Engineer.
Author.
Biochar Pioneer.
Mechanical engineer, Chelsea Green author, forest advocate, journalist and inventor of the Ring of Fire Biochar Kiln® — Kelpie Wilson has spent two decades at the intersection of fire, soil and regenerative land practice.
A life at the frontier
of regenerative practice
Engineer & Early Innovator
After earning her BS in Mechanical Engineering from California State University, Chico, Kelpie worked on Stirling-cycle heat engines — cutting-edge renewable energy technology. She had already worked as an auto mechanic in Austin, Texas, giving her a hands-on technical foundation that would define her career.
Off-Grid Homesteader & Forest Advocate
As an off-grid homesteader in southwest Oregon, Kelpie designed and installed her own home power system using solar photovoltaics and small hydropower. She also served as executive director of the Siskiyou Regional Education Project, advocating for forest protection across the region.
Environmental Journalist
Turning to journalism, Kelpie wrote for online news sources and magazines covering environment and energy. In 2007, she learned about biochar and attended the first Agrichar Conference in New South Wales, Australia — where 100 soil scientists, climate scientists and farmers united to start the International Biochar Initiative.
Joins the International Biochar Initiative
Hired by the IBI as a technical writer, Kelpie was able to ask top researchers like Johannes Lehmann and Stephen Joseph all her questions about biochar and how it works. She later moved to a project developer position, managing the multi-stakeholder process to create the first biochar standards and testing guidelines.
Co-Founds the US Biochar Initiative
One of the founding board members of what is now the American Biochar Institute, Kelpie remained on the board until 2022 — helping shape the direction of the US biochar industry through its formative years.
NRCS Conservation Innovation Grant
As principal investigator, Kelpie worked with a dozen small farmers to develop techniques for making biochar from on-farm resources and using it to manage manure for nutrient retention in soil — one of the most practical biochar field research projects undertaken in the US.
Invents the Ring of Fire Kiln® & Builds the Network
Kelpie pioneered the Flame Cap Kiln biochar technology for use by forestry contractors, arborists, woodland owners and farmers, and invented the Ring of Fire Biochar Kiln®. She also formed the Biochar in the Woods committee, building a national network of practitioners making biochar on site for landowners.
The Biochar Handbook Published by Chelsea Green
The culmination of nearly two decades of research, fieldwork and writing — The Biochar Handbook went to number one in Soil Science on Amazon. In 2025, Kelpie presented a live nine-session course based on the Handbook, now available on demand.
“We are burning anyway, so why not do it better?”— Kelpie Wilson, The Biochar Prepper
“I am interested in keeping this resource alive for whoever becomes indigenous here in the future.”— Kelpie Wilson, The Biochar Prepper
“Every molecule of carbon retained in biochar is a molecule that does not form unhealthy particulates in the air or add to the overload of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.”— Kelpie Wilson, New Biochar Burn Pile Guidelines
Kelpie Wilson — in the field
Early days — learning and teaching prescribed fire and biochar production in the Pacific Northwest
Biochar Garden
The Garden of Eatin’
“My garden is better than ever, truly a Garden of Eatin’. My garden partners and I are able to produce almost all of the vegetables that our families eat, plus lots of extra to give away and trade.”
“We can return to the Garden of Eatin’ and we can start with what is right under our feet, wherever we are. The good news is that the carbon we need in soils has not gone anywhere, it is still here in Earth’s atmosphere. Every one of us has the ability to work with plants to help them draw down this carbon to grow beautiful gardens again.”
— Kelpie Wilson, The Biochar HandbookStill burning,
still learning.
Based on her homestead in southwest Oregon, Kelpie continues to experiment with biochar in composting, manure management and gardening. She presents workshops each year bringing practical biochar technology to end users — both in person and online.
She has appeared on dozens of online symposia and podcasts, and continues to build the Biochar On Site network, which meets monthly to exchange information and opportunities with a growing community of practitioners worldwide.
A new course focused on the business of making biochar on site is in development — alongside ongoing field research and writing through The Biochar Prepper on Substack.
All links & social media →
Ready to go deeper?
Take the Practical Biochar Course, read The Biochar Handbook, book a consulting session, or order a Ring of Fire Kiln.