USDA ARS Collaboration

Cold Steppe has begun working with the United States Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service (USDA ARS) and local Arkansas farms. This collaboration is to assist in the measurement of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and assess the environmental impact of biochar as a soil amendment beyond the initial sequestration at the time of application.

Cold Steppe plans to provide empirical evidence of biochar’s benefits in reducing GHG emissions and enhancing soil health.

Collaborating with USDA ARS

The USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) is the principal in-house research agency of the USDA, dedicated to finding solutions to agricultural problems that affect Americans every day. Cold Steppe’s work with USDA ARS will represents a significant step toward scientifically validating the environmental benefits of biochar. The planned collaboration will focus on conducting field trials and research to quantify the impact of biochar on GHG emissions in agricultural settings.

Rice, in particular, is the largest source of anthropogenic methane accounting for ~10% of global methane emissions.

USDA ARS brings extensive expertise in agricultural science, with multiple research sites in Arkansas.

Measuring GHG Emissions

A central component of this collaboration is the measurement of GHG emissions, particularly carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O), which are critical contributors to climate change. By incorporating biochar into the soil, the project aims to determine its effectiveness in reducing these emissions in both flooded field and Alternate Wetting and Drying practices. Biochar has the potential to sequester carbon/methane during the CH4 microbial production cycle, thereby reducing the amount of CO2e released into the atmosphere.

To accurately measure these effects, USDA ARS researchers use advanced monitoring equipment and methodologies across Arkansas rice production. The data collected in field trials will be able to provide valuable insights into the role of biochar in mitigating climate changing GHG emissions in rice production.

Impact and Next Steps

Cold Steppe’s planned collaboration with USDA ARS and local Arkansas farms will advance the understanding of biochar’s role in reducing GHG emissions and improving soil health. By combining scientific research with practical applications, this work will generate valuable data that will inform future agricultural practices and policies.