Our day begins at 11 a.m. at 489 Champion Drive, the former Canton sawmill site, now owned by Suncrest Mulch.

Owners John and Susan Fletcher will explain how biochar is produced and discuss the demonstration plots growing in Canton that compare traditional soil with soil enhanced by biochar.

Biochar is created by heating timber under extremely low-oxygen conditions. The result is a soil amendment that can dramatically improve growing conditions while creating a productive use for storm debris.

“Not only does biochar create a marketable product from the enormous amount of timber left behind after Hurricane Helene, it can absorb up to 10 times its weight in water, helping during drought conditions, while permanently storing carbon that would otherwise return to the atmosphere,” Hyatt said.