POINT DR
MANHATTAN,KS 66503
Performing Department
(N/A)
Non Technical Summary
Multi-billion dollar investments in Climate Smart partnerships were initiated by the USDA in 2023. Eastern red cedar (ERC) in Kansas and the region is a ubiquitous resource that has been highlighted as an environmental concern, but is often not beneficially utilized. On-farm biomass waste is common as part of farm operations. Biochar market analysis has indicated that integration of biochar into plant growth media blends, especially Climate Smart solutions that are peat-less and perlite-less, to grow specialty crops is a research need and market opportunity, and demonstrations of its various formulations in specialty crop growth trials is highly desired. Co-composting of biochar with other biomass sources has been shown to improve the bioavailability of nutrients to various crops and improve their health and production-sometimes many-fold. Commercial peat and perlite blends of plant growth media are carbon-positive (net carbon source) and degrade habitat. Biochar-integrated plant growth media can be formulated and distributed in ways that make them carbon-negative (net carbon sink). Blue Earth proposes testing of formulations of various ERC-biochar based blends co-composted with on-farm biomass wastes through plant growth trials of 30 varieties of specialty crops to determine the feasibility of establishing a Climate Smart recipe for use by small, rural and urban farms in the Central Kansas Food Corridor. A Co-op/ Food-Hub model will be explored with the existing and expanding farmer membership and partnership network within the Central Kansas Food Corridor for cooperative Commercialization opportunities. Informational brochures, news articles, surveys and newsletters will be used to provide outreach to targeted partner audiences regarding project outcomes and to assess interest in development of a Climate Smart Co-op- that produces, uses and sells the PGM and its commodities beginning in the Central Kansas Food Corridor and to support the Food-Hub which exists there and is expanding.
Animal Health Component
80%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
0%
Applied
80%
Developmental
20%
Goals / Objectives
The major goals of the project are as follows:1) Integration of eastern red cedar (ERC)biochar and on-farm biomass waste into plant growth media (PGM)formulations to createanthropogenic plant growth media (PGM)like terra preta to support Phase 1 efforts;2) Evaluation of the "best" formulation ofPGM (Agri-Cul-Char) relative to commercial blends through plant growth trials and statistical analyses of PGM formulations and resultant specialty crop production;3) Detailed analyses of the PGM, leaf chlorophyll (CHL) content, leaf area index, plant tissue content, and certified biochar metrics to document the "best" formulation of PGM and ensure its quality and safety;4) Evaluation of thirty (30) varieties and eight (8) types of specialty crop plants using various PGM formulations andinput into Pro Forma financial projections for specialty crop production by small farmers to support Phase 2 and Commercialization efforts;5) Synthesis of results into marketing and sales materials based on summary of the above scientific analyses for the "best" PGM formulation which will be called Agri-Cul-Char;6) Development of Commercialization Plan, Pro Forma financial projections, and proprietary secrets to support competitive Phase 2 efforts and support development of Co-op interests;7) Assessment of farmer and partnership interests in production of Climate SmartPGM and commodities and exploration of a Co-op/Food-Hub model for marketing and sales in the Central Kansas Food Corridor, leading to Commercialization opportunities;8) On-farm success story/ demonstration showcasing Phase 1 project outcomes to support Phase 2 efforts which includes planting recommendations and financials for outreach to potential Co-op Partners.The specific technical objectives of the projects are as follows:1) Produce six (6) PGM formulations which utilize ERC biochar to test against two (2) controls in plant growth trials of eight (8) plant types, thirty (30) varieties, and 1392 plants; best formuation called Agri-Cul-Char;2) Plant and grow 1392 plants in a modulated environment hoophouse and/or raised beds;3) Monitor growing conditions (temperature and humidity) daily and plant growth and health of all plants including weeklyphoto-documentation of plant biomass with a NDVI camera and monthly measurements ofleaf area index (LAI) and leaf CHL content;4)Monitor produce yields from fruits, vegetables, and cut flower stems for yield response;5) After harvest (post-plant-growth-trial), analyze subsamples of all thirty varieties' plant tissuevfor nutrients, micronutrientsm and total C and N compared to controls;6) After plant tissue analysis and also based on statistical analysis of weekly/monthly plant growth documentation, yield and biomass measurements, select one (1) of the six (6) PGMvformulations for bioassay (plant germination testing), soil-compost testing andcertified-biochar testing relative to controls;7) Summarize plant growth, plant tissue, plant germination, yield, biomass and soil-compost testing with descriptive statistics and ANOVA as applicable;8) Evaluate results of certified-biochar testing for all PGM formulations relative to control to identify quality relative to toxicant risks;9) Integrate all Phase 1 results into a Pro Forma financial projections and Commercialization Plan to be advanced to Phase 2 and future commercialization efforts in cooperation with Larta Instittue,Kansas Farmers Union and Common Ground Producers and Growers;10)Survey Kansas Farmers Union (KFU) and Common Ground (CG) farmer memberships and existing Food-Hub/ Co-op growers/producers, aggregators and partnerships within the Central Kansas Food Corridor to assess interest in cooperative production, use of, marketing and sales of Agri-Cul-Char and producing Climate Smart (CS)produce and specialty products from it to support the Food-Hub & partner interests with Recommendations to BE;
Project Methods
The following methods will be used:PGM Inputs and Formulations:BE will utilize a mix ofERC-biochar, cattle/horse/chicken manure, sunflower/hemp stocks, seed meals and grain husks, pumice, sand, deciduous wood chips, mycorrhizal fungi, clay/gypsumto develop 6formulations of PGM. Mixes will be proportionally measured and controlled.PGM, Plant and Weather Conditions: Temperature and humidity of thehoophouse and raised beds will be recorded on a daily time step using an automated weather station with built-in thermometer and hygrometer. Daily temperature and humidity readings will be averaged on a daily time-step. PGM and plant conditions will be observed daily and PGM/plant watering will be supplied as needed based on moisture testing with the same amounts ofwater supplied to each plant variety.Leaf Area Index (LAI): An Accupar LP-80 LAIMeterwill be used to non-destructively measure LAI of all 1392 plants monthly during the growing period, with adjustments due to light conditions as needed.Chlorophyll Meter: An atLEAF CHL Meter will be used to nondestructively measure the relative CHL content of all 1392 plants monthly. We will select three of the uppermost fully expanded leaves of the plant to record the CHL concentration; three measurements of each leaf on each side of the plant midrib will be recorded at solar noon.NDVI Photo Documentation: BE will photograph all 1392 plants weekly to estimate their actively photosynthesizing biomass with an NDVI camera. Weekly NDVI photos will visually document the "health" of the 1392 plants relative to their experimental block throughout the growing period and biomass assessed relative to LAI.Yields of Fruits, Vegetables and Cut Flowers: For all fruits, vegetables, and cut flowers that yield, wet weights of fruits and vegetables and dry weights of cut flowers at time of harvest will be recorded.Subsamplng PGM (Pre-trial): A subsample of all 6 formualtions after co-composting and 2 controls will be ccllected prior toplant growth trials. Composite samples will collected after throrough mixing and homogenization. First, 8 composite subsamples (one from each PGM formulation and controls) will be submitted for off-site potting mix analyses and improvement recommendations, including seed germination and vigor. Based on outcomes, each PGM formulation witll adjusted to address improvement recommendations. Composite subsamples from each of the 6 PGM formulations will be submitted for plant growth media/compost analyses at an off-site laboratry to evaluate PGM quality prior to plant growth trials. Additionally, all 6 PGM formulations and 1 control (commercial PGM with biochar) will be will be analyzed for biochar quality using IBI-certified methods for testing Category Test A parameters and PAHs.Subsampling Plant Tissues (Post-trial): A subsample of leaves and stems will be composited by each plant variety(30) from "best" PGM formulation for off-site plant tissue to assess plant health and quality.Diameters of main stems will be measured at a "representative," standardized height (midpoint of stem) for each plant (1392 plants) at time of subsampling plant tissues.Off-site Lab Analyses (Plant Tissues, Soil/Compost, Biochar): Composite subsamples (30) collected from each plant variety x best PGM formluation will be submitted for off-site plant tissue lab analysis. Sample preparation (grinding and acid digestion) will be performed at the off-site lab and then all plant tissue samples analyzed for P, K, Ca, Mg, Mn, Fe, Cu, B, Al, Zn, Na, S and Mo and heavy metal risks (as applicable)using standardized methods for Inductively Coupled Plasma and Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). Additionally, Total C and N will be analyzed for plant tissue samples by standardized dry combustion analysis. The results of the lab analysis for plant tissues by type will be compared and interpreted relative to recommendations for nutrient levels for each palnt variety. Composite subsamples (6) collected from each PGM/control formulation will be submitted for off-site lab analyses of STA compost council pacakge parameters and humic acid. A bioassay of the allPGM/control formulations will be conducted at the off-site lab to screen for the presence of phytotoxins in PGM based on seedling emergence and growth of seedlings (vigor) forPGM formulationrelative to control. Additionally, PGM respiration tests of CO2 evolution will be conducted to evaluate microbial activity. All PGM/control formulation analysis will follow standard methods outlined in "Test Methods for the Examination of Composting and Compost."A composite subsampleof the each PGM and onecontrol (commecrial PGM with biochar)will be submitted for IBI-certified lab analysis to the an off-site labto perform all Biochar Category Test A components (pH, electrical conductivity, anions, calcium carbonate equivalent, bulk density, particle density, butane activity, burn fractions), and PAHsfrom Category Test B.Data Analysis and Statistics: The 1392 plants will be grouped by type and variety and will be located randomly as replicatesof six (6) PGM formulations and two controls within each type and variety block in a complete randomized block design. Descriptive statistics : Descriptive statisticswill be performed for all on-site measurements (leaf CHL content, LAI, NDVI)monthly over the course of the plant growth trials. Additionally, descriptive statistics will be performed on the cumulative yield of fruits, vegetables and cut flowers and diameter of main stems of plants at the time of harvest. A reference graph of off-site composite analysis of plant tissue, soil/compost and diameter of main stems and biochar analysis will also be performed. ANOVA : Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) using the RCBD model will be performed for all on-site measurements (leaf CHL content, LAI, NDVI) monthly over the course of the plant growth trials. Additionally ANOVA of RCBD will be performed on the cumulative yield of fruits, vegetables and cut flowers and diameter of main stems of plants at thetime of harvest.Biomass for all 1392 plants will be estimated based on results of NDVI photo values (representing all photosynthetically active plant parts for all plant varieties) relative to a regression equaltions developed from LAI/ leaf CHL content values.Plant biomass for all 1392 plants will be estimated monthly.Plant biomass estimates will be evaluated withdescriptive statistics and ANOVA using the RCBD model.Survey of Co-op Interest: Kansas Farmers Union (KFU) willwork with its farmer membership, Common Ground Producers and Growers (CG) and the existing partnership and farmer network in the Central Kansas Food Corridor to survey and evaluate interest in utilizing and producing and utilizinga CS PGM like Agri-Cul-Char on their farms to support CS intensive production for the CG Food-Hub and Market. The farmer network would also be surveyed regarding their willingness to produce Agri-Cul-Char recipe on-farm for sales and marketing through a Co-op or the existing Food-Hubin the Central Kansas Food Corridor. KFU willutilize results of the survey and evaluation to inform BE with respect to development of a Commercialization Plan for phase 2 proposal. BE and Larta will develop and assess Pro Forma financial projections for PGM and specialty crops for small farmers based on results of Phase 1 efforts, and provide them to KFU and CG.