Goal: Determine if there is enough scientific information to develop a more general statement about its benefits for an implementation guidance document.

7:30                 Breakfast

8:30                 Overview of meeting and introductions –  Kristin Trippe

8:45                 National Program Perspective– Marlen Eve

8:55                 The status of biochar research:Recent advances and barriers to deploying biochar amendments in agricultural soils – Johannes Lehmann

9:20                 Group Discussion (Facilitated by Holly Prendeville and Kristin Trippe)

10:15               Break

10:30               How much biomass is there? Jim Archuleta

10:50               What is the market status of biochar?– Tom Miles

11:10               How can biochar promote ecosystem recovery? Mark Johnson

11:30               Group Discussion

12:30               Lunch

Afternoon Breakout Sessions                                                                                          Note: Refinement and specific tasks/areas will result from morning discussion

Groups:

• Biochar Production (Lead: Jim Archuleta)
• Soil Health and Biochar microbial effects (Lead: Claire Phillips, Research Soil Scientist, ARS, Corvallis, OR)
• Biochar – Abiotic effects (environment/chemistry/physics…) (Lead: Isabel Lima, Research Chemist, ARS, New Orleans, LA)
• Plant effects

1:30                 Rumsfeld analysis part I: Identifying known knowns.

What are the fundamental scientific principles or ideas that have emerged from biochar research?

What generalizations can we provide the public regarding biochar applications?

3:00                 Break

3:30                 Present findings from each group and discuss.

5:00                 Adjourn to Hotel (dinner on your own)