Build living soil.
Sequester carbon.
Restore land.
By Kelpie Wilson — mechanical engineer, Chelsea Green author, and inventor of the Ring of Fire Kiln®. Practical biochar for farms, forests and homesteads.
Engineer, author
& biochar pioneer
Based on her homestead in southwest Oregon, Kelpie has spent nearly two decades researching and applying biochar for forests, farms, municipalities and communities across the US.
Practical, grounded and deeply informed by real soil science — she is the author of The Biochar Handbook, published by Chelsea Green, and inventor of the Ring of Fire Biochar Kiln®.
Read the full story →The Biochar Garden — The Garden of Eatin’
“When it comes to climate change, let’s change our perspective: from ‘too much carbon in the air’ to ‘not enough carbon in the soil.'”— Kelpie Wilson, The Biochar Handbook
Everything you need
to work with biochar
Twenty years of knowledge distilled into practical tools — equipment, books and courses that work together from backyard homestead to full farm scale.
The Biochar Handbook
Nearly 20 years of knowledge distilled into hundreds of actionable tips for growers at every scale — from garden beds to commercial farms.
Biochar as a Business
There’s a gap in the biochar world — and this course closes it. How to build a business around charring biomass as a service. 8 modules, 7 weeks. Oct–Nov 2026.
Practical Biochar Course
20 hours of expert-led training covering biochar chemistry, kiln design, soil application, animals, compost and healing the earth.
Ring of Fire Biochar Kiln®
Efficient, clean and portable enough to fit in a Subaru. Converts waste wood and forest debris into stable, soil-building biochar.
and beginners alike
“A brief yet thorough introduction to the history, science, and practicalities of biochar-making and its tremendous potential to restore degraded soils. Highly recommended.”
David R. Montgomery — Author of Dirt and Growing a Revolution“This is by far the best book on biochar I’ve ever seen — everyone from newbies to those who have been in the industry for years will learn a lot.”
Kathleen Draper — Co-author of Burn · Former International Biochar Initiative Board Chair“Students were more excited about biochar at the end than at the start — and well equipped to spread awareness and put it to work. Kelpie is a true pioneer in this field.”
Liz Dupont-Diehl — Course Student
Work directly
with Kelpie.
Get clear answers for your land, your soil and your specific situation — from one of the world’s most experienced biochar practitioners.
One hour. Real advice. Paid at booking so your session is confirmed and ready to go.
Notes from
the field.
Biochar science, soil experiments, homestead life and regenerative wisdom — Kelpie’s Substack, updated here automatically.
All articles →
Does Biochar Hold Water?
Exploring biochar’s water-holding capacity and what it really means for soil health, carbon markets and the future of regenerative farming.
Save the Nitrogen
Biochar to the Rescue — how biochar helps retain nitrogen in soil, reducing loss and improving fertility for the long term.
Landraces and the Race to Plant
Spring madness at home and abroad — Kelpie on seed saving, landrace varieties and the urgent rhythm of planting season.
