The Ultimate Guide to Biochar: How to Make it, How to Use it, and Why it is Important

Hi, I’m Paul Morris, a restoration ecologist. My partner, Sophia Ortiz, is an agronomist. Together, we’ve spent years working with communities to regenerate ecosystems, restore degraded lands, and apply practical, low-cost methods for healing the Earth.

In this guide, we’ll focus on biochar —what it is, how to make it, how to use it, and why it’s so valuable. This is the written version of a video series we created to make the process accessible to anyone, whether you're on a small farm, in a rural village or want to do something good for your garden and the health of your soil.

We'll show you how to make biochar using different methods. Our first episodes focus on using a Kon-Tiki kiln and the Ortiz oil barrel method, both of which can be built or adapted with materials available in most places. These methods don’t require big machines or expensive inputs. They’re based on turning waste biomass into something regenerative—carbon-rich, soil-enhancing, and locally valuable.

As you read this guide, you'll find a blend of practical instructions, scientific insights, and global examples. Each chapter is crafted to help you take action immediately and understand how your efforts fit into the bigger picture of ecosystem restoration and land stewardship. Let’s begin our journey by looking at biochar and why it matters.